The words “photo” and “essay” are not used often in tandem, but the two concepts are more alike than you might think. A photo essay is, simply put, a collection of images that work together to tell a story or make a point. And like any good story, a good photo essay should have a beginning, middle, and end.
As a photography project assignment, it can be given to students in any grade, although it is most often used in high school or college-level courses. The format of a photo essay can vary, but the basic idea is to tell a story with a series of photographs.
Of course, the devil is in the details, and it’s those details that we’ll be covering in this guide. We’ll show you how to choose the right photos, add captions and text, and put everything together into a cohesive package. By the end, you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need to create your own photo essays, whether for personal or professional use.
So let’s get started!
Steps to Creating a Photo Essay
Step 1: Choose a Topic or Theme
The first step in creating a photo essay is to choose a topic or theme. The best way to do this is to think of a story that you want to tell or a point that you want to make.
For example, maybe you want to tell the story of your hometown or capture the essence of your city through its people. Or maybe you want to make a political statement or raise awareness about a social issue. Once you have a topic in mind, you can start to brainstorm ideas for your photo essay.
Some examples of interesting photo essay ideas:
- A day in the life of a city
- The changing seasons
- Life on the streets
- A family’s history
- A city’s history
- The human cost of war
- An interesting part of your town
- Childhood memories
- A day in the life of a child
- The beauty of nature
- The cycle of life
- Growing up
- Transformation of a place or a person
- Behind the scenes of an event
Step 2: Gather Your Photos
The next step is to gather your photos. This can be done in a number of ways, but the most important thing is to make sure that you have a good selection of images that fit the topic or theme of your essay.
If you’re using your own photos, comb through your collection and choose the best ones that fit your subject. If you’re using someone else’s photos, make sure to get permission first. And if you’re using stock photos, be sure to pick images that are high quality and relevant to your topic.
Tips on taking photos:
- Get close to your subject. The best photos are usually those that are up close and personal.
- Pay attention to the light. Good lighting can make or break a photo, so be sure to take advantage of natural light whenever possible.
- Use props. If you’re struggling to find interesting subjects to photograph, try using props to add some visual interest.
- Don’t take photos for the sake of it. Every photo in your essay should serve a purpose.
Once you have your photos, it’s time to start putting them together and creating the essay.
Tips on choosing photos:
- Choose a variety of photos that show different aspects of your topic.
- Make sure your photos are clear and in focus.
- Avoid using too many similar photos.
- Edit your photos to remove any distractions or unwanted elements.
Step 3: Create a Rough Outline
The next step is to create a rough outline of your photo essay. This will help you to determine the order in which your photos will be presented and what type of text, if any, you’ll need to include.
If you’re telling a story, your photo essay will likely have a chronological order. But if you’re making a point or trying to convey a certain emotion, you may want to consider a different order for your photos.
Once you have an idea of the order, you can start to put together your photo essay.
Step 4: Add Captions and Text
You might be required to write a short introduction to briefly give some background information on the topic and your take on it. Such an introduction’s goal is to establish the context for the photo essay rather than to tell the story itself.
Introduction tips:
- Make sure the introduction makes it clear for the reader what the photo essay is about and what your angle is and why.
- Don’t go over the word limit, this essay should be told in photos.
If you want, you can add captions and cutlines to your photo essay (or if it is required by the assignment). This can help to explain what’s happening in each photo or provide additional context.
If you’re adding cutlines, be sure to keep it brief and to the point. The photos should be the star of the show, so don’t let the text overshadow them.
And if you’re adding captions, make sure they’re clear and concise. Again, the focus should be on the photos, so don’t let the captions get in the way.
What’s the difference between a caption and a cutline? A caption is a brief description of the photo that appears below it. A cutline is a longer description that appears below the caption.
Caption tips:
- Don’t repeat what’s already obvious in the photo.
- Add context that helps to explain the photo or furthers the story.
- Keep it brief and to the point—just a few sentences or even a single word can be enough.
- Do not assume things about the photo or the people in it.
- Use strong verbs and nouns where possible.
- Don’t use trite phrases or clichés like “in the picture above” or “as you can see.”
Here are some patterns that you can use for your captions and cutlines in the photo essay:
- Location and date. Cutline.
- Ex: Chicago, Illinois. March 12, 2016. A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against police brutality.
- Cutline with a location reference.
- Ex: A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against police brutality in Chicago, Illinois.
- Cutline with a location reference. Date.
- Ex: A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against police brutality in Chicago, Illinois. March 12, 2016.
It’s not cut in stone, you can shuffle the elements around to see which format suits best for each photo. Some of them might not need a very detailed description or date.
Step 5: Put It All Together
Once you have your photos and text ready, it’s time to put everything together. If you’re creating a physical photo essay, you’ll need to choose a format and design that best suits your particular subject.
If you’re creating a digital photo essay, you’ll have more flexibility in terms of design. But no matter what format you choose, be sure to keep your audience in mind.
Your photo essay should be easy to follow and understand, so don’t get too creative with the design. And if you include text, be sure to use a font that’s easy to read.
And that’s it! These are the steps for creating a great photo essay. Just remember to choose a topic or theme, gather your photos, create a rough outline, add captions and text, put it all together, and share it with your audience.
If you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a compelling photo essay that’s sure to impress.
How photo essays are evaluated
Photo essays are typically evaluated on the following criteria:
- Content: Does the photo essay effectively communicate its purpose? Is the story clear and easy to follow?
- Photography: Are the photos well composed? Do they support and enhance the story being told?
- Overall design: Is the photo essay easy to navigate and understand? Is it visually appealing?
- Invention: Does the photo essay offer a new or unique perspective on its subject? Does it go beyond the obvious?
- Arrangement: Are the photos arranged in a way that makes sense? Do they build upon each other to create a cohesive story?
- Style: Does the photo essay have a consistent style? Is there a sense of coherence between the photos and text?
When evaluating a photo essay, keep these criteria in mind. And if you’re the one creating your own photo essay, be sure to keep them in mind as well. By considering these factors, you can create a photo essay that’s sure to engage and impress your audience.
References
- Boston University – Photo Essay Assignment
- The University of Colorado Boulder – Photo Essay Directions