Photographers working for Life mag in the early years"when the photo story was a developing art form worked to capture a variety of pictures that would tell the tale of the event they were covering. Those images fit together to give narrative structure and variety to their story. Marriage photojournalists today use the same method to tell the story about a marriage
Included in the shot list of the Life photographers were: 1) an introductory shot to set the scene; 2) a portrait to provide characterization; 3) an interaction shot to form drama; 4) a signature shot to capture the essence of the tale (this would frequently serve as the opening or cover photo); 5) a detail shot to highlight a story-telling part that would instead remain unspotted; 6) and a clincher to bring the story to a close.
For photographers who started their careers working as photojournalists, this technique of documentary story-telling with a camera is fixed in the DNA. When true photojournalists document a wedding, we are continually thinking of how we are able to provide the narrative structure for a story about the specific event we are covering.
Each wedding is different. The story that develops from each wedding is different. The aim of a wedding photojournalist is to create images that reflect that uniqueness.
A wedding book designed from photographs taken making use of the Life Photo Story formula will contain images that are diverse in content, visual structure and mood. Life-style portraits of the bride and bridegroom capturing their personalities will supply characterization. Wide shots of the church and/or reception venue will supply context and set the scene. Story-telling detail shots of bouquets, decorative items, rings and body language will highlight elements that could have one unobserved. Interaction shots of bride and groom and the couple with their family and friends enjoying each other's company document bonds between loved ones. Images of the bride and groom leaving to sparklers, flower petals or friends blowing bubbles will bring the photo essay to a close.
Included in the shot list of the Life photographers were: 1) an introductory shot to set the scene; 2) a portrait to provide characterization; 3) an interaction shot to form drama; 4) a signature shot to capture the essence of the tale (this would frequently serve as the opening or cover photo); 5) a detail shot to highlight a story-telling part that would instead remain unspotted; 6) and a clincher to bring the story to a close.
For photographers who started their careers working as photojournalists, this technique of documentary story-telling with a camera is fixed in the DNA. When true photojournalists document a wedding, we are continually thinking of how we are able to provide the narrative structure for a story about the specific event we are covering.
Each wedding is different. The story that develops from each wedding is different. The aim of a wedding photojournalist is to create images that reflect that uniqueness.
A wedding book designed from photographs taken making use of the Life Photo Story formula will contain images that are diverse in content, visual structure and mood. Life-style portraits of the bride and bridegroom capturing their personalities will supply characterization. Wide shots of the church and/or reception venue will supply context and set the scene. Story-telling detail shots of bouquets, decorative items, rings and body language will highlight elements that could have one unobserved. Interaction shots of bride and groom and the couple with their family and friends enjoying each other's company document bonds between loved ones. Images of the bride and groom leaving to sparklers, flower petals or friends blowing bubbles will bring the photo essay to a close.
About the Author:
Doctor. Cindy Brown, former news photographer, photo editor and Associate Professor of photojournalism, practices the fine art of storytelling as an Atlanta weddng photographer. She is an international prize-winning marriage photojournalist.
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