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How to Create an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

Photo essays tell a story in pictures. They're a great way to improve at photography and story-telling skills at once. Learn how to do create a great one.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ana Mireles

Photography is a medium used to tell stories – sometimes they are told in one picture, sometimes you need a whole series. Those series can be photo essays.

If you’ve never done a photo essay before, or you’re simply struggling to find your next project, this article will be of help. I’ll be showing you what a photo essay is and how to go about doing one.

You’ll also find plenty of photo essay ideas and some famous photo essay examples from recent times that will serve you as inspiration.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a series of images that share an overarching theme as well as a visual and technical coherence to tell a story. Some people refer to a photo essay as a photo series or a photo story – this often happens in photography competitions.

Photographic history is full of famous photo essays. Think about The Great Depression by Dorothea Lange, Like Brother Like Sister by Wolfgang Tillmans, Gandhi’s funeral by Henri Cartier Bresson, amongst others.

What are the types of photo essay?

Despite popular belief, the type of photo essay doesn’t depend on the type of photography that you do – in other words, journalism, documentary, fine art, or any other photographic genre is not a type of photo essay.

Instead, there are two main types of photo essays: narrative and thematic .

As you have probably already guessed, the thematic one presents images pulled together by a topic – for example, global warming. The images can be about animals and nature as well as natural disasters devastating cities. They can happen all over the world or in the same location, and they can be captured in different moments in time – there’s a lot of flexibility.

A narrative photo essa y, on the other hand, tells the story of a character (human or not), portraying a place or an event. For example, a narrative photo essay on coffee would document the process from the planting and harvesting – to the roasting and grinding until it reaches your morning cup.

What are some of the key elements of a photo essay?

• Tell a unique story – A unique story doesn’t mean that you have to photograph something that nobody has done before – that would be almost impossible! It means that you should consider what you’re bringing to the table on a particular topic.
• Put yourself into the work – One of the best ways to make a compelling photo essay is by adding your point of view, which can only be done with your life experiences and the way you see the world.
• Add depth to the concept – The best photo essays are the ones that go past the obvious and dig deeper in the story, going behind the scenes, or examining a day in the life of the subject matter – that’s what pulls in the spectator.
• Nail the technique – Even if the concept and the story are the most important part of a photo essay, it won’t have the same success if it’s poorly executed.
• Build a structure – A photo essay is about telling a thought-provoking story – so, think about it in a narrative way. Which images are going to introduce the topic? Which ones represent a climax? How is it going to end – how do you want the viewer to feel after seeing your photo series?
• Make strong choices – If you really want to convey an emotion and a unique point of view, you’re going to need to make some hard decisions. Which light are you using? Which lens? How many images will there be in the series? etc., and most importantly for a great photo essay is the why behind those choices.

9 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

Credit: Laura James

1. Choose something you know

To make a good photo essay, you don’t need to travel to an exotic location or document a civil war – I mean, it’s great if you can, but you can start close to home.

Depending on the type of photography you do and the topic you’re looking for in your photographic essay, you can photograph a local event or visit an abandoned building outside your town.

It will be much easier for you to find a unique perspective and tell a better story if you’re already familiar with the subject. Also, consider that you might have to return a few times to the same location to get all the photos you need.

2. Follow your passion

Most photo essays take dedication and passion. If you choose a subject that might be easy, but you’re not really into it – the results won’t be as exciting. Taking photos will always be easier and more fun if you’re covering something you’re passionate about.

3. Take your time

A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That’s why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you’re not passionate about it – it’s difficult to push through.

4. Write a summary or statement

Photo essays are always accompanied by some text. You can do this in the form of an introduction, write captions for each photo or write it as a conclusion. That’s up to you and how you want to present the work.

5. Learn from the masters

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Making a photographic essay takes a lot of practice and knowledge. A great way to become a better photographer and improve your storytelling skills is by studying the work of others. You can go to art shows, review books and magazines and look at the winners in photo contests – most of the time, there’s a category for photo series.

6. Get a wide variety of photos

Think about a story – a literary one. It usually tells you where the story is happening, who is the main character, and it gives you a few details to make you engage with it, right?

The same thing happens with a visual story in a photo essay – you can do some wide-angle shots to establish the scenes and some close-ups to show the details. Make a shot list to ensure you cover all the different angles.

Some of your pictures should guide the viewer in, while others are more climatic and regard the experience they are taking out of your photos.

7. Follow a consistent look

Both in style and aesthetics, all the images in your series need to be coherent. You can achieve this in different ways, from the choice of lighting, the mood, the post-processing, etc.

8. Be self-critical

Once you have all the photos, make sure you edit them with a good dose of self-criticism. Not all the pictures that you took belong in the photo essay. Choose only the best ones and make sure they tell the full story.

9. Ask for constructive feedback

Often, when we’re working on a photo essay project for a long time, everything makes perfect sense in our heads. However, someone outside the project might not be getting the idea. It’s important that you get honest and constructive criticism to improve your photography.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 5 Steps

Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

1. Choose your topic

This is the first step that you need to take to decide if your photo essay is going to be narrative or thematic. Then, choose what is it going to be about?

Ideally, it should be something that you’re interested in, that you have something to say about it, and it can connect with other people.

2. Research your topic

To tell a good story about something, you need to be familiar with that something. This is especially true when you want to go deeper and make a compelling photo essay. Day in the life photo essays are a popular choice, since often, these can be performed with friends and family, whom you already should know well.

3. Plan your photoshoot

Depending on what you’re photographing, this step can be very different from one project to the next. For a fine art project, you might need to find a location, props, models, a shot list, etc., while a documentary photo essay is about planning the best time to do the photos, what gear to bring with you, finding a local guide, etc.

Every photo essay will need different planning, so before taking pictures, put in the required time to get things right.

4. Experiment

It’s one thing to plan your photo shoot and having a shot list that you have to get, or else the photo essay won’t be complete. It’s another thing to miss out on some amazing photo opportunities that you couldn’t foresee.

So, be prepared but also stay open-minded and experiment with different settings, different perspectives, etc.

5. Make a final selection

Editing your work can be one of the hardest parts of doing a photo essay. Sometimes we can be overly critical, and others, we get attached to bad photos because we put a lot of effort into them or we had a great time doing them.

Try to be as objective as possible, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and make various revisions before settling down on a final cut.

7 Photo Essay Topics, Ideas & Examples

Credit: Michelle Leman

• Architectural photo essay

Using architecture as your main subject, there are tons of photo essay ideas that you can do. For some inspiration, you can check out the work of Francisco Marin – who was trained as an architect and then turned to photography to “explore a different way to perceive things”.

You can also lookup Luisa Lambri. Amongst her series, you’ll find many photo essay examples in which architecture is the subject she uses to explore the relationship between photography and space.

• Process and transformation photo essay

This is one of the best photo essay topics for beginners because the story tells itself. Pick something that has a beginning and an end, for example, pregnancy, the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the life-cycle of a plant, etc.

Keep in mind that these topics are linear and give you an easy way into the narrative flow – however, it might be difficult to find an interesting perspective and a unique point of view.

• A day in the life of ‘X’ photo essay

There are tons of interesting photo essay ideas in this category – you can follow around a celebrity, a worker, your child, etc. You don’t even have to do it about a human subject – think about doing a photo essay about a day in the life of a racing horse, for example – find something that’s interesting for you.

• Time passing by photo essay

It can be a natural site or a landmark photo essay – whatever is close to you will work best as you’ll need to come back multiple times to capture time passing by. For example, how this place changes throughout the seasons or maybe even over the years.

A fun option if you live with family is to document a birthday party each year, seeing how the subject changes over time. This can be combined with a transformation essay or sorts, documenting the changes in interpersonal relationships over time.

• Travel photo essay

Do you want to make the jump from tourist snapshots into a travel photo essay? Research the place you’re going to be travelling to. Then, choose a topic.

If you’re having trouble with how to do this, check out any travel magazine – National Geographic, for example. They won’t do a generic article about Texas – they do an article about the beach life on the Texas Gulf Coast and another one about the diverse flavors of Texas.

The more specific you get, the deeper you can go with the story.

• Socio-political issues photo essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples – it falls under the category of photojournalism or documental photography. They are usually thematic, although it’s also possible to do a narrative one.

Depending on your topic of interest, you can choose topics that involve nature – for example, document the effects of global warming. Another idea is to photograph protests or make an education photo essay.

It doesn’t have to be a big global issue; you can choose something specific to your community – are there too many stray dogs? Make a photo essay about a local animal shelter. The topics are endless.

• Behind the scenes photo essay

A behind-the-scenes always make for a good photo story – people are curious to know what happens and how everything comes together before a show.

Depending on your own interests, this can be a photo essay about a fashion show, a theatre play, a concert, and so on. You’ll probably need to get some permissions, though, not only to shoot but also to showcase or publish those images.

4 Best Photo Essays in Recent times

Now that you know all the techniques about it, it might be helpful to look at some photo essay examples to see how you can put the concept into practice. Here are some famous photo essays from recent times to give you some inspiration.

Habibi by Antonio Faccilongo

This photo essay wan the World Press Photo Story of the Year in 2021. Faccilongo explores a very big conflict from a very specific and intimate point of view – how the Israeli-Palestinian war affects the families.

He chose to use a square format because it allows him to give order to things and eliminate unnecessary elements in his pictures.

With this long-term photo essay, he wanted to highlight the sense of absence and melancholy women and families feel towards their husbands away at war.

The project then became a book edited by Sarah Leen and the graphics of Ramon Pez.

Picture This: New Orleans by Mary Ellen Mark

The last assignment before her passing, Mary Ellen Mark travelled to New Orleans to register the city after a decade after Hurricane Katrina.

The images of the project “bring to life the rebirth and resilience of the people at the heart of this tale”, – says CNNMoney, commissioner of the work.

