Introduced Concept Photographic Essay

Creating a photo essay is a combination of art and journalism.

As with a written essay, the elements of a photo essay should be structured in a way that easily conveys a story to the viewer.

Consider images in magazines that attempt to sell us a “concept car” - or celebrities and politicians who worry about how visuals in the media convey a concept of who they are, what people often refer to as their “image.” The words concept and image sometimes seem almost interchangeable.

This is because the visual image provides a powerful pathway for the expression of a concept. A picture is worth a thousand words, which means a variety of ideas can be condensed into a single photo.

This is usually the most difficult photo to choose and should follow the theme of your essay.

It could be an emotional portrait or an action shot, but ultimately it should provoke the curiosity of the viewer.These photos often evoke strong emotions and empathy in the viewer (whether it is a positive and enthusiastic emotion, or a sympathetic and concerned emotion.) The Detail Photos: Detail photos focus in on one element, be it a building, a face, or a relevant object.These photos are your best opportunity to capture specific objects.Each individual photo contributes to the overall story, theme, and emotions of the essay.The photos you choose must not only be compositionally and artistically strong, but also informative and educational.These photos are tightly cropped, simple shots that present a specific element of your story.Again, this is an excellent opportunity to present information in the caption.Beginning in the early 20th century, a few rather defiant artists protested the emphasis the art world placed on the aesthetics and materials used to create art.They railed against the over-commercialization of art objects in the money-conscious world of galleries and museums, where the value of any given work rested primarily on the fact that a very skilled person created it using idealized aesthetic methods.The Scene: Your second photo should set the stage and describe the scene of your story.An overarching photo taken with a wide angle lens is often effective.