This document discusses how photographers can create compelling visuals for election reporting by going beyond standard photos of politicians at podiums or forums. It encourages photographers to arrive early and stay late to capture candid moments, engage in a "documentary approach" by following politicians' normal routines to reveal unscripted details, and "make action photos" that draw readers into the story. Coaxing politicians to show their authentic selves outside of scripted events can help readers connect with candidates on a personal level and better understand why they should care about them. Starting election coverage early allows time to research key events and edit photos to tell political stories visually in an impactful way.
19. The act of engaging with others
and showing honest emotion will
elevate the impact the photograph
has on your readers.
You want to draw your readers in
by using compelling visuals.
28. Coaxing the candidate
Simply going about their normal
routines can reveal little unscripted
moments that can tell volumes.
29. Coaxing the candidate
Simply going about their normal
routines can reveal little unscripted
moments that can tell volumes.
This is the documentary approach.
37. You can tell political stories visually.
Be there when the action happens.
38. You can tell political stories visually.
Be there when the action happens.
Shoot wide, medium and tight.
39. You can tell political stories visually.
Be there when the action happens.
Shoot wide, medium and tight.
Give yourself time before the deadlines.
40. You can tell political stories visually.
Research
Know about key events you can’t miss.
Shoot wide, medium and tight.
Give yourself time before the deadlines.
- edit
- talk with a colleague
- understand the story
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
Why might these images be expected? Photographing a human in place is easy. This is the expected script some people hope you settle for.
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
What are the expected photos of politicians?Politicians at podiumsPoliticians at forums
You have to go beyond the podium and Go beyond the candidate forum photography.
You have to go beyond the podium and Go beyond the candidate forum photography.
You have to go beyond the podium and Go beyond the candidate forum photography.
Now, there is a benefit to a forum. You an efficiently get mugshots of each person for the files. This archive of head shots will pay off daily. You can’t stop there.
Now, there is a benefit to a forum. You an efficiently get mugshots of each person for the files. This archive of head shots will pay off daily. You can’t stop there.
When I assign a forum or speaker, the last photo I hope to run is a podium photo. Photographers are coached to arrive early or stay after in order to photograph the person shaking hands or meeting with people.
When I assign a forum or speaker, the last photo I hope to run is a podium photo. Photographers are coached to arrive early or stay after in order to photograph the person shaking hands or meeting with people.
When I assign a forum or speaker, the last photo I hope to run is a podium photo. Photographers are coached to arrive early or stay after in order to photograph the person shaking hands or meeting with people.
When I assign a forum or speaker, the last photo I hope to run is a podium photo. Photographers are coached to arrive early or stay after in order to photograph the person shaking hands or meeting with people.
Fight the scripted event. Don’t settle for the candidate in front of a Banner Or flag
Fight the scripted event. Don’t settle for the candidate in front of a Banner Or flag
Fight the scripted event. Don’t settle for the candidate in front of a Banner Or flag. This is still
Can you convince candidates to let down their barriers?
What do the candidates do for fun? Do they have hobbies, families and jobs? What’s their history to the region? What makes them so special and why should your readers care about them?
What do the candidates do for fun? Do they have hobbies, families and jobs? What’s their history to the region? What makes them so special and why should your readers care about them?
What do the candidates do for fun? Do they have hobbies, families and jobs? What’s their history to the region? What makes them so special and why should your readers care about them?
What do the candidates do for fun? Do they have hobbies, families and jobs? What’s their history to the region? What makes them so special and why should your readers care about them?
What do the candidates do for fun? Do they have hobbies, families and jobs? What’s their history to the region? What makes them so special and why should your readers care about them?
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
We assigned one photographer to each candidate. The photographers had to explain up front the idea and what the expectations would be. We were looking for real situations. Nothing needed to be staged. This was their chance to be shown as politicians, parents, workers or whatever our time together was going to bring. If there was pushback we were prepared to list the other candidates who were opening their pubic lives to us. We didn’t have to resort to that, but we did learn that not all candidates are exciting individuals.
We assigned one photographer to each candidate. The photographers had to explain up front the idea and what the expectations would be. We were looking for real situations. Nothing needed to be staged. This was their chance to be shown as politicians, parents, workers or whatever our time together was going to bring. If there was pushback we were prepared to list the other candidates who were opening their pubic lives to us. We didn’t have to resort to that, but we did learn that not all candidates are exciting individuals.
We assigned one photographer to each candidate. The photographers had to explain up front the idea and what the expectations would be. We were looking for real situations. Nothing needed to be staged. This was their chance to be shown as politicians, parents, workers or whatever our time together was going to bring. If there was pushback we were prepared to list the other candidates who were opening their pubic lives to us. We didn’t have to resort to that, but we did learn that not all candidates are exciting individuals.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.
I was brainstorming ideas for the November 2012 elections and came up with the idea of doing a photo column on the campaigns and scenes of the election season. The plan? To brand a series of documentary photo stories on candidates and related themes that would publish in the weeks before the election.