Exploring a Photo Essay 1.12

An essay is an interpretive or analytic composition that reveals the author's perspective on a subject.  A photo essay reveals the author's perspective on the subject through a collection of photographic images.  Just as the words and sentences in a written essay are placed in a specific order, so are the images in a photo essay placed in a specific order to express ideas, convey emotions, and show a progression of thoughts or events.

Examples on the next page, Photo Essay Examples

or search your own example like this Links to an external site. or this  Links to an external site.

Focus on the following topics as you "read" and analyze a photo essay:

1. title

2. sequence of images

3. content of photographs

4. captions

Next, consider how you would use the three elements of Reader Response Criticism theory (Reader Response Critical Theory is the first of six literary critical theories you will study.  Reader Response Criticism focuses on a reader's engagement with a specific text and the dynamics that emerge as meaning are created between the text presented by the author and the reader's interpretation of it. ) to think about the impact of the photo essay.

After your initial analysis, revisit the photo essay and make interpretations based on your inferences.

1.  What issues are presented in the photo essay, and what is the author's position on the issues?

2.  What is the purpose of this photo essay?

3.  Who is the target audience for this photo essay?

4.  How do the images tell a story or progression of events to reveal a particular position?

5.  What is your interpretation of the photo essay?  Discuss how the composition and arrangement of the photos lead to your interpretation.

You may submit your answers to these questions in the given text box or upload a file.