Resource Media takes you behind the lens with our very own veteran photojournalist and show you how to take better pictures to create compelling and persuasive stories. The adventure begins with storytelling basics and builds on how photos can enhance communications with your key supporters. We will share insights on recommended tools, composition tips and picture-taking techniques that you’ll need to turn your snapshots into convincing stories.

1. Storytelling through Photos
April 13, 2010

2. 1
About Resource
Media

3. Communications Strategy
Media Outreach Campaigns
Environmental Policy Focus

4. San Francisco Seattle Boulder Kalispell Sacramento
30 Staff
9 Offices
Bozeman Portland Salt Lake City Anchorage

5. Overview:
2 Storytelling Basics
Strategic Communications
Taking Better Photos
Sharing

6. Why do we tell stories?
“Once upon a time…”
“There was once a…”
“A funny thing happened to me
today…”

7. What makes a good
story?
Protagonist
Mission
Tension
Resolution

8. Create a Lasting Impression
Sailor kissing a nurse in
Times Square, New York
City on Aug. 14, 1945, vs.
following the announcement
of V---J Day.
By Alfred Eisenstaedt

9. Communicate by showing, not telling
=

10. Be Strategic
Where do you want to go?
How will this story and these images
get us there?

11. Know your Audience
• Which audiences do you want
to reach with these stories? Why?
• What do you want those
audiences to do?
• What will move them to act?

12. What moves your
audience?
• What do you want them to do?
• What will move them to act?
• Appeal to their values
By Eric Hurt

13. Camera Controls
3
The Photo Story
Compositional Techniques
Advice from the Pros
Editing & Cropping

14. Shutter Speed: Controls how long the exposure lasts
Picture a stage curtain:
The longer the curtain is
open, the more the actors
are exposed

15. Shutter Speed Affects: Action
Fast shutter speed
Slow shutter speed

16. Aperture: Controls how big a hole the light goes through
Picture a culvert:
The bigger the culvert, the
more water gets through

17. Aperture Affects: Large Aperture
Depth of field
Small Aperture

18. Landscape:
Both foreground and
background are in focus

19. Action:
Fast shutter speed to
freeze motion

20. Portrait:
Only foreground in focus,
background soft

21. Macro:
Allows super close-ups

22. Nighttime
Long exposure, followed
by a flash

23. The Photo Story
• Wide shot ---
sets the scene
• Medium shot – the
main action
• Tight shot – a detail
By: W. Eugene Smith

24. The Photo Story:
• Wide shot ---
sets the scene

25. The Photo Story:
• Medium shot –
the main action

26. The Photo Story:
• Tight shot –
a detail

27. Photo story: The Green River
Clockwise from top left: scene-setter, main action, detail

28. Example:
Photo story,
EarthCorps
Counter-clockwise from top:
scene-setter, main action,
detail

29. Show the world
how you see it
Compositional techniques:
• The decisive moment
• Fill the frame
• Perspective

30. “The Decisive Moment”
"There is nothing in this
world that does not have a
decisive moment.”
-- Cardinal de Retz, circa 1650

31. “The Decisive Moment”
• Set up your “architecture”
and pounce
• Look for patterns and
rhythms and anticipate
Henri Cartier-Bresson

32. “The Decisive Moment”
Which one is more compelling?
By Thomas E. Franklin

33. Fill the Frame
Think about what
you leave in…
…and what
you leave out.

34. Fill the frame—without distractions Shish Kebab
Amputated
Background Clutter

35. Perspective
Which one is more interesting?

36. Advice from the pros:
“If your photos
aren’t good
enough, you’re not
close enough.”
- Robert Capa, killed by
stepping on a mine

37. How many pictures should I take?
Ask a National Geographic photographer:
During seven weeks of shooting my recent
story on wildfires, published in July 2008,
I shot...12,000 images.
National Geographic staff
photographer Mark Thiessen

38. Editing
You’re only as good
as your worst photo
Which one is best?

39. Cropping
How would you crop this?

40. Cropping
A decisive moment,
filling the frame, with
no distractions

41. Some “Don’ts”
Don’t…
• …be afraid to get close to your subjects.
• …only shoot posed photos.
• …put all your photos online – edit!
• …make people stand with their backs against a
wall for a headshot, blasting them with a flash.
• …use your flash unless you have to – Mother
Nature’s light it better.

42. • Set your camera for the shot you’re trying to get (e.g.,
action, portrait, landscape, etc.)
• Remember the three elements of a photo story and seek
Photo out shots that fulfill each element
recap: • Fill the frame with important stuff; leave out stuff that isn’t
• Look for candid, decisive moments
• Shoot a lot, but edit tightly, only showing your best work

43. Storytelling recap:
Think about your audience • What story do they need to hear?
Who’s the hero? • Personalize their story
What’s the mission? • Make it relatable
Where’s the tension? • Make it real
Do you have a solution? • Show it!

44. 4 Sharing

45. Getting the word out
What avenues would be most effective
in reaching my target audience?
What tools are available, as
audiences and objectives change?

46. S h a r e

47. Some tools for your toolbox

51. Blogs
- Most bloggers don’t have the
budget to pay for photos.
- Always provide them with the
correct attribution and a caption.
- Don’t send an attachment.

52. Pitching the media
Timing is key—they want
to see the action
Ensure access to people
and places
Pay attention to photo
credits
Describe the photo opp. in
the media advisory

53. Reuse & Recycle
…Your Content!

54. Remember your goal and your
•
audience
• Be purposeful with your photos
In Conclusion… o Get close to your subjects
(physically and emotionally)
You’re only as good as your
o
worst photo
• Appeal to your audiences’
values
Your photos aren’t good if no
•
one can see them, so share.

55. Contact Information:
Sian Wu: sian@resource-media.org
Matt Brashears: mattb@resource-media.org
Resource Media
159 Western Ave. W., Ste. 480
Seattle, WA 98119
206-374-7795