Each survivor of the hurricane has a story, and Mary Ellen Mark was there to record it. Some of them have heartbreaking stories about everything they had to leave behind.

Others have a story of hope – like Sam and Ben, two eight-year-olds born from frozen embryos kept in a hospital that lost power supply during the hurricane, yet they managed to survive.

Selfie by Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer whose work is mainly done through self-portraits. With them, she explores the concept of identity, gender stereotypes, as well as visual and cultural codes.

One of her latest photo essays was a collaboration with W Magazine entitled Selfie. In it, the author explores the concept of planned candid photos (‘plandid’).

The work was made for Instagram, as the platform is well known for the conflict between the ‘real self’ and the one people present online. Sherman started using Facetune, Perfect365 and YouCam to alter her appearance on selfies – in Photoshop, you can modify everything, but these apps were designed specifically to “make things prettier”- she says, and that’s what she wants to explore in this photo essay.

Tokyo Compression by Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has an interest in the broad-gauge topic Life in Cities. From there, many photo essays have been derived – amongst them – Tokyo Compression .

He was horrified by the way people in Tokyo are forced to move to the suburbs because of the high prices of the city. Therefore, they are required to make long commutes facing 1,5 hours of train to start their 8+ hour workday followed by another 1,5 hours to get back home.

To portray this way of life, he photographed the people inside the train pressed against the windows looking exhausted, angry or simply absent due to this way of life.

You can visit his website to see other photo essays that revolve around the topic of life in megacities.

Final Words

It’s not easy to make photo essays, so don’t expect to be great at it right from your first project.

Start off small by choosing a specific subject that’s interesting to you –  that will come from an honest place, and it will be a great practice for some bigger projects along the line.

Whether you like to shoot still life or you’re a travel photographer, I hope these photo essay tips and photo essay examples can help you get started and grow in your photography.

Let us know which topics you are working on right now – we’ll love to hear from you!

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

Penelope G. To Ana Mireles Such a well written and helpful article for an writer who wants to inclue photo essay in her memoir. Thank you. I will get to work on this new skill. Penelope G.

Herman Krieger Photo essays in black and white

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23 Photo Essay Ideas and Examples (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!)

A Post By: Kevin Landwer-Johan

Looking for inspiration? Our 23 photo essay ideas will take your photography skills to new heights!

A single, strong photograph can convey a lot of information about its subject – but sometimes we have topics that require more than one image to do the job. That’s when it’s time to make a photo essay: a collection of pictures that together tell the bigger story around a chosen theme.

In the following sections, we’ll explore various photo essay ideas and examples that cover a wide range of subjects and purposes. From capturing the growth of your children to documenting local festivals, each idea offers an exciting opportunity to tell a story through your lens, whether you’re a hobbyist or a veteran professional.

So grab your camera, unleash your creativity, and let’s delve into the wonderful world of photo essay examples!

What is a photo essay?

Simply put, a photo essay is a series of carefully selected images woven together to tell a story or convey a message. Think of it as a visual narrative that designed to capture attention and spark emotions.

Now, these images can revolve around a broad theme or focus on a specific storyline. For instance, you might create a photo essay celebrating the joy of companionship by capturing 10 heartwarming pictures of people sharing genuine laughter. On the other hand, you could have a photo essay delving into the everyday lives of fishermen in Wales by following a single fisherman’s journey for a day or even a week.

It’s important to note that photo essays don’t necessarily have to stick to absolute truth. While some documentary photographers prefer to keep it authentic, others may employ techniques like manipulation or staging to create a more artistic impact. So there is room for creativity and interpretation.

Why you should create a photo essay

Photo essays have a way of expressing ideas and stories that words sometimes struggle to capture. They offer a visual narrative that can be incredibly powerful and impactful.

Firstly, photo essays are perfect when you have an idea or a point you want to convey, but you find yourself at a loss for words. Sometimes, emotions and concepts are better conveyed through images rather than paragraphs. So if you’re struggling to articulate a message, you can let your photos do the talking for you.

Second, if you’re interested in subjects that are highly visual, like the mesmerizing forms of architecture within a single city, photo essays are the way to go. Trying to describe the intricate details of a building or the play of light and shadows with words alone can be challenging. But through a series of captivating images, you can immerse your audience in the architecture.

And finally, if you’re aiming to evoke emotions or make a powerful statement, photo essays are outstanding. Images have an incredible ability to shock, inspire, and move people in ways that words often struggle to achieve. So if you want to raise awareness about an environmental issue or ignite a sense of empathy, a compelling series of photographs can have a profound impact.

Photo essay examples and ideas

Looking to create a photo essay but don’t know where to start? Here are some handy essay ideas and examples for inspiration!

1. A day in the life

Your first photo essay idea is simple: Track a life over the course of one day. You might make an essay about someone else’s life. Or the life of a location, such as the sidewalk outside your house. 

The subject matter you choose is up to you. But start in the morning and create a series of images showing your subject over the course of a typical day.

(Alternatively, you can document your subject on a special day, like a birthday, a wedding, or some other celebration.)

2. Capture hands

Portraits focus on a subject’s face – but why not mix it up and make a photo essay that focuses on your subject’s hands?

(You can also focus on a collection of different people’s hands.)

Hands can tell you a lot about a person. And showing them in context is a great way to narrate a story.

3. Follow a sports team for a full season

Sports are all about emotions – both from the passionate players and the dedicated fans. While capturing the intensity of a single game can be exhilarating, imagine the power of telling the complete story of a team throughout an entire season.

For the best results, you’ll need to invest substantial time in sports photography. Choose a team that resonates with you and ensure their games are within a drivable distance. By photographing their highs and lows, celebrations and challenges, you’ll create a compelling photo essay that traces their journey from the first game to the last.

4. A child and their parent

Photographs that catch the interaction between parents and children are special. A parent-child connection is strong and unique, so making powerful images isn’t challenging. You just need to be ready to capture the special moments as they happen. 

You might concentrate on a parent teaching their child. Or the pair playing sports. Or working on a special project.

Use your imagination, and you’ll have a great time with this theme.

5. Tell a local artist’s story 

I’ve always enjoyed photographing artists as they work; studios have a creative vibe, so the energy is already there. Bring your camera into this environment and try to tell the artist’s story!

An artist’s studio offers plenty of opportunities for wonderful photo essays. Think about the most fascinating aspects of the artist’s process. What do they do that makes their art special? Aim to show this in your photos.

Many people appreciate fine art, but they’re often not aware of what happens behind the scenes. So documenting an artist can produce fascinating visual stories.

6. Show a tradesperson’s process

Do you have a plumber coming over to fix your kitchen sink? Is a builder making you a new deck?

Take photos while they work! Tell them what you want to do before you start, and don’t forget to share your photos with them.

They’ll probably appreciate seeing what they do from another perspective. They may even want to use your photos on their company website.

7. Photograph your kids as they grow

There’s something incredibly special about documenting the growth of our little ones. Kids grow up so quickly – before you know it, they’re moving out. Why not capture the beautiful moments along the way by creating a heartwarming photo essay that showcases their growth?

There are various approaches you can take, but one idea is to capture regular photos of your kids standing in front of a distinct point of reference, such as the refrigerator. Over a year or several years, you can gather these images and place them side by side to witness your childrens’ incredible transformations.

8. Cover a local community event

A school fundraiser, a tree-planting day at a park, or a parade; these are are all community events that make for good photo essay ideas.

Think like a photojournalist . What type of images would your editor want? Make sure to capture some wide-angle compositions , some medium shots, and some close-ups.

(Getting in close to show the details can often tell as much of a story as the wider pictures.)

9. Show fresh market life

Markets are great for photography because there’s always plenty of activity and lots of characters. Think of how you can best illustrate the flow of life at the market. What are the vendors doing that’s most interesting? What are the habits of the shoppers?

Look to capture the essence of the place. Try to portray the people who work and shop there.

10. Shoot the same location over time

What location do you visit regularly? Is there a way you can make an interesting photo essay about it?

Consider what you find most attractive and ugly about the place. Look for aspects that change over time. 

Any outdoor location will look different throughout the day. Also think about the changes that occur from season to season. Create an essay that tells the story of the place.

11. Document a local festival

Festivals infuse cities and towns with vibrant energy and unique cultural experiences. Even if your own town doesn’t have notable festivals, chances are a neighboring town does. Explore the magic of these celebrations by documenting a local festival through your lens.

Immerse yourself in the festivities, arriving early and staying late. Capture the colorful displays and the people who make the festival come alive. If the festival spans multiple days, consider focusing on different areas each time you visit to create a diverse and comprehensive photo essay that truly reflects the essence of the event.

12. Photograph a garden through the seasons

It might be your own garden . It could be the neighbor’s. It could even be the garden at your local park.

Think about how the plants change during the course of a year. Capture photos of the most significant visual differences, then present them as a photo essay.

13. Show your local town or city

After spending several years in a particular area, you likely possess an intimate knowledge of your local town or city. Why not utilize that familiarity to create a captivating photo essay that showcases the essence of your community?

Delve into what makes your town special, whether it’s the charming streets, unique landmarks, or the people who shape its character. Dedicate time to capturing the diverse aspects that define your locale. If you’re up for a more extensive project, consider photographing the town over the course of an entire year, capturing the changing seasons and the dynamic spirit of your community.

14. Pick a local cause to highlight

Photo essays can go beyond passive documentation; they can become a part of your activism, too!

So find a cause that matters to you. Tell the story of some aspect of community life that needs improvement. Is there an ongoing issue with litter in your area? How about traffic; is there a problematic intersection?

Document these issues, then make sure to show the photos to people responsible for taking action.

15. Making a meal

Photo essay ideas can be about simple, everyday things – like making a meal or a coffee.

How can you creatively illustrate something that seems so mundane? My guess is that, when you put your mind to it, you can come up with many unique perspectives, all of which will make great stories.

