In most bildungsroman stories, there are moments of romance.  This should not be surprising; after all, learning about love and relationships is a normal part of most people's coming of age stories.  And while the epic movie Casablanca reminds us that sometimes 'a kiss is just a kiss,' depending on the context, (definition:The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and the terms by which it can be fully understood and assessed.) a kiss can be iconic. (definition:Widely recognized and well-established.) And when a kiss is juxtaposed (definition:Placed or dealt with close together for contrasting effect.)against the backdrop of Vancouver rioting after a post-Stanley Cup loss, it can carry much more meaning than was originally intended.

It's amazing how the most mundane (definition:Lacking interest or excitement; dull.) of moments can take on a completely different meaning depending on what's going on and how it's captured.  After all, while the shot of a couple kissing surrounded by chaos is certainly attention-grabbing, the image is even more poignant (definition:Keen or strong in mental appeal.) given that there's an anonymous police officer clad in black riot gear in the foreground while indistinct crowds are being pushed back by police in the background.  Oh, and in case you'd like closure on this anecdote, the couple stayed together!

Photographer Richard Lam's photo managed to tell an unexpected story, in part, because he was willing to look for it.  Using a similar concept, the website, Humans of New York, uses a combination of photography and anecdotes to provide personalized perspectives of people's paths and passions.  Take a moment to read a small sampling of stories in preparation for the discussion below.

Digital Citizenship

In today's 21st Century society, being an active, aware digital citizen (definition:A person who develops the skills and knowledge to effectively use the Internet and other digital technology, especially in order to participate responsibly in social and civic activities.) is important for your own safety.  It also ensures that you are not intruding on someone else's privacy or rights. 

Since you'll create a photo essay in this activity, it's important to understand your rights and responsibilities.  If you are photographing in a public place you're typically permitted to photograph people and places, though you should look for signs indicating that you are not permitted to take photographs (such as in museums).  If you are photographing a specific person, to protect yourself, you should obtain consent from your subject to be allowed to both take and use the photo you've taken. If you are unfamiliar with photographic consent or digital citizenship, review some of the resources below.

Now that you are familiar with the word etymology, you might be interested to learn that the Greek origin of the word photography translates to 'drawing with light.'  As most photographers will tell you, there is an art to capturing an image.  Beyond the obvious need to be there in the moment (a good photographer will always look around to see what is occurring), getting the perfect picture involves more than just randomly clicking the camera...it involves planning, perspective, and purpose.

During any journey, it's not unusual for people to become myopic; (definition:Lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight.)think of any time you've been on a long car, bus, or train ride.  Often, you can barely recall what you saw when looking out the window.  Sometimes, however, all we need is a change in perspective to help us see the world differently.  With that idea in mind, watch this video version of Istvan Banyai's wordless picture book, Zoom.

Similar to Zoom, a photo essayist wants an audience to perceive something differently. Photo essayists may want viewers to see something magical in the mundane, or they may hope to incite people to make a difference.  Regardless of their intentions, a photo essay adheres to a particular formula.  As noted photojournalist Christina N. Dickson states, "a photo essay is very simply a collection of images that are placed in a specific order to tell the progression of events, emotions, and concepts."  Similar to a written essay, a photo essay makes an argument and then explains, explores, and expands that argument using evidence.  The biggest difference, not surprisingly, is that a photo essay uses images first to establish meaning.

Of course, perspective isn't just about an idea, it can also be quite literal when crafting a photo essay.  How a picture is used (especially if it's being cropped or cut) can completely change the audience's understanding.  To see this more clearly, read this article, "This Is How The Taj Mahal Actually Looks Today" from The India Times. (Original article)

The Photo Essay Structure

A photo essay follows the same structure and format as a traditional essay. The photo essay begins with asserting a claim, proceeds to argue and prove that claim, and concludes with an affirmation supporting that claim. What follows is a written organizer for developing a photo essay. 

Introductory Paragraph

• Catches the reader's attention
• Includes the lead, title of work studied, author's name, and area of focus
• States the thesis
• Includes the points of proof used to substantiate claim
• Moves from the general to the specific
• Contains transitional links

Body of Photo Essay

• A series of photographs/visuals that develop and support the thesis
• Each photo/visual introduces a “stage” in the development of the character
• Analysis supports and details the development of the character
• Analysis is developed through details, examples, reasons, definitions, anecdotes, similarities, differences and other kinds of detail
• Presents the strongest, most compelling photo/visual at the end
• Contains transitional links

Conclusion

• Ties the important points in the photo essay together, often using key words from the thesis
• Draws a final conclusion
• Offers an insight – leaves the reader with something to think about

To learn more about how a photo essay is planned and implemented, read this article, What Makes a Photo Essay Unforgettable? from Format Magazine. (Original article)

Now that you've had a chance to learn how to create a photo essay, it's time to view some.  Fortunately, there are thousands of photo essays available online.  Unfortunately, not all photo essays are created equal, so you will need to use the insights you gained above to determine whether a particular photo essay is worthwhile.