Behind the Lens of a Veteran Photojournalist: How to Tell More Compelling Stories Using Photos

Storytelling through Photos April 13, 2010

1 About Resource Media

Communications Strategy Media Outreach Campaigns Environmental Policy Focus

San Francisco Seattle Boulder Kalispell Sacramento 30 Staff 9 Ofﬁces Bozeman Portland Salt Lake City Anchorage

Overview: 2 Storytelling Basics Strategic Communications Taking Better Photos Sharing

Why do we tell stories? “Once upon a time…” “There was once a…” “A funny thing happened to me today…”

What makes a good story? Protagonist Mission Tension Resolution

Create a Lasting Impression Sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, vs. following the announcement of V---J Day. By Alfred Eisenstaedt

Communicate by showing, not telling =

Be Strategic Where do you want to go? How will this story and these images get us there?

Know your Audience •  Which audiences do you want to reach with these stories? Why? •  What do you want those audiences to do? •  What will move them to act?

What moves your audience? •  What do you want them to do? •  What will move them to act? •  Appeal to their values By Eric Hurt

Camera Controls 3 The Photo Story Compositional Techniques Advice from the Pros Editing & Cropping

Shutter Speed: Controls how long the exposure lasts Picture a stage curtain: The longer the curtain is open, the more the actors are exposed

Shutter Speed Affects: Action Fast shutter speed Slow shutter speed

Aperture: Controls how big a hole the light goes through Picture a culvert: The bigger the culvert, the more water gets through

Aperture Affects: Large Aperture Depth of ﬁeld Small Aperture

Landscape: Both foreground and background are in focus

Action: Fast shutter speed to freeze motion

Portrait: Only foreground in focus, background soft

Macro: Allows super close-ups

Nighttime Long exposure, followed by a ﬂash

The Photo Story •  Wide shot --- sets the scene •  Medium shot – the main action •  Tight shot – a detail By: W. Eugene Smith

The Photo Story: •  Wide shot --- sets the scene

The Photo Story: •  Medium shot – the main action

The Photo Story: •  Tight shot – a detail

Photo story: The Green River Clockwise from top left: scene-setter, main action, detail

Example: Photo story, EarthCorps Counter-clockwise from top: scene-setter, main action, detail

Show the world how you see it Compositional techniques: •  The decisive moment •  Fill the frame •  Perspective

“The Decisive Moment” "There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.” -- Cardinal de Retz, circa 1650

“The Decisive Moment” •  Set up your “architecture” and pounce •  Look for patterns and rhythms and anticipate Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The Decisive Moment” Which one is more compelling? By Thomas E. Franklin

Fill the Frame Think about what you leave in… …and what you leave out.

Fill the frame—without distractions Shish Kebab Amputated Background Clutter

Perspective Which one is more interesting?

Advice from the pros: “If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” - Robert Capa, killed by stepping on a mine

How many pictures should I take? Ask a National Geographic photographer: During seven weeks of shooting my recent story on wildﬁres, published in July 2008, I shot...12,000 images. National Geographic staff photographer Mark Thiessen

Editing You’re only as good as your worst photo Which one is best?

Cropping How would you crop this?

Cropping A decisive moment, ﬁlling the frame, with no distractions

Some “Don’ts” Don’t… • …be afraid to get close to your subjects. • …only shoot posed photos. • …put all your photos online – edit! • …make people stand with their backs against a wall for a headshot, blasting them with a ﬂash. • …use your ﬂash unless you have to – Mother Nature’s light it better.

•  Set your camera for the shot you’re trying to get (e.g., action, portrait, landscape, etc.) •  Remember the three elements of a photo story and seek Photo out shots that fulﬁll each element recap: •  Fill the frame with important stuff; leave out stuff that isn’t •  Look for candid, decisive moments •  Shoot a lot, but edit tightly, only showing your best work

Storytelling recap: Think about your audience •  What story do they need to hear? Who’s the hero? •  Personalize their story What’s the mission? •  Make it relatable Where’s the tension? •  Make it real Do you have a solution? •  Show it!

4 Sharing

Getting the word out What avenues would be most effective in reaching my target audience? What tools are available, as audiences and objectives change?

S h a r e

Some tools for your toolbox

Blogs - Most bloggers don’t have the budget to pay for photos. - Always provide them with the correct attribution and a caption. - Don’t send an attachment.

Pitching the media Timing is key—they want to see the action Ensure access to people and places Pay attention to photo credits Describe the photo opp. in the media advisory

Reuse & Recycle …Your Content!

Remember your goal and your •  audience •  Be purposeful with your photos In Conclusion… o Get close to your subjects (physically and emotionally) You’re only as good as your o  worst photo • Appeal to your audiences’ values Your photos aren’t good if no •  one can see them, so share.

Contact Information: Sian Wu: sian@resource-media.org Matt Brashears: mattb@resource-media.org Resource Media 159 Western Ave. W., Ste. 480 Seattle, WA 98119 206-374-7795

Behind the Lens of a Veteran Photojournalist: How to Tell More Compelling Stories Using Photos

by Resource Media

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