16. Capture the life of a flower

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Flowers, with their mesmerizing colors and rapid life cycles, offer a captivating subject for a photo essay. Try to slow down and appreciate the intricate details of a flower’s existence.

With a macro lens in hand, document a single flower or a patch of flowers from their initial shoots to their inevitable wilting and decomposition. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to bring viewers into the enchanting world of the flower. By freezing these fleeting moments, you’ll create a visual narrative that celebrates the cycle of life and the exquisite beauty found in nature’s delicate creations.

17. Religious traditions

Religion is often rich with visual expression in one form or another. So capture it!

Of course, you may need to narrow down your ideas and choose a specific aspect of worship to photograph. Aim to show what people do when they visit a holy place, or how they pray on their own. Illustrate what makes their faith real and what’s special about it.

18. Historic sites

Historic sites are often iconic, and plenty of photographers take a snapshot or two.

But with a photo essay, you can illustrate the site’s history in greater depth.

Look for details of the location that many visitors miss. And use these to build an interesting story.

19. Show the construction of a building

Ever been away from a familiar place for a while only to return and find that things have changed? It happens all the time, especially in areas undergoing constant development. So why not grab your camera and document this transformation?

Here’s the idea: Find a building that’s currently under construction in your area. It could be a towering skyscraper, a modern office complex, or even a small-scale residential project. Whatever catches your eye! Then let the magic of photography unfold.

Make it a habit to take a photo every day or two. Watch as the building gradually takes shape and evolves. Capture the construction workers in action, the cranes reaching for the sky, and the scaffolding supporting the structure.

Once the building is complete, you’ll have a treasure trove of images that chronicle its construction from start to finish!

20. Document the changing skyline of the city

This photo essay example is like the previous one, except it works on a much larger scale. Instead of photographing a single building as it’s built, find a nice vantage point outside your nearest city, then photograph the changing skyline.

To create a remarkable photo essay showcasing the changing skyline, you’ll need to scout out the perfect vantage point. Seek high ground that offers a commanding view of the city, allowing you to frame the skyline against the horizon. Look for spots that give you an unobstructed perspective, whether a rooftop terrace, a hillside park, or even a nearby bridge.

As you set out on your photography expedition, be patient and observant. Cities don’t transform overnight; they change gradually over time. Embrace the passage of days, weeks, and months as you witness the slow evolution unfold.

Pro tip: To capture the essence of this transformation, experiment with various photographic techniques. Play with different angles, framing, and compositions to convey the grandeur and dynamism of the changing skyline. Plus, try shooting during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset , when the soft light bathes the city in a warm glow and accentuates the architectural details.

21. Photograph your pet

If you’re a pet owner, you already have the perfect subject for a photo essay!

All pets , with the possible exception of pet rocks, will provide you with a collection of interesting moments to photograph.

So collect these moments with your camera – then display them as a photo essay showing the nature and character of your pet.

22. Tell the story of a local nature preserve

Ah, the wonders of a local nature preserve! While it may not boast the grandeur of Yosemite National Park, these hidden gems hold their own beauty, just waiting to be discovered and captured through the lens of your camera.

To embark on this type of photo essay adventure, start by exploring all the nooks and crannies of your chosen nature preserve. Wander along its winding trails, keeping an eye out for unique and captivating subjects that convey the essence of the preserve.

As you go along, try to photograph the intricate details of delicate wildflowers, the interplay of light filtering through a dense forest canopy, and the lively activities of birds and other wildlife.

23. Show the same subject from multiple perspectives

It’s possible to create an entire photo essay in a single afternoon – or even in a handful of minutes. If you don’t love the idea of dedicating yourself to days of photographing for a single essay, this is a great option.

Simply find a subject you like, then endeavor to capture 10 unique images that include it. I’d recommend photographing from different angles: up above, down low, from the right and left. You can also try getting experimental with creative techniques, such as intentional camera movement and freelensing. If all goes well, you’ll have a very cool set of images featuring one of your favorite subjects!

By showcasing the same subject from multiple perspectives, you invite viewers on a visual journey. They get to see different facets, textures, and details that they might have overlooked in a single photograph. It adds depth and richness to your photo essay, making it both immersive and dynamic.

Photo essay ideas: final words

Remember: Photo essays are all about communicating a concept or a story through images rather than words. So embrace the process and use images to express yourself!

Whether you choose to follow a sports team through a thrilling season, document the growth of your little ones, or explore the hidden treasures of your local town, each photo essay has its own magic waiting to be unlocked. It’s a chance to explore your creativity and create images in your own style.

So look at the world around you. Grab your gear and venture out into the wild. Embrace the beauty of nature, the energy of a bustling city, or the quiet moments that make life special. Consider what you see every day. What aspects interest you the most? Photograph those things.

You’re bound to end up with some amazing photo essays!

Now over to you:

Do you have any photo essay examples you’re proud of? Do you have any more photo essay ideas? Share your thoughts and images in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

Kevin Landwer-Johan is a photographer, photography teacher, and author with over 30 years of experience that he loves to share with others.

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18 Immersive Photo Essay Examples & Tips

By Tata Rossi 13 days ago, Professional photography

A photo essay tells a story or evokes emotion through a series of photographs. The essays allow you to be creative and fully explore an idea. Such essays exist in a variety of forms – from photos only to images with brief comments or written essays accompanied by shots. Choose a photo essay example that you can easily do based on your professional level and the equipment you use.

1. Protests

• View the “Resistance” photo essay by David Moore .

A great idea for photo essays for students is to shoot the protest to show its power. You can capture people with signs and banners to demonstrate what they are standing for. Besides, you can learn how to capture moving subjects. Use the best example of photo essay and don’t forget about angles, composition, and framing.

To create a photo essay , go up to the front and photograph the leader of the protesters walking forward. After that, go back to the end of the group to take pictures of families joining the protest. As a result, you will gain experience shooting big groups of people in motion.

2. Transformation

• View the “A Self-Portrait Every Day” photo essay by Noah Kalina .

This idea is all about capturing the way a person changes. You may take photos of a pregnant woman and then capture the same model with a child. By documenting the development of the child for several years, you can tell a great story in the form of a photo essay.

However, you can also create a photo essay about the transformation of different objects. For instance, you can create a time-lapse series to capture the history of a renovated building. While you will have to take a lot of similar photos to bring this idea to life, it will allow you to achieve an impressive result.

3. Local Event

• View the “Monday Marathon” photo essay by Quinn G. Perini .

Whether you are a resident of a large city or a small town, you can find an opportunity to visit a local event, like a marathon or a festival. This is a nice chance to follow modern photography trends and bring photo essay ideas to life.

You can capture the before-and-after stages of the event. Arrive earlier and take pictures of the preparation activities, then shoot the actual event starting with the official beginning.

Keep photographing even when the event is over and capture the cleaning up and disassembling processes.

4. Photowalk

• View the “Empty Campus” photo essay by Elise Trissel .

Explore the location where you live and find interesting objects to capture in the vicinity. Using the most interesting photo essay examples, you can decide how to make the best decisions. Don’t hurry and try to discover which angles you can use to capture the unique atmosphere of each place.

If you live in the city, you may capture architectural details, wide shots of busy streets, or just take photos of passersby and street signs. Think about the details that make every location unique. For instance, you can try capturing reflections to see how they allow you to see the city from an unusual angle. You can find reflections everywhere, so be sure to pay attention to mirrored buildings, puddles, and fountains.

5. Place Over Time

• View the “At Home in the Ozarks” photo essay by Kylee Cole .

If you want to document changes and show how the streets, buildings, and parks in your city change over time, select your favorite locations and start to visit them regularly to capture the way they look during different seasons.

• View the “Last Moments” photo essay by Ross Taylor .

You don’t necessarily have to focus on profound photo essay topics to evoke emotions. Capturing pets enjoying their worry-free and untroubled life seems like an easy but interesting activity.

Choose any animal – from a domestic bird to a dog, cat, or horse. For more emotional images, use such pet photography ideas when your pet is still a baby and recreate these shots when it is older or is in its final days.

7. Street Style

• View the Tribal Street Photography photo essay by Hans Eijkelboom .

People often express themselves with the help of clothes. The way passers-by on the streets are dressed may reflect the clothing style of a whole society. That’s why you can travel around the world and capture people’s outfits in various areas. When taking portrait photos in the streets, you can also include some of the surroundings to put them in the context.

You can ask people in the streets to pose for you or try to capture them in movement. Select a suitable location for taking photos and create a photo essay to document what kinds of people one can meet in this location. When doing urban photography , you should ask people for permission before taking photos of them. You can ask their contacts and send them your photos later.

8. Abandoned Building

• View the “Lost Collective” photo essay by Bret Pattman .

Old buildings are excellent architecture photography essay topics for students since you can capture a large number of elements. They allow you to imagine what a particular street looked like in the past. You may use a photo essay example for students as references.

Get approval before going in, but mind that such places are far from being totally safe. Bring various lenses: the macro lenses – for details and the wide-angle one – when you want to include many elements in one shot.

9. Alternative Lifestyles

• View the “Last Nomad Hippies” photo essay by Roberto Palomo .

Some people decide to lead a lifestyle that differs from the one generally accepted by society. Explore different areas and look for people with an unusual way of living. You can capture candid photos of regular people or take pictures of a person with an unusual hobby.

Take pictures of those, who reside in extraordinary conditions, representatives of various subcultures, or the LBGTQ community. These photo essay topics show other people that it is okay to go out of their comfort zone and run against the wind.

10. Social Issues

• View the “Juveniles in Prison” photo essay by Isadora Kosofsky .

The best photo essay examples for students are related to social issues, like unemployment, domestic violence, gender discrimination, and more. Address the topic carefully and look for a proper perspective.

Your shots may draw the people’s attention to a truly burning and relevant matter and have a stronger effect than any text.

