I really find this exciting because this is my area of specialty, telling stories with my work which will serve as a reference in years to come. As a documentary photographer/photojournalist capturing historical images that spark conversations around the world changes perspective around the world. Photography as a tool of storytelling has taken a dimensional form over the years and still does. Photographers have found a means to tell and preserve stories that are most important to them and the society at large.
As a visual storyteller using one’s images to tell amazing stories requires understanding the process to images that are worthy of telling stories which is a photo essay. Yes, PHOTO ESSAY
PHOTO ESSAY is basically having a number of images when arranged to tell a compelling and unique story. It’s like the way we were thought in school that an essay involves narrating an incident or event that has taken place. A photo essay is a form of visual storytelling, a way of presenting a narrative through a series of compelling images. A great photographic essay depicts a powerful and strong message without using captions. Also, a photo essay is able to evoke emotions and understanding without using words.
One very good thing about a photo essay is that it gives you the flexibility to tell your stories in a different style with a wide range to explore thought-provoking stories from angles not expected.
EXAMPLES OF PHOTO ESSAY
- Local event photo essay: This in particular was my first major documentary of a drum festival that took place in my city. Here, I captured amazing storytelling moments of different cultural drums, their significance, and the people behind the drums. Local events are the likes of art shows, festivals, movements, etc. take great photos of places, people walking, and performing. These photos can be compiled as a photo essay with a background subject to it.
- A protest photo essay: Documentary for me is an eye-opener because it exposes me to a lot of stories spiced with different perspectives. I documented the #Endsars protest in my city and it gave me fresh ideas on how to be creative with shots and get to know my camera better than before. This is a live event where you will see people standing, walking, dancing, holding banners and placards. Try to capture the essence and atmosphere of the protest itself.
- Document a court hearing: I took it upon myself to document a court hearing of social injustice in my city which has helped me preserve and tell stories with each of the pictures. It exposed me to another storytelling perspective as I captured the emptiness of the court to the panel of investigation, registrar, media, lawyers, etc.
- Behind-the-scenes photo essay: Behind-the-scenes photo essays are a great way to capture what goes into events from start to finish. With this type of photo story, you can see the working parts of a production, and how it all moves together in harmony.
