This document defines and describes the elements of a photo essay. A photo essay uses a series of photographs to convey an idea or tell a story by evoking emotion. There are two main types: narrative photo essays tell a story through a sequence of events, while thematic photo essays focus on a central theme. Key elements of a successful photo essay include telling a story or expressing a message through a range of photos in a logical order, using images that provide both information and emotion, and including captions that enhance the meaning together with the photos.

1. Photographic Essay

2. What can you see in the picture?

3. It is not
what was
lost, but
what is left
that’s
important

5. PHOTO ESSAY
• Is a series of pictures that evokes an
emotion, conveys and idea, or tells a
story.
• It expresses an artist’s personal ideas
though narration or exposition

6. PHOTO ESSAY
• It is important for the reader to
understand symbolism latent in each
image

7. 2 TYPES OF PHOTO ESSAY
• Narrative Photo Essay
• Thematic Photo Essay

8. NARRATIVE PHOTO ESSAY
• It tells a story through a sequence of
events or actions

9. THEMATIC PHOTO ESSAY
• Focuses on a central theme and
presents photos relevant to that theme

10. The story
The range of photos
The order of photos
Information and emotion
Captions
Elements of Photo Essay

11. The story
A photo essay expresses a central
message or tells a story.

12. The range of Photos
A photo essay is comprised of variety of
photos

13. The order of Photos
The logical and creative sequence of
the photos is very important in
communicating the central idea of the
photo essay.

14. Information and Emotion
The photos provide information to
convey context, and effectively evoke
emotion.

15. Captions
The words chosen but the artist work
together with the images to produce
meaning