11. Behind the Scenes

• View the “Follow Me” photo essay by Marius Masalar .

If you are going to visit an event, get ready to take some behind-the-scenes photos. For instance, you can document the preparations for a festival. Capture the work of the lead event planner and other professionals to tell the story of the festival from an unusual angle.

Alternatively, you can capture the events happening backstage during a drama production. Take pictures of actors and actresses when they are getting ready for the performance. Try capturing the emotions of the main lead and show how stage workers make final preparations. You can also document the work of designers and makeup professionals.

12. Landmarks

• View the “Volte-Face” photo essay by Oliver Curtis .

The pictures of landmarks are typically taken from a certain spot. One of the best photo essay ideas is to try shooting sights from various angles. You will also have an opportunity to improve your composition and your framing skills.

If you take a look at any pictorial essay example, you will see that the variety of perspectives is endless: through the streets, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, with a drone or including reflections.

    • View the “Family” photo essay by Olivia Moore .

You can capture the way family members interact with each other and demonstrate the strong connection they share. In some cases, it makes sense to focus on capturing candid photos when doing family photography .

However, you may also opt for a different approach and focus on more difficult social topics. For instance, if you want to examine the issue of immigration, you can take pictures of a family from another country. In addition, you may show how families cope with other social issues, including poverty or unequal access to healthcare.

14. A Day in the Life

• View the “A Day in the Life of Carlos Gaytan” photo essay by Sandy Noto .

One of the best photo essays concepts is related to a day in a person’s life. The main character can be any person – a relative, family member, teacher, writer, or policeman.

People are generally interested in finding out facts about the lives and daily routines of others. The life of every human is incredible, especially if you learn it in more detail. This idea is especially suitable for taking documentary photos. For instance, you can select any photo essay sample you like and then capture a portrait of a person with the tools they use for their work.

15. Education

• View the “School Day” photo essay by Nancy Borowick .

You can also take great photos in the classroom capturing the interactions of teachers and their students. Avoid distracting them, as it will be easier for you to take natural shots. Using a variety of settings, you can make your photo essay more engaging. For instance, you may visit chemistry labs, capture teachers during a break, and take photos in other locations.

• View the “Meals From the Motherland” photo essay by James Tran .

You can also focus on specific meals to create a professional photo essay about food. To make it more attention-grabbing, try using different food photography ideas .

For instance, you can take photos of popular meals, capture the meals made by a specific person, or document cooking traditions in different countries. When taking photos in a restaurant, pay attention to the surroundings as well to capture the unique atmosphere of a place.

17. Capture the Neighbors

• View the “Our Neighbors” photo essay by Jeanne Martin .

Regardless of the place where you live, you have to establish good relationships with your neighbors. People who live nearby can also be great models for professionals who specialize in portrait photography. To implement this idea, make sure to capture people at home or in front of their houses to include some of the surroundings in your photo essay.

You will discover many interesting facts about people who live nearby. Shooting a photo essay will allow you to learn them better and establish a strong connection with them. This way, you can create a sense of community and discover what holds its members together.

18. Climate Change

• View the “Effects of Climate Change” photo essay by Sanya Gupta .

It is possible to a variety of photo story ideas bring to life examining the impact of climate change. Travel to places most affected by climate change, for instance, glaciers or famous resorts.

Capture the way the continuous drought has influenced the environment, animals, and the inhabitants. As an alternative, take pictures of environmentalist protests or inexhaustible energy sources.

Photo Essay Tips for Students

Explore your topic . An in-depth exploration of the main topic of your photo essay will help you find the best ideas for conveying your message. You can also find some sources for inspiration and useful materials. This stage allows you to learn more about your subject and select the best way of organizing your photo essay.

Create a storyboard . Using a storyboard, you can better understand what shots you need to take and what order can help you to tell a story in the best way. It will also allow you to create the right mood.

Take as many pictures as you can . To create a compelling story, make sure to take a lot of photos. It will allow you to choose the best pictures for your photo essay. Besides, you will always have backup photos if some of your pictures get damaged.

Experiment with different techniques . By changing the angle and using a variety of editing techniques, you can transform the way your photos look. When taking photos, try using different angles to capture the subject in the best way. You can also try changing the distance from the model, using black-and-white film, or employing a range of developing methods.

Add text . While some photographers create photo essays without text, it can still help you bring your point across more clearly and make it easier for a viewer to understand what you imply. By providing extra information, such as some facts, you can change the perception of your image. If you don’t know how to write descriptions, you can hire a professional writer to perform this task.

Enhance your photos . To edit your pictures, make sure to use professional photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Using the available tools, you can improve and change your photos. They allow you to fix issues with lighting, adjust WB, make colors richer, crop your pics to improve the composition, and perform other tasks. In case you need to edit your photos in a consistent style, you can use Photoshop Actions or Lightroom Presets.

In some cases, your pictures may require more advanced editing. If you see that your skills are insufficient or if you don’t have enough time, you can outsource the task of enhancing your photos to the FixThePhoto team. They will professionally enhance your pictures for a budget price. Their prices start from $1.50 per photo.

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How to Create a Photo Essay in 9 Steps (with Examples)

Photo Editing , Tutorials

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What is a photo essay?

• Photo essays vs photo stories
• How photo essays help you
• 9 Steps to create photo essays

How to share your photo essays

Read Time: 11 minutes

Gather up a handful of images that seem to go together, and voila! It’s a photo essay, right? Well… no. Though, this is a common misconception.

In reality, a photo essay is much more thoughtful and structured than that. When you take the time to craft one, you’re using skills from all facets of our craft – from composition to curation.

In this guide, you’ll learn what makes a photo essay an amazing project that stretches your skills. You'll also learn exactly how to make one step by step.

• Photo essay vs photo story

A photo essay is a collection of images based around a theme, a topic, a creative approach, or an exploration of an idea. Photo essays balance visual variety with a cohesive style and concept.

What's the difference between a photo essay and a photo story?

The terms photo essay and photo story are often used interchangeably. Even the dictionary definition of “photo essay” includes using images to convey either a theme or a story.

But in my experience, a photo essay and a photo story are two different things. As you delve into the field of visual storytelling, distinguishing between the two helps you to take a purposeful approach to what you’re making .

The differences ultimately lie in the distinctions between theme, topic and story.

Themes are big-picture concepts. Example: Wildness

Topics are more specific than themes, but still overarching. Example : Wild bears of Yellowstone National Park

Stories are specific instances or experiences that happen within, or provide an example for, a topic or theme. Example: A certain wild bear became habituated to tourists and was relocated to maintain its wildness

Unlike a theme or topic, a story has particular elements that make it a story. They include leading characters, a setting, a narrative arc, conflict, and (usually) resolution.

With that in mind, we can distingush between a photo essay and a photo story.

Themes and Topics vs Stories

A photo essay revolves around a topic, theme, idea, or concept. It visually explores a big-picture something .

This allows a good deal of artistic leeway where a photographer can express their vision, philosophies, opinions, or artistic expression as they create their images.

A photo story  is a portfolio of images that illustrate – you guessed it – a story.

Because of this, there are distinct types of images that a photo story uses that add to the understanding, insight, clarity and meaning to the story for viewers. While they can certainly be artistically crafted and visually stunning, photo stories document something happening, and rely on visual variety for capturing the full experience.

A photo essay doesn’t need to have the same level of structured variety that a photo story requires. It can have images that overlap or are similar, as they each explore various aspects of a theme.

Photo essays can be about any topic. If you live in a city, consider using your nature photography to make an essay about the wildlife that lives in your neighborhood . 

The role of text with photos

A photo story typically runs alongside text that narrates the story. We're a visual species, and the images help us feel like we are there, experiencing what's happening. So, the images add significant power to the text, but they're often a partner to it.

This isn’t always the case, of course. Sometimes photo stories don’t need or use text. It’s like reading a graphic novel that doesn’t use text. Moving through the different images that build on each other ultimately unveils the narrative.

Photo essays don’t need to rely on text to illuminate the images' theme or topic. The photographer may use captions (or even a text essay), or they may let the images speak for themselves.

Definitions are helpful guidelines (not strict rules)

Some people categorize photo essays as either narrative or thematic. That's essentially just calling photo stories “narrative photo essays” and photo essays “thematic photo essays.”

But, a story is a defined thing, and any writer/editor will tell you themes and topics are not the same as stories. And we use the word “story” in our daily lives as it’s defined. So, it makes far more sense to name the difference between a photo essay and a photo story, and bask in the same clarity writers enjoy .

Photo stories illustrate a particular experience, event, narrative, something that happened or is happening.

Photo essays explore an idea, concept, topic, theme, creative approach, big-picture something .

Both photo essays and photo stories are immensely powerful visual tools. And yes, the differences between them can certainly be blurred, as is always the case with art.

Simply use this distinction as a general guideline, providing extra clarity around what you’re making and why you're making it.

To dig into specific types of images used to create powerful photo stories, check out this training: 6 Must-Have Shots for a Photo Story. 

Meanwhile, let’s dig deeper into photo essays.

Photo essays are a chance to try new styles or techniques that stretch your skills and creativity. This image was part of an essay exploring simplicity and shape, and helped me learn new skills in black and white post-processing.

How photo essays improve your photography

Creating photo essays is an amazing antidote if you’ve ever felt a lack of direction or purpose in your photography. Photo essays help build your photographic skills in at least 3 important ways.

1. You become more strategic in creating a body of work

It's easy to get stuck in a rut of photographing whatever pops up in front of you. And when you do, you end up with a collection of stand-alone shots.

These singles may work fine as a print, a quick Instagram post, or an addition to your gallery of shots on your website. But amassing a bunch of one-off shots limits your opportunities as a photographer for everything from exhibits to getting your work published.

Building photo essays pushes you to think strategically about what you photograph, why, and how. You're working toward a particular deliverable – a cohesive visual essay – with the images you create.

