What is a Picture story?

A picture story is an intentional use of pictures and words put together to form a meaningful story. Picture stories are often found within Photobooks. There are multiple different types of shots which can be put together to create a picture story, here are some examples:

• Person at Work – A person at work shot should show WHO the person is, WHAT they are doing, HOW they are doing it, and the CONTEXT of the situation.

For example in this photo you can see part of the subjects face, what they are doing and how they are doing it, as well as the context of the situation, (being in some sort of mechanic working environment.)

• Relationship Shot – a relationship shot is a type of shot which shows the relationship between multiple people. It should show who the people are and what role they present.

In this photo you can see who the people are, and that they have some kind of relationship between the two of them, for example they could be siblings.

• Establishing Shot – An establishing shot is one which shows what the topic of the picture story is. It may be a photo of where the place is for example St Helier.

This is an establishing shot as it shows that the location is New York, this is shown by the statue of liberte.

• Detail shot – Detail shots often tell the story of the situation by focusing on a relatively small portion of it. Details shots also can be images that, through compositional techniques, draw attention to a specific detail of a subject that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

In this detail shot it shows that there is a musical performance going on and a guitar is being used.

• Environmental Portrait – An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject’s usual environment, such as in their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject’s life and surroundings.

For example in this photo the man is working at a food place possibly a van, this is an environmental portrait as it is a usual environment for him to be in.

• Formal Portrait –  A formal portrait is not a snapshot but a carefully arranged pose under effective lighting conditions.

This is an example of a formal portrait as the subject has been arranged in the centre of the photo and the lighting is effective and there is little detail in the background that guides the viewers attention away from the subject.

• Observed Portrait – An observed portrait is taken when the subject is doing something and they are unaware they are being photographed, it is similar to candid photography.

This is an observed photograph as they are being observed colouring and they have not been arranged in anyway for the photo to be taken.