focusing on one person, you can still tell the story of the ship, the department, and the division. d .   FOCUSING ON PEOPLE. Whatever the story, chances are it can be made better and more interesting when it is told in terms of people doing something. Of course, it is possible to focus on an inanimate object, such as an airplane, but readership tests indicate that people are interested in people. e. UNIVERSAL  APPEAL.  Before  your picture story can appear in a newspaper or magazine, it must appeal to a large number of people. 4. PREPARING  THE  SHOOTING  SCRIPT.  To begin shooting a picture story without an idea of what you are trying to accomplish is a real gamble. The shooting script is a record of your ideas—a blueprint from which you build the story. But remember, your shooting  script  is  a  guide  only,  and  it  should  be flexible to some degree. A shooting script should answer the following questions regarding a picture story: WHO: WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: WHY: HOW: The name of the individual or sub- ject to be photographed. His or her job title and duty responsibilities should be included. The exact nature of what subject action is to be performed in support of the overall theme of the picture story. The time and date when the subject is to be photographed. Ensure the subject  is  available  at  the  time specified. The  exact  location(s)  where  the photography is to take place. The reason(s) why this story should appeal to a given audience. List    the    shots    you    plan    to make—Actions, such as loading the gun, rolling the fire hose, and so on. This  includes  long  shots,  medium shots, close-ups, high angle of view, low angle of view; point of focus; and  any  unusual  lighting  conditions. Remember, the shooting script is used as a guide; that is its only purpose. It is intended to keep you on the right track. The shooting script permits you to begin a picture-story assignment with confidence. The time   spent   in   preparing   a   shooting   script   is compensated for by the time and confusion you save at the scene when the pictures are made. 5.  SHOOTING  PHOTOGRAPHS.  The  actual shooting of photographs for a picture story does not present a problem for a competent photographer. Since  you  have  a  shooting  script,  the  decisions  you must make at the job location involve only exposure calculations and camera operations. There is one problem worth mentioning; it is not always possible to capture  the  abstract  qualities  in  a  picture.  Visual interpretation of an abstract idea is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve at times. Emotions and moods are recorded on film only through skill, perseverance, and  cooperation  between  the  subject  and  the photographer. Sometimes the emotion or mood may linger for only a fraction of a second. You must be prepared to trip the shutter at the precise moment the action takes place. A picture story must have a beginning, a middle (body), and an ending. A picture story begins with a LEAD PHOTOGRAPH. The lead photograph is the most important picture in the story. This photograph should identify the subject matter, relate the subject matter to the slant or desired approach of the story, and  create  an  impact.  The  attention-getting  lead photograph should create the desire to know more about the subject. The picture story should proceed in logical order without  undue  repetition  or  too  great  a  step  in photograph  progression.  Each  successive  photograph should   contribute   something   significant   to   the development   of   the   story   and   provide   smooth continuity. The photographs that comprise the BODY of  the  story  should  have  long  shots,  medium  shots, close-ups, and be made from various points of view. The second most important photograph is the LAST  or  ENDING  photograph.  This  photograph should present the feeling of finality. It can also help the viewer to arrive at a conclusion. Although it has the ability to sway the reader’s mind, a picture story should be presented objectively. The number of photographs in a picture story is a matter   of   judgment   on   your   part.   Too   few photographs  are  as  distracting  as  too  many photographs.  The  factor  that  should  govern  the 1-12