This elevates your skills in crafting your photo essay, and in how you curate the rest of your work, from galleries on your website to selecting images to sell as prints .

2. You become more purposeful in your composition skills

Composition is so much more than just following the rule of thirds, golden spirals, or thinking about the angle of light in a shot.

Composition is also about thinking ahead in what you’re trying to accomplish with a photograph – from what you’re saying through it to its emotional impact on a viewer – and where it fits within a larger body of work.

Photo essays push you to think critically about each shot – from coming up with fresh compositions for familiar subjects, to devising surprising compositions to fit within a collection, to creating compositions that expand on what’s already in a photo essay.

You’re pushed beyond creating a single pleasing frame, which leads you to shoot more thoughtfully and proactively than ever.

(Here’s a podcast episode on switching from reactive shooting to proactive shooting.)

3. You develop strong editing and curation skills

Selecting which images stay, and which get left behind is one of the hardest jobs on a photographer’s to-do list. Mostly, it’s because of emotional attachment.

You might think it’s an amazing shot because you know the effort that went into capturing it. Or perhaps when you look at it, you get a twinge of the joy or exhilaration you felt the moment you captured it. There’s also the second-guessing that goes into which of two similar images is the best – which will people like more? So you’re tempted to just show both.

Ultimately, great photographers appear all the more skilled because they only show their best work. That in and of itself is a skill they’ve developed through years of ruthlessly editing their own work.

Because the most powerful photo essays only show a handful of extraordinary images, you’re bound to develop the very same critical skill (and look all the more talented because of it).

Photo essays are also a great stepping stone to creating photo stories. If you’re interested in moving beyond stand-alone shots and building stories, shooting photo essays will get your creative brain limbered up and ready for the adventure of photo stories.

A photo essay exploring the natural history of a favorite species is an exciting opportunity for an in-depth study. For me, that was a photo essay on emotive images of the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) as it hunts in streams. 

9 Simple steps to create your photo essays

1. clarify your theme.

Choose a theme, topic, or concept you want to explore. Spend some time getting crystal clear on what you want to focus on. It helps to write out a few sentences, or even a few paragraphs noting:

• What you want the essay to be about
• What kinds of images you want to create as part of it
• How you’ll photograph the images
• The style, techniques, or gear you might use to create your images
• What “success” looks like when you’re done with your photo essay

You don’t have to stick to what you write down, of course. It can change during the image creation process. But fleshing your idea out on paper goes a long way in clarifying your photo essay theme and how you’ll go about creating it.

2. Create your images

Grab your camera and head outside!

As you’re photographing your essay, allow yourself some freedom to experiment. Try unusual compositions or techniques that are new to you.

Stretch your style a little, or “try on” the style of other photographers you admire who have photographed similar subjects.

Photo essays are wonderful opportunities to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and grow as a photographer.

Remember that a photo essay is a visually cohesive collection of images that make sense together. So, while you might stretch yourself into new terrain as you shoot, try to keep that approach, style, or strategy consistent.

Don’t be afraid to create lots of images. It’s great to have lots to choose from in the editing process, which comes up next.

3. Pull together your wide edit

Once you’ve created your images, pull together all the images that might make the cut. This could be as many as 40-60 images. Include anything you want to consider for the final essay in the wide edit.

From here, start weeding out images that:

• are weaker in composition or subject matter
• stand out like a sore thumb from the rest of the collection
• Are similar to other stronger images in the collection

It's helpful to review the images at thumbnail size. You make more instinctive decisions and can more easily see the body of work as a whole. If an image is strong even at thumbnail size to stand out from similar frames while also partnering well with other images in the collection, that's a good sign it's strong enough for the essay.

4. Post-process your images for a cohesive look

Now it’s time to post-process the images. Use whatever editing software you’re comfortable with to polish your images.

Again, a photo essay has a cohesive visual look. If you use presets, filters, or other tools, use them across all the images.

5. Finalize your selection

It’s time to make the tough decisions. Select only the strongest for your photo essay from your group of images.

Each image should be strong enough to stand on its own and make sense as part of the whole group.

Many photo essays range from 8-12 images. But of course, it varies based on the essay. The number of images you have in your final photo essay is up to you.

Remember, less is more. A photo essay is most powerful when each image deserves to be included.

6. Put your images in a purposeful order

Create a visual flow with your images. Decide which image is first, and build from there. Use compositions, colors, and subject matter to decide which image goes next, then next, then next in the order.

Think of it like music: notes are arranged in a way that builds energy, or slows it down, surprise listeners with a new refrain, or drop into a familiar chorus. How the notes are ordered creates emotional arcs for listeners.

How you order your images is similar.

Think of the experience a viewer will have as they look at one image, then the next, and the next. Order your images so they create the experience you want your audience to have.

7. Get feedback

The best photographers make space for feedback, even when it’s tough to hear. Your work benefits from not just hearing feedback, but listening to it and applying what you learn from it.

Show your photo essay to people who have different sensibilities or tastes. Friends, family members, fellow photographers – anyone you trust to give you honest feedback.

Watch their reactions and hear what they say about what they’re seeing. Use their feedback to guide you in the next step.

8. Refine, revise, and finalize

Let your photo essay marinate for a little while. Take a day or two away from it. Then use your freshened eyes and the feedback you received from the previous step to refine your essay.

Swap out any selects you might want to change and reorder the images if needed.

9. Add captions

Even if you don’t plan on displaying captions with your images, captioning your images is a great practice to get into. It gives context, story, and important information to each image. And, more than likely, you will want to use these captions at some point when you share your photo essay, which we dive into later in this article.

Add captions to the image files using Lightroom, Bridge, or other software programs.

Create a document, such as a Google or Word doc, with captions for each image.

In your captions, share a bit about the story behind the image, or the creation process. Add whatever makes sense to share that provides a greater understanding of the image and its purpose.

Photo essays allow you to explore deliberate style choices, such as a focus on shapes, patterns, textures, and lines. Since each photo is part of a larger essay, it encourages you to be bold with choices you might not otherwise make. 

5 Examples of amazing nature photo essays

1. “how the water shapes us” from the nature conservancy.

This gorgeous essay, crafted with the work of multiple photographers, explores the people and places within the Mississippi River basin. Through the images, we gain a sense of how the water influences life from the headwater all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Notice how each photographer is tasked with the same theme, yet approaches it with their own distinct style and vision. It is a wonderful example of the sheer level of visual variety you can have while maintaining a consistent style or theme.

View it here

2. “A Cyclist on the English Landscape” from New York Times’ The World Through A Lens series

This photo essay is a series of self-portraits by travel photographer Roff Smith while “stuck” at home during the pandemic. As he peddled the roads making portraits, the project evolved into a “celebration of traveling at home”. It’s a great example of how visually consistent you can be inside a theme while making each image completely unique.

3. “Vermont, Dressed In Snow” from New York Times’ The World Through A Lens series

This essay by aerial photographer Caleb Kenna uses a very common photo essay theme: snow. Because all images are aerial photographs, there’s a consistency to them. Yet, the compositions are utterly unique from one another. It’s a great example of keeping viewers surprised as they move from one image to the next while still maintaining a clear focus on the theme.

4. “Starling-Studded Skies” from bioGraphic Magazine

This beautiful essay is by Kathryn Cooper, a physicist trained in bioinformatics, and a talented photographer. She used a 19th century photographic technique, chronophotography, to create images that give us a look at the art and science of starling murmurations. She states: “I’m interested in the transient moments when chaos briefly changes to order, and thousands of individual bodies appear to move as one.” This essay is a great example of deep exploration of a concept using a specific photographic technique.

View it here   (Note: must be viewed on desktop)

5. “These Scrappy Photos Capture the Action-Packed World Beneath a Bird Feeder” from Audubon Magazine

This photo essay from conservation photographer Carla Rhodes explores the wildlife that takes advantage of the bounty of food waiting under bird feeders . Using remote camera photography , Rhodes gives viewers a unique ground-level perspective and captures moments that make us feel like we’re in conversation with friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. This essay is a great example of how perspective, personality, and chance can all come into play as you explore both an idea and a technique.

25 Ideas for creative photo essays you can make

The possibilities for photo essays are truly endless – from the concepts you explore to the techniques you use and styles you apply.

Choose an idea, hone your unique perspective on it, then start applying the 9 simple steps from above. 

• The life of a plant or animal (your favorite species, a species living in your yard, etc)
• The many shapes of a single species (a tree species, a bird species, etc)
• How a place changes over time
• The various moods of a place
• A conservation issue you care about
• Math in nature
• Urban nature
• Seasonal changes
• Your yard as a space for nature
• Shifting climate and its impacts
• Human impacts on environments
• Elements: Water, wind, fire, earth
• Day in the life (of a person, a place, a stream, a tree…)
• Outdoor recreation (birding, kayaking, hiking, naturalist journaling…)
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Lunar cycles
• Sunlight and shadows
• Your local watershed
• Coexistence

As you zero in on a photo essay theme, consider two things: what most excites you about an idea, and what about it pushes you out of your comfort zone. The heady mix of joy and challenge will ensure you stick with it. 

Your photo essay is ready for the world! Decide how you’d like to make an impact with your work. You might use one or several of the options below.

1. Share it on your website

Create a gallery or a scrollytelling page on your website. This is a great way to drive traffic to your website where people can peruse your photo essay and the rest of the photography you have.

Putting it on your website and optimizing your images for SEO helps you build organic traffic and potentially be discovered by a broader audience, including photo editors.

2. Create a scrollytelling web page

If you enjoy the experience of immersive visual experiences, consider making one using your essay. And no, you don’t have to be a whiz at code to make it happen.

Shorthand helps you build web pages with scrollytelling techniques that make a big impression on viewers. Their free plan allows you to publish 3 essays or stories.

3. Create a Medium post

If you don’t have a website and want to keep things simple, a post on Medium is a great option.

