essential if photography is to be used effectively.
In addition to the common single photocaption,
there are four other basic types of picture stories
which may be requested. They are generally
classified as:
Illustrated text
Picture-text combination
Pure picture story
Picture story within the text
ILLUSTRATED TEXT.—The text, or
story, is usually written first by the chap-
lain, then one or more photographs are used to
illustrate, or dramatize its content. In reality,
this is not a true picture story, since the pictures
are incidental to the story rather than being an
integral part of the text. The photographs are
used to dress up the page, make it attractive,
give it character, or establish a mood. Many
magazines use the illustrated text format. They
frequently introduce each story with a single
illustration, full page size, which serves to
attract the reader’s attention and encourage the
reading of that particular story.
PICTURE-TEXT COMBINATION.—As
the name indicates, the picture-text combination
employs both pictures and text. The pictures,
however, carry the weight of the story. The text
is important and provides worthwhile informa-
tion relative to the pictures, but it is secondary to
the pictures. This is the easiest type of picture
story to develop, and the one most commonly
used in the Navy.
PURE PICTURE STORY.—In the pure pic-
ture story there is no text, except for a brief
introduction. Of the four basic picture story
types, this is the most difficult to develop.
Pure picture stories frequently are presented
in sequences of pictures taken at brief intervals.
For example, a pure picture story of a VIP’s
arrival might show the person deplaning, shak-
ing hands with a member of the greeting party,
inspecting an honor guard, and entering a
limousine. Pure picture stories normally are used
only when the action is simple and familiar
enough to the average reader to require no word
description.
PICTURE STORY WITHIN THE TEXT.—
A picture story within the text actually presents
two separate but related stories. One story is
told in words, the other in pictures. Both are
complete in themselves. The text may be used
without the picture story, or the picture story
may be used without the text. The combination
of the two in a single layout, however, makes the
spread much more effective than either would be
alone.
THE SINGLE PICTURE.—The single pic-
ture story is the most basic form of photo-
journalism. The objective is to allow the viewer
to “feel” the action and thus become involved
with the subject. It sums up the subject, evokes
some emotion, or keys the action or the setting.
Every photographic situation is different so
there is no magic formula for the photographer
to use in order to put impact or strength into a
picture. Occasionally, the single meaningful pic-
ture is simply a matter of luck—being at the
right place at the right time. More often the
picture is the result of careful planning. In either
case, the event is only captured because of the
timing of the photographer.
Timing means capturing the moment of
greatest significance. There is no exact way
of predicting that moment. To be successful,
the photographer must anticipate what is
coming and be ready when it arrives. Prior to
the actual photo session, the RP should brief
the photographer as fully as possible about the
activity or event which is to occur, so that the
photographer can plan the shots that will be the
most effective.
THE PHOTO SESSION.—Once it has been
determined what photographs are desired, the
Religious Program Specialist should defer to the
photographer. Suggestions for the photo session
which the RP should keep in mind include:
Establish a firm time for the photo ses-
sion and notify everyone concerned. A call on
the day of the event or the day before the event
might avoid an embarrassing situation.
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