Class outline by
David H. Wells

A photo-essay is simply a collection of photos that are unified by the subject matter and are photographed in a way that shows the photographer’s point of view on that same subject.  The point of view can be one of love or hate, appreciation or disdain. The subject matter can be equally diverse, varying from a political situation to a specific place to a cultural trend. 

A photo-essay can be linear, for example a visual narration of a series of events in an individual’s life.  Or a photo-essay can be a portfolio of stand-alone images interpreting a place or theme.  All that matters is that the images are unified and together they tell a story.  Although many photo-essays are documentary in nature, they can also emphasize, for example, urban architecture, self-portraiture or ethnic rituals.

While simple to describe, photo-essays are very difficult to create.  The hardest part of making a great photo-essay is figuring out your point of view and establishing how to convey that visually.  Once you understand that (and have thoroughly researched the topic,) then going out and photographing with that in mind is relatively easy Usually, the hardest part about the actual photography for a photo-essay is excluding all the other things that you may encounter which are visually compelling, but not part of your photo-essay.

The first part of the class will focus on the definition of a photo-essay, initially on a higher, philosophical level and then eventually in terms of each student’s own photo essay.  Next, the class will photograph (as a group) during the first two days of the class, working through a series of exercises to prepare each student.  During these two days the student will be also looking for a topic to focus on as they produce their individual photo-essays. With a topic in hand, on the last two days of the class, students will be working on their own to produce (or at least practice their new skills in order to later produce) their own photo-essay. 

In between photographing, the class will meet to discuss technique and to look at photo-essays from master photographers. Alternating with these sessions will be vigorous critiques of student’s ongoing work from their photo-essay-in-the-making.
During class the students will focus on:

• Learning to write down an idea for a photographic project, which is the first step towards funding, exhibiting and publishing such a project.  Putting an idea on paper helps create the skeleton that the photographer fills out while shooting.  Instructor will share samples of successful proposals that have earned exhibits/publication/grants.

•   Producing a photo-essay, for example, but not limited to:

• A linear photo-essay about a week in the life of a local school.

• A stylized photo-essay of night images on nearby public spaces.

• A travel magazine essay on daily life in a small town.

• Completing a portfolio of autobiographical images on childhood.

• Matching poems and images to celebrate the joy of a summer day.

• Alternative presentations such as pairing images, sequencing images and other non-traditional presentation formats.

• Establishing a market for the photo-essay by researching what types of publications could use the student’s finished photo-essay. Students will learn how to present their work to potential publishers, negotiate fees, and how to work with editors throughout the process of producing the photo-essay.

The class starts in the evening where we will cover:

•          Orientation to the workshop
•          Discussion: David's works
•          Review of students' previous work
•          The mechanics of the photo essay
•          Planning your photo essay

The last day of the class is a morning where we will cover:

• Editing exercises to improve editing skills.

• Future direction of projects

• Final portfolio review/critique of work

Join a master of the photo-essay for a one-week exploration of the simultaneously disciplined strategy and magical process that turns a bunch of simple pictures into a powerful photo-essay.