Though it’s known for being a platform for bloggers, it’s also possible to add images to a post for a simple scroll.

And, because readers can discover and share posts, it’s a good place for your photos to get the attention of people who might not otherwise come across it.

4. Share it on Instagram

Instagram has changed a lot over the last couple of years, but it’s still a place for photographers to share their work thoughtfully.

There are at least 3 great ways to share your photo essay on the platform.

– Create a single post for each image. Add a caption. Publish one post per day until the full essay is on your feed. Share each post via Instagram Stories to bring more attention and interaction to your photo essay.

– Create a carousel post. You can add up 10 photos to a carousel post, so you may need to create two of them for your full photo essay. Or you might create a series of carousel posts using 3-4 images in each.

– Create a Reel featuring your images as a video.  The algorithm heavily favors reels, so turning your photo essay into a video experience can get it out to a larger audience.

I ran a “create a reel” challenge in my membership community. One member created a reel with her still images around a serious conservation issue. It gathered a ton of attention and landed her opportunities to share her message through YouTube and podcast interviews and publishing opportunities. Watch it here.

5. Exhibit it locally

Reach out to local galleries, cafes, pubs, or even the public library to see if they’re interested in hanging your photo essay for display. Many local businesses and organizations happily support the work of local artists.

6. Pitch your photo essay to publications

One of the best ways to reach an audience with your work is to get it published. Find publications that are a great fit for the theme and style of your photo essay, then pitch your essay for consideration. You gain a fantastic opportunity to share your work widely and can earn a paycheck at the same time.

Remember that if you want to get your photo essay published, you may want to hold back from sharing it publicly before you pitch it to publications.

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Essay on My Favourite Hobby: Photography

Hobbies play a significant role in our lives, providing us with a sense of joy, relaxation, and personal fulfilment. Among the plethora of hobbies available, photography stands out as my absolute favourite. With a camera in hand, I am able to capture and freeze moments in time, immortalizing memories and expressing my creativity. In this essay, I will delve into the reasons why photography has become my beloved pastime and how it has impacted my life.

Photography serves as an artistic outlet that allows me to express my unique perspective of the world. Through the lens of my camera, I can capture the beauty and intricacies of everyday life, turning mundane scenes into extraordinary compositions. The ability to manipulate light, angles, and subjects empowers me to tell stories and evoke emotions through my photographs. Whether I am photographing nature, people, or urban landscapes, I am constantly challenged to find new and innovative ways to capture the essence of my subjects.

Engaging in photography helps me live in the present moment. When I am behind the camera, I become fully absorbed in my surroundings, paying attention to the details and nuances that would often go unnoticed. This heightened awareness allows me to appreciate the beauty of the world around me, fostering a deep connection with my environment. Photography has taught me to slow down, observe, and appreciate the fleeting moments that make life extraordinary.

One of the most compelling aspects of photography is its ability to freeze a moment in time, preserving memories that would otherwise fade away. Whether it’s capturing special occasions, travel adventures, or candid moments with loved ones, my camera allows me to create a visual diary of my life. Looking back at my photographs, I am transported back to those cherished moments, reliving the emotions and experiences captured in each frame. Photography has become a powerful tool for documenting and sharing my personal journey with others.

Photography is a never-ending learning process. From mastering technical skills to exploring different genres and experimenting with editing techniques, there is always something new to discover. Engaging in photography has expanded my horizons, pushing me to explore different perspectives and develop a discerning eye. Through trial and error, I have learned to embrace both successes and failures, using them as stepping stones towards improvement. The continuous growth and learning opportunities that photography offers keep me motivated and passionate about honing my craft.

Photography has also connected me with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share the same passion. Whether through online platforms or local photography clubs, I have had the opportunity to meet fellow photographers, exchange ideas, and learn from their experiences. This sense of community has not only enriched my knowledge and skills but has also provided a supportive network of individuals who inspire and encourage me to push my boundaries.

Photography has become an integral part of my life, offering me a creative outlet, a way to immerse myself in the present moment, and a means of documenting cherished memories. It has allowed me to develop my artistic skills, learn and grow continuously, and connect with a community of fellow enthusiasts. Through photography, I have discovered a profound appreciation for the world’s beauty, both in the grandest landscapes and the simplest of moments. It has become more than just a hobby; it is a passion that brings me joy and fulfilment, allowing me to capture the world through my own unique lens.

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Photography for the Serious Amateur

How To Create a Memorable Photo Essay

• March 17, 2007
• Photo Project

In this Photo Project, we are going to explore how you can develop “Photo Stories”, or “Photo Essays”. Being able to tell a visual story without too many words is an important part of your capacity as a visual storyteller, and one skill that I had to take time and effort to develop. There are a number of different skills that you can develop and fine tune as you conceptualize, write, and photograph these stories, and learning how to create an engaging Photo Essay is one skill that you will take a lifetime to develop. That’s a guarantee.

As you develop your style, and your voice you will find your own ways to document, interpret and display the topic that you want to speak about, but let’s start with some simple steps that almost anyone will find useful!

Table of Contents

What Are Photo Stories?

Photo Stories or photo essays are a sequence of photographs that tell a story by themselves when placed together. They aim to inform, educate and to invoke emotion and empathy in the viewer. They’re a form of documentary photojournalism, and you’ll see them frequently in magazines along with some text. One of my favourite sources of photo stories is National Geographic magazine. You can usually understand most of what the text is about simply by looking at the accompanying photographs. Of course, the content is gripping too, but for many people it is the photographs that make the magazine what it is.

How Can I Photograph a Photo Story?

Now, down to business. It’s easy to start making photo stories, but as you develop your skill, you’ll find that it can also be challenging. Here are a few guiding steps to help you get started with creating engaging Photo Essays.

Pick a Topic to Document in Your Photo Essay

You would start by choosing a topic, preferably something which is close to your heart and easy to access. Try doing something like “A day in the life of…” series for your family or just a series of photographs of something in your neighbourhood. This will get you in the mood for more challenging series…

You could then move on to more interesting time-based stories, like capturing certain buildings and their interiors over the passage of a day, or a year! The working of a local charity, featuring the key people behind it and the work that they do, the people their work benefits would make an impressive photo story. Here’s a decent attempt at capturing a Russian, Ilya, and the 44 disabled dogs that he cares for. The photo story is in Russian , but it could be in any language and not make much of a difference. The story is still there.

Don’t Feel Intimidated By The Task

Photo stories are most often seen in journalism and reportage of events as in this photo story about Riots in Dublin but there’s no reason why they can’t be used to tell interesting everyday stories too, like this “ Story of a parrot ” by Subhasish or Surreal stories like Xylonets ‘ “ If You Go Out to the Barn Tonight . . . You Better Not Go Alone ” and this one about the “ Modern Family ” by bihua .

Try To Capture Moments and Emotions

Remember that what you are trying to do is to capture the key moments that define what ever it is you are photographing. You can imagine that you’re capturing multiple slices of time that convey the story that you want to tell. Capture different types of images, portraits, action shots, sequences, establishing shots showing locations and environments. Don’t hold back, capture it all.

Among those shots, also try capturing a variety of emotions , good moments, sad moments, interactions between people, interactions between things – objects and places – and also capture some of the surroundings in these shots to convey some of the contextual information that can’t be put into words.

Essential skills that you’ll need will be good composition, a discerning eye for detail that could add meaning to the photograph and good communication skills (if your story is about people). But, worry not if this list sounds daunting, for we are all learning… That’s why I asked you to start with an easy topic, remember?

Creating photo-stories helps you to refine your skill in composition and portraiture, and if you’re doing something outdoors, maybe even your landscape skills. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules as long as you capture the essence of what you are trying to convey.

Get Familiar With Your Equipment

If you are intimately familiar with your equipment, you are free to focus your attention on the world around you, and the scenes that are unfolding around you all the time. That’s not to say that you should not pay attention to the technical aspects of photography… By all means, be aware of your exposure settings, and the aesthetics of the photograph that you’re trying to capture, but also be aware of your surroundings, and observant of what is about to happen next .

Edit Before You Show

In writing, an editor is a person who looks over your work, understands what it is about, and makes or suggests changes to make the piece more cohesive, understandable and polished. They may suggest that you add or remove content of the overall piece to be more understandable. You should do the same with your Photo Essay.

Once you have your photographs ready, look at them objectively and try to remove all the fluff . This is difficult as it requires you to put aside your own attachment to the images that you have just now captured so lovingly. However, removing extra images from the ones that you will eventually display makes the overall story more understandable, easier to take in, and quicker to get your message across.

If you feel that you have missed out an important part of the overall message, you may want to go back and take a few more photographs to complete your story.

Presenting Your Photo Story

The ideal old-world finish to the photo-story is to print your pictures out and paste them in a photo-book with larger pictures wherever you want to emphasise the photograph and to show some extra detail in it. You could also put together a multimedia presentation like this one made by the baltimore sun . These days, its not all that difficult to do. Otherwise you can just put them together in a folder on your computer and number them 001, 002, and so on so that they are displayed in order when seen with a slide show software. [TIP:] The two zeros in front of numerals zero to nine ensure that they are not displayed just before ten and twenty.

Remember that your work needs a title and a short introduction to set the stage. After that, let the images speak for themselves.

Each time you create a photo essay, you will learn more, and it will be come an easier process as you become more adept at knowing what you’re trying to achieve with each photograph. But each step forward will most likely also show you a few more steps down your journey. There is so much to learn on the way to your destination.

Share Your Work With Us

We’d love to see your work! Feel free to tag us on Instagram , and use the hashtag #BPTprojects . I encourage other members of the BPT community to offer their thoughts in a constructive manner so that we can all grow together. Remember to be kind, and generous with your critique.

You can also leave a link to your photo-essay in the comments down below.

