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Summary - 14208_34

Photography (Advanced) - Advanced manual for photography and other graphic techniques
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on page 1 and extend them on to page 2 that the photographs  run  across  the  gutter.  Thus  unity  is maintained  by  using  a  "Banner"  type  of  headline,  a large copy block, and photographs. CONTRAST Contrast is achieved in a layout by using different picture sizes and shapes. This helps add interest and drama to the layout. It also aids the reader's flow through  each  element  to  improve  communication. Lead,  Body,  and  End  Pictures When you are laying out a page that is dominated by photographs, such as a picture story or picture essay, the selection and number of pictures should be determined by the importance and complexity of the story. Of course, the amount of space you have to lay out the story is a factor. However, no matter how important or complex the story may be, your basic picture requirements remain the same. Every story must have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Additionally, every layout should have one large dominant photograph to grasp the attention of the viewer. Other photographs used in your layout should not exceed 50 percent of the size of the dominant photograph.  The  two  most  important  pictures  again are the lead and the end photographs. Besides having the necessary stopping power to attract the attention of the reader and creating the desire to know more about the subject, the lead picture should give the reader a hint as to what the story is about. In other words, the lead  photograph  performs  the  same  function  as  the opening paragraph in a written news story. The end photograph should help the reader to see the signifi- cance of the story, summarize it, and bring it to a logical  conclusion.  The  remaining  photographs  in  a story should consist of a variety of sizes, shapes, long shots, medium shots, and close-ups. Their task is to maintain the interest that is built up by the lead and carry it throughout the story until the end shot is reached The body photographs, like the middle of any story, are the "meat" of the whole statement that you are trying to make and should not disappoint the reader. Layout  Space  and  Editing The space allowed for a story, for the most part, is predetermined. Military newspapers, as well as civilian publications, retain their page size issue after issue.  The  board  on  which  you  mount  your  display prints   may   also   limit   the   size   of   your   layout. Therefore, your story must fit the space allowed and not vice versa. It has already been stated that the lead and end photographs  are  the  two  most  important.  This  does not  mean,  however,  that  when  you  go  out  on  an assignment you should have a predetermined lead and an end shot in mind. On the contrary, the lead and end   photographs   are   selected   from   the   overall coverage.  Once  the  story  is  shot,  you  screen  the proofs and select the photographs. Always choose the lead picture first. Next, choose the end picture. After selecting the lead and end pictures, choose the body pictures. After all the photographs have been selected, edit them so only those that are absolutely necessary for telling the story remain. The editing process must be cold and objective. Forget the fact that you may have hung by one toe from a 100-foot flag pole to obtain a certain shot. If the shot does not fit or is not essential, then it has no place in the story. During the editing process, you should select only those pictures that are valuable communication symbols when arranged in a logical and story-telling manner. After you have selected the lead, end, and body pictures, you should then make a thumbnail sketch to determine picture placement and size. There is a certain amount of aesthetics involved in a layout. After gaining experience by doing a few layouts,  you  tend  to  "feel"  your  way.  Nevertheless, there must be a starting point. For the most part, it is strictly mechanical. All elements, titles, subtitles, pictures, copy, and white space should be aligned with one or more of the other elements on the page or pages. This system of aligning elements, or the "buddy" system as it is called, is another way of saying that margins must be established and maintained throughout the layout. From the very beginning, you must establish a definite set of margins to provide consistency from element to element and from page to page. Layout is second in importance only to the story content; like the frame on a picture, it can make or break your work. For it to be effective, it requires skill, imagination, and painstaking care. 1-23







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