12.1 Developing Story Ideas and Concepts

Feature photography and photo essays require careful planning and execution. Developing compelling story ideas is crucial for creating impactful visual narratives that resonate with viewers.

This section covers techniques for generating and evaluating story concepts, from brainstorming and research to assessing newsworthiness and crafting effective pitches. These skills help photographers create meaningful photo essays that captivate audiences.

Generating Story Ideas

Brainstorming and Research Techniques

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  Dalia, what how why brainstorming | Fernando Guillen | Flickr View original

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  Brainstorming results (2 of 4) | www.speedofcreativity.org/2… | Flickr View original

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Top images from around the web for Brainstorming and Research Techniques

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  Dalia, what how why brainstorming | Fernando Guillen | Flickr View original

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  Brainstorming results (2 of 4) | www.speedofcreativity.org/2… | Flickr View original

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  Brainstorming skills and competencies before badge design … | Flickr View original

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  Dalia, what how why brainstorming | Fernando Guillen | Flickr View original

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  Brainstorming results (2 of 4) | www.speedofcreativity.org/2… | Flickr View original

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• Brainstorming involves free-flowing generation of ideas without judgment
• Mind mapping creates visual connections between related concepts
• Freewriting encourages continuous writing for a set time to uncover hidden ideas
• Research current events and trending topics to identify potential stories
• Explore local community issues and concerns for relevant story ideas
• Analyze social media trends and discussions to gauge public interest

Storyboarding and Visual Planning

• Storyboarding visually outlines the sequence of shots or scenes for a photo essay
• Sketch rough thumbnails to plan composition and framing of key images
• Create a shot list detailing specific photos needed to tell the story
• Organize storyboard panels chronologically or thematically
• Include notes on lighting, location, and subject positioning for each planned shot
• Use storyboarding to identify potential gaps in visual storytelling

Evaluating Newsworthiness

Assessing News Value and Timeliness

• News value determines a story's importance and interest to the audience
• Consider impact on readers' lives when evaluating news value
• Timeliness refers to the immediacy or currency of a story
• Breaking news requires rapid response and real-time coverage
• Seasonal stories align with specific times of year (holiday traditions)
• Anniversary stories commemorate significant past events

Analyzing Relevance and Uniqueness

• Relevance measures how applicable a story is to the target audience
• Local angle makes national or global stories relevant to a specific community
• Uniqueness sets a story apart from similar coverage by other media outlets
• Exclusive access to subjects or locations increases a story's uniqueness
• Fresh perspectives on familiar topics can make a story stand out
• Innovative visual approaches enhance the uniqueness of photo essays

Exploring Human Interest Elements

• Human interest stories focus on emotional connections and personal experiences
• Profile pieces highlight interesting individuals or groups
• Overcome-adversity narratives resonate with readers on an emotional level
• Heartwarming stories of kindness or community support often have broad appeal
• Quirky or unusual human interest stories can provide lighthearted content
• Visual storytelling in human interest pieces often relies on expressive portraits

Presenting Concepts

Crafting an Effective Pitch

• Pitch summarizes the story idea concisely and compellingly
• Clearly state the central theme or angle of the proposed photo essay
• Explain why the story is newsworthy and relevant to the audience
• Outline the visual approach and key shots planned for the story
• Describe any unique access or perspective that sets the pitch apart
• Include practical details such as estimated time frame and resources needed
• Prepare to answer questions about potential challenges or ethical considerations
• Practice delivering the pitch verbally to improve confidence and clarity
• Consider creating a visual pitch deck with sample images or storyboards