PHOTO ESSAY: Meaning, Uses, Characteristics, And More

PHOTO ESSAY – In this topic, we will now talk about the definition of a photo essay, its following uses and characteristics, and more.

Meaning

It is a set, series, or amalgamate of photographs that are created in order to give a series of emotions to the reader. As the name says, the essay will often show pictures in extreme or deep emotional stages.

They are often described as a fully photographic output or photos with captions short or long to describe what the photo is all about.

Characteristics

Here are some of its characteristics

It can be sequential or non-sequential:
- Sequential essays tend to have a plot or a story
- Non-sequential essays focus more on the emotions it portrays.
The captions in essays can range from short texts to fully long essays
- Captions can also be black or white, in various fonts, bold text, and chapters
The topics on this kind of essays are mostly sequential or time, location or place, ideas, and events.

Uses

An article in publication, may it be in full page or a two-page spread
A book of compilation.
In a web page or part of a web site
A montage or collage of photos, with captions, which is basically mixed media
Art shows
Photo editorials in the field of fashion publishing

Examples

An essay containing the college years of former American President Barack Obama by Time

A compilation of photos of the same place.

Some Well-known Photographers

1. W. Eugene Smith

Also known fully as William Eugene Smith, he is described as the solely most important American photographer in the development of photo essay. His works include World War II photos, the city of Pittsburgh, and more.

2. Ansel Adams