Challenge Yourself with More Photo Projects

If you’re interested in more photo projects, check out the other Photo Projects that we already have, ready for you at the Photo Project page . Get into the game and continue to develop your eye, with more projects like this.

Thank you for reading this, and we hope that you have a great deal of fun working on your first photo-essay.

Help Us To Continue Creating

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The easiest way to support Beyond Photo Tips is by using our affiliate links when you buy anything at all. It will never cost you anything extra, and we get a small commission from it, which helps us a LOT! We share our recommended equipment list here .

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You could also show your appreciation by buying us a coffee . Finally, we appreciate you being a part of the community, so do say hi!

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• Susheel Chandradhas

Susheel Chandradhas is a Product Photographer and Filmmaker based in India. He has been taking photographs (almost) all his life. He has a diploma and a bachelors degree in Visual Communication, where his classmates all believed that he would write a book on photography... Instead, he writes on this website (because - isn't a community more fun?).

His passions include photography, parkour, wide-angle lenses, blue skies, fire extinguishers, and fast computers.

In addition to writing for Beyond Photo Tips, Susheel is a staff writer for Fstoppers.com , and owns and runs ColoursAlive, a photography, and video production studio.

You can connect with Susheel on Twitter , Instagram , or LinkedIn .

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Hey, thanks for this brilliant idea! I’ve started Bullet Journalling and photo stories will be the perfect way to supplement what I write. I’ll report back when I’m done! 😀

I’m sure everyone here would love to see some of your photo stories, if they aren’t too personal, of course. We have a group on Flickr, so if you’re up for it you can upload to Flickr, and share your stories in the group. https://www.flickr.com/groups/beyondphototips/

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Published: March 17, 2007 | Last Updated: June 9, 2023

IELTS Cue Card

A website dedicated to IELTS Cue Card Samples, Speaking Samples, and Speaking Preparation Guideline...

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Describe one of your favourite photographs.

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card   487   with Model Answer:

Describe one of your favourite photographs.

• when the photograph was taken
• what it depicts
• what memory this photograph holds

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My Favorite Photo: 8 Photographers Share Theirs

By Madeline - 5 min read

What are the photos that you love the most – and why?

Every photographer has a favorite photo that they’ve taken. And it often isn’t the one that got the most likes or was picked for an image collection! It may be the one you went to great lengths to take, the one you’re hugely proud of or the one with the story behind it.

That’s why we asked you to scroll back through your EyeEm profile for our My Favorite Photo Mission with The Phoblographer ! Not only did we want you to enter the photo that brings the good memories flooding back, but we wanted the story behind it – the reason you love it so much.

Congratulations to Luis whose dreamy shot below was picked as the winner. He will soon be interviewed by The Phoblographer – so keep your eyes peeled!

Guadalquivir River, Seville, Spain: By

Luis: “I chose this photo because I like the atmosphere – the pale green color, and the contrast between the two athletes and the Guadalquivir river in Seville, Spain. Canoeing is a fascinating sport in which the entire body gets an intense and complete work. Feeling the canoe glide smooth and fast on the water’s surface, the feeling of freedom when navigating in nature… Nobody bothers you when you’re paddling.”

yentil: “This is a photo of my dear sister. We were shooting for her CD cover (she’s a singer songwriter) and this photo was actually an accident. We were taking serious photos but out of the blue she started to laugh. I like that her laugh is so real. In my opinion, that is the most beautiful thing there is.”

Calli: “This photo is different to many of the others that I have taken – and different to many of the ones you find on various social media platforms. I decided to mess around with lights one day. When going through and editing I accidentally clicked a button which caused the photo to turn out the way it did.”

Beaumaris Bay, Melbourne, Australia: By

Jamie: “This was a fun night out with my friends. We were trying to write our names in long exposure. We failed – it didn’t turn out the way that we wanted. So we decided to do some crazy random drawing with sparks. When I saw the picture I thought, wow, this is new and different. We need to let go of our plans sometime. You never know what is going to turn up – there is always something exciting waiting for you!”

zoe: “In fact, this is a failure. I intended to do a double color chiffon roll, then the roll failed. I had a new idea, I cut the cake into cubes, added cream and lemon peel. It looks like perfect baking work! Sometimes failure is not really failure. By the way, it is very delicious!”

Goa, India: By

Mayank Gautam

Mayank: “Street photography should mostly be discreet but I only have a big DSLR with a zoom lens. This gentleman was aware that I was clicking inside the bus and he doesn’t look very pleased about it. And so began a game of catching and deceiving – I would pretend to click something else and then click him. It is one of those incidents when I overcame my fear of street photography and went ahead for the picture.”

Pang Shengyong

Pang: “I like the composition of this picture. A few of the steel pipes split the space into several different parts so it looks rhythmic. Workers was building a simple roof on my relatives’ house. I waited for the moment that he looked at me and pressed the shutter. I like street photography but I don’t always take my DSLR. A lot of pictures are taken with my mobile phone.”

Walter Kuechel

Walter: “I took this photograph on a night I went out with some friends to take urban photography. This was the first place we visited and in the editing I tried to make it surreal. I picked it because it’s a new perspective of Mexico. I call it post-urbanism and it’s an ongoing project of mine.”

Thanks for sharing guys! And congratulations to all of the winners and runners-up in this Mission. Check out all the entrants in the My Favorite Photo album.

About The Phoblographer: The Phoblographer is a thought provoking photography blog that examines the psychology behind photographers and their work. The site also features real world reviews, news, tips, tutorials and essays on the art form.

Interested in partnering with EyeEm on a Mission? Join some of the world’s biggest media outlets and best-known brands and be at the center of the conversation. Find out more.

Header image by @yentlslik .

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What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?

It’s time for another edition of our monthly series “Ask a Click Pro” here on the CM photography blog in which we give our Click Pros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them…

What is your favorite image that you’ve ever taken and what is it that you love so dearly about that image?

Kate Parker , Georgia I have this image in a huge frame in our entryway. I love it that much.  I love the clouds, I love remembering that we got McDonald’s take out after this hike, I love that they are all doing their own things in the shot, not looking, not really caring that I am down below. But mostly, I love my three girls all together, my 6 year old, my 3 year old and my 13 year old golden (my first baby).

Tami Wilson , Colorado This image I took of my son last fall is my favorite image to date. He is 7 years old and at the time he said he wanted to be a jet pilot when he grew up. When I look at this picture it reminds me of his dreams, his energy and adorable outgoing personality.

Erin Bell, Connecticut My favorite image changes a lot- but if I had to choose an overall image over the last few years that represents my artistry, life’s happiness, and childhood (everything I love in an image), I think I would choose this:

Juli Evans , Texas I just love this image of my 3 year old daughter! I love the soft colors, her messy little pony tail, her soft velvety skin, and, most of all, the quiet, serious expression on her face. She can be such a silly little girl, but she has this gentle, intuitive side to her that I just love. And, I love her little “angel kiss” between her eyes. I just don’t want to forget any of it…

Stacie Turner, Connecticut This remains the best image I’ve taken. I love that it plays with the conventions of child portraiture by taking a little girl in a tutu and making it something uncomfortable and troubling. She’s fierce and determined and looms over us rather than being a sweet thing looking up at us. I’ve had this image accepted to a number of juried shows and Ellen Burnstine called it “iconic”. I took it using a holga 120N with Kodak tri-x 320 during the golden hour at Westmoor Park.

Carol Swaitkewich, Winnipeg This is a picture that I took in 2008 of my youngest Ivy.  I had been shooting for clients for a year and was feeling the need to break out of what I was doing everyday, of what I considered my style.  This shoot was totally for me.  I brought along a few outfits, some hats, a chair and we played. She danced, sang and chatted my ear off. She was-and still is- a bundle of energy that rarely stops talking. What I love so much about this image was, besides the eyelashes, light, warmth and bokeh (which I adore) but the moment of quiet I captured amidst the non stop talk that was my 4 year old.  I love how it brings me back to that day and how much fun we had.  I have a hard time printing my images as I don’t have much wall space in our home and my favorite image changes so frequently but this one is printed to 24×36 and hanging in my stairwell so I can see it everyday.

Christina McGuire , Michigan I could probably come up with a new fave every couple months but this is a recent one. I have become more diligent in my shooting over the last few months, paying closer attention to light, composition etc. This, on the other hand, was not a planned shot, and it was the first time I’d ever played around with a speedlight (I had no idea what I was doing!) but I love love love the moment and emotion captured between my husband and daughter. “Rules” aside, every once in awhile there is still some lucky shot that reminds me why I first fell in love with photography. When I took Sarah’s Comp & Creativity workshop, she asked us to come up with 3 words we’d like others to use when describing our work. Mine are genuine, heartfelt, and timeless. I’d like to think this photo embodies all three.

Jessica Holden , California I took this one when Emily was barely a year old, so it was a VERY long time ago. We were playing at the beach with her cousin and my sister (the babies were born just 13 days apart!), and Emily JUST discovered that salt water is, well, SALTY. She’d expected the water splashing onto her face would taste like regular water, and so it completely surprised her and made her giggle hysterically! I just adore her grin and her little scrunched face and the dimples in her baby hand, and her barely-there wispy hair… I wish this time in her life could have lasted for just a little bit longer!

Ilona Hastings, Florida My favorite picture is one of my clients. It shows mom with her two adorable daughters playing on the grass in the park.The image shows them having fun together. The laugh is real. The picture represents true connection between them. It was captured between some family posing shots. Hope you will like it as much as I do.

Tracy Bradbury, England Mine is this one of my daughter, taken during 301 C&C. It was the first time I had attempted low light photography and it made me realise not only how much I loved it but also opened a whole new world for me to explore further.

