This week, we took everything we've talked about in the last few sessions and applied it to picture packages of two or more photos in picture stories and photographic essays. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a picture story generally refers to a story using a narrative with a beginning, middle and end, while a photographic essay is a related group of pictures that combined are more powerful than each picture individually. We concentrated entirely on one person, W. Eugene Smith, who is the definitive photographer in this genre and was a transformative figure in documentary photography. A comprehensive slideshow with musical accompaniment can be seen on YouTube.
We wrapped up looking at my personal projects-as in family pictures-to see how photographing everyday subjects like births, children, vacations or celebrations can be done in a essay form. Throughout our weeks together we have already looked at several projects, photo essays and picture stories from many of the photographers that we've looked at. Many exhibits, books and magazine stories are a form of photo essay. There are super resources online with wonderful photo projects.
Here's Smith's career and ill-fated life in three minutes.