Original Photo Essay

Students will tell a complete story using only original photographs they have taken. Photo essays will utilize between 5 and 10 original photos to tell an impactful story...without words.

In our digital world where most people have access to a camera or device with a built-in camera (like a smartphone), it may seem as if everyone is a photographer; however, neither access to equipment nor the number of selfies taken make one a photographer, someone who with forethought and skill creates art that tells a memorable story. Every photograph has the ability to tell a piece of a story, but the photo essay should tell a story as completely as possible, with each photograph and placement of photographs contributing to the narrative as a whole.

While a photo essay published in a newspaper, for example, would accompany a written story, these photo essay submissions will not, so students are required to use a small amount of text to provide basic information and enhance, not overtake, the story created by the photos. Use a basic title (e.g. “Sharon Carson, 80-Year-Old Fingerpainter”) and short captions on each photograph to provide a relevant quote or basic info such as a person’s name, age, or the location where the photograph was taken.

In a photo essay, the order/placement of photos is important to helping tell the story as clearly and with as much impact as possible. Submit a minimum of five and no more than ten (5-10) original photos, with a title and captions, arranged purposefully in a medium you can share digitally (in an app like Adobe Spark, on a single Google slide, etc.). Photos may be in color or black-and-white.

In selecting products to submit, each school should be intentional to enter original photographs that do not depend upon digital manipulation (filters and effects). Instead, submit products that stand upon their composition, framing, and feel without the distraction of post- production enhancement. General tweaking--including cropping, dodging/burning, and sharpening--are acceptable.

RUBRIC:

We will be using the STLP Rubric for this category.

• MCS Extravaganza can enter as an individual or team product

• Enter the STLP DPOJ (digital-project online judging)---