Creating the Photo Essay

You should have your five photos chosen for today that all relate to a certain topic or theme. Your photos shouldn't just show pictures; they need to tell a story. What are you saying about your topic?

Today, you have a few things to work on:

1. In what order are you putting your photos? There should be a logic to this. What comes first, and why? What's the last picture the viewer will see in the photo essay? Why leave that one for last?

2. Write your cutlines. These should be about one sentence per photo, and should address the 5 W's and the H. Don't worry about using names in your cutlines if you don't know the actual names of the people in your photos.

3. Write your artist's statement. This should be one paragraph, and it should address the questions posted in the Photo Essay document in my last blog entry. Write the artist's statement below the photos you post.

4. Title your photo essay with something original.


Here is a sample photo essay, titled "Hard Times in Brooklyn":

Sample Photo Essay

And here's how I'm grading your photo essay:


I. Photos:

 At least five photos: ________/5

 All photos pertain to one topic with a clear and meaningful theme: ________/5

 A wide range of photos is used (informational, emotional, angles): ________/5

 Logical, explained order to the photos: ________/5

 Each photo contains a cutline that follows guidelines discussed in class: _______/10

II. Artist’s Statement:

 Answers all of the questions in complete sentences: __________/10

 Time and effort is apparent: _________/10