Ann Westerman, Texas This is a recent image I took of my oldest son and I LOVE it. I love to photograph his gorgeous eyelashes because I just think they are beautiful and this is the first image I have ever taken where his freckles are also really highlighted. I also love his freckles but often in images they don’t really show and in this image they are really showcased also. I exposed for the left side of his face and the under exposure of the right side of his face really bought out the freckles. I was playing with side window light when I took this image trying to creatively use light.

Shalonda , Texas I took this shot of the cheeks girls last April. It was a month into our “everyday” photography project, which makes it a favorite in itself because I realized while I was burned out with photography getting honest everyday images of OUR lives was the heart of why I ever picked up a camera in the first place. I had spent so much time capturing moments for total strangers and totally taking my own moments for granted UNTIL THIS VERY MOMENT! I love this shot for so many reasons, one kid had pink eye, one had a broken tiara, it was Tuesday, which is grocery day, so they were allowed to dress themselves and we were in the toilet paper aisle for goodness sakes (natural reflector). But it will always be one of my faves because, it’s real life, it’s really MY life and now I wont ever forget it.

Deb Schwedhelm , Florida This is a tough question. I have lots of images that I love from over the years, that I’m connected to for some reason or another, but I would have to say that this one is my current favorite and will most likely always rank up there as one of my all-time favorites. A simple moment of a child having fun on the beach — a moment of light, childhood, joy, peace, freedom and serendipity.

Lora Swinson , Oklahoma This is so hard! So I’ll pick my favorite from last night’s session with my 2 boys. I needed badly to take them out and get updated photos and this field by my husband’s office was beautiful! I love this image because it shows my 5 year old, Cooper, perfectly. His cape (which I made for him when he was 2), his puppy — Ruffie — who he has been attached to for a few years, and the movement of his cape in the wind…it just screams childhood to me and I want him to stay this little forever. I know he won’t, so this will be up on the wall to remind me.

Megan Axelsson , Kansas This was difficult. It was actually a toss up between two from this day. I loved them both but this one is it for me. The look of serenity on my oldest’s face. Her security in knowing she can lean on her sister. Those two are in sync every step of the way, even their arms are making the same fluid movement. There may be 3 years between them but they’re cut form the same cloth. Same souls. This reminds me why I do what I do. When they’re old they will have these to look back upon. Their children will be able to see their parents as the great lovely little ladies they are.

Monica Wilkinson, Washington I think it is always so hard to choose a favorite. My interests and favorites change all of the time. I do however, always go back to this shot of my daughter and our neighbor. It just reminds me how pure and innocent girls are at that young age. This was taken in my garage one summer day. They had been playing outside and I asked them to come in for a quick shot! Summer is always a great time for them as they love to play from morning to dark.

Andrea Joki, Finland This image, to me, has always greatly represented who I am as a photographer – in particular my style and especially my art. I’m not looking for a cheery reality; rather, I am drawn to a surreal tableaux seeped in facets of peacefulness, pensiveness, and calm. The stories I want to tell are always about what wasn’t said or done rather than the fait accompli.

Lila Armock, Michigan I was photographing a client with her new baby boy, and he was just inconsolable almost the entire time. The only time he wasn’t crying was when he was all wrapped up close to his mama. I put her down on the floor, in the corner, and she spoke softly to him, and he was calm. It was such a serene moment.

Jodi Arego, Texas I took this image of my youngest on a morning that I remember being acutely aware of how quickly she was transitioning from a toddler to a little girl. We all know how quickly the days go from one to another, and because she’s my “baby”, I am extra, extra sensitive about taking notice of the tiniest of details before she moves on to another phase. Her chubby hands, the way she grasps her dollie, and the rings in her pig tails… I want to remember it all. She will always be my baby and this image takes me straight back to that tender time.

Ariana Falerni , New York Picking your favorite one of everything is a Libra’s worst nightmare! But this was a fun assignment because it allowed me to go back through some older files I hadn’t looked at in a while. Certainly not the best technical image, but this one struck me for the pure expression of love between my husband and my son. I know that there will never be a doubt in my son’s mind that he is loved to the ends of the earth and back when he looks at this someday!

Krista Campbell, Arkansas This is my favorite image that I have taken. It was captured on September 11th of this past year. I was feeling very melancholy and so sad for those who lost their lives on that fateful day- and my heart was hurting for those families who were left behind. I took my daughter out just as the sun was setting to capture her running in a field holding our American flag. I wanted to capture something that symbolized hope for the future and also honor those who had fallen that day with a sweet remembrance.

Melissa Koehler, California I love this one of my son Aiden because it shows his personality. “Go get ’em” Plus I love the scenery as well. I will always love this photo of him and treasure it forever.

Melissa Gibson, Georgia This one is my favorite because this was the first session with my girls where I decided to shoot what I love. Since that day, I’ve put everyone else aside. I stepped out and said, “I shoot for myself. I shoot what I love. I shoot what I see and feel.” I also stopped taking clients and saying that out loud was so freeing for me. I see this image and it reminds me of that. Also, I adore the way my Caroline is holding her “Baby”. How she, just like me, is growing and changing; yet, still trying to hold on to what she loves best. I think of how she grabs hold of me and says, “I am trying not to grow, Mommy, but I just can’t stop.” And then kisses me gently on the cheek. That is the way I felt for so long. I didn’t WANT to grow and I tried not to. I wanted to stay the same and shoot the same. Shoot for everyone else. Shoot what they loved so that they would love me. Looking at this image reminds me that growing and changing is good. That shooting what I adore is amazing and uplifting and perfectly free.

Sarah Wilkerson , Colorado I think I have to go with this one. It’s called “Holding On,” and it was made in a moment early in my husband’s deployment when I was feeling really vulnerable and overwhelmed with emotion – I shot this because I didn’t want to talk about it but needed to acknowledge it. We hold on to each other and on to hope, and that’s what is going to get us through the year – it’s a lot of wishing and waiting. The image encapsulates the various reasons that I shoot – to document life, to engage in both introspection and expression, and simply to create art. It’s very personal to me, but there’s an anonymity about the image that is meant to capture the love, loneliness, anxiety, and expectation of the military wife universally. This is not my best image, but it might be the most honest image I’ve ever taken, and – at least right now – it is my favorite:

Candace Wilson , Tennessee While this is merely a snapshot, my favorite photograph right now is this of my two babies. My son doesn’t have the greatest social skills since he is autistic but looking at this photo and seeing him be so close to his sister means the world to me. So I call this “Always Together”, because this is how they are all the time… even while they are fighting over toys!

Kristin Ingalls, Washington This in an older image, but I find that having some time pass after I take the image helps me to appreciate it more instead of picking apart all of it’s faults. I’ve grown a lot in my photography since this one was taken, but this still is one of my favorites because it is all three of my kids completely absorbed in childhood. This is how I want to remember them when they are grown.

Lisa Harrison, Vermont I have so many images that I cherish! I keep going back to this one of my daughter though. Something about innocence and maturity all rolled into one here. I just love her eyes and her braids.

Stacey Haslem , California It makes me smile! This is my youngest, only girl and my middle son. He watches over her like any big brother and she adores him. This image appeals to me because I was caught up in a moment. I didn’t wash the dirt off the door, fix my daughter’s hair, or get the lines perfectly straight. What I did was pick up the camera and capture their love. It speaks to me as both a mother and photographer.

Sarah Cornish, Colorado Oh this is tough!! I have to say this would be my favorite. It is just the people I hold closest in my heart being completely themselves. Wes is going to rescue our two year old from the rock, he is the protector and a bit over protective but I love that about him and my other three children were all playing sweetly together which is I admit rare because as siblings do they fight… a lot but they love each other fiercely and that really shines in this image!

Megan Moore , Massachusetts This was really hard, and in the end, I think I kind of copped out.  I do love this image – so much – but I don’t know that it’s my all-time favorite. That’s impossible for me to know, my tastes change so much.  This was taken almost 2 years ago, of my now 3 year old daughter Lila. What I love most about this image is the juxtaposition of little 1 year old Lila looking outside a large picture window at the huge trees (symbolically, looking out on the world, I suppose). I love the texture of the shingles, the smooth blur of the trees, and the centered and symmetrical composition. And I also love how Lila’s looking up towards the treetops & sky – I’ve always wondered what was going on in her mind.

April Nienhuis , Oklahoma I’m very thankful to have three children who love having their picture taken so when I sit one of them down to test something out it’s inevitable that they all end up in front of the camera.  That’s exactly what happened on this day.  I had no intention of getting a portrait of all of them together but I am so happy that I did.  It’s perfectly imperfect with Zoey running to sit on my lap and see the pictures, Layla with her long messy hair hanging in her face, and Finn being silly.  I have a million pictures of the three of them goofing off in front of the camera together but I think this one is my favorite.

Elle Walker, Australia Even though there are things about this image that I would change if I could shoot it again, it will always remain one of my favourites. This was one of the first ‘real’ moments I captured, and helped me to fall in love with more lifestyle/documentary photography. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of my boys sweet nature, and my little girls trust in her big brother.

Megan Cieloha , California This image is almost a year old, but it represents the beginning of my fervent love of light. I was putting my 3 year old down for a nap while visiting my parent’s home. As I was getting ready to kiss him goodnight I noticed the light peeking out from underneath the curtain right above his head. I rushed out of the room to grab my camera, telling him “stay there, don’t move” over my shoulder. He cooperated so perfectly with my request to pretend to sleep… every time I look at this image I feel that thrill of “seeing” the light and then capturing the image I had envisioned.

Anne Wick, France This is a photo of my son that I took yesterday, and it is my current favorite. Since last summer I only get to see him every 6 weeks, and this separation has been, and still is, very difficult for me. This photo is very comforting for me because he looks happy and confident. And that is all I want for him. This photo made me understand that being away from me is helping him spread his wings. He is growing. He is changing. And I am very proud of the young man he is becoming. “{…}Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.{…} -Khalil Gibran

Christie Nelson, Australia This is a photo of my little girl in the car — a part of my 365 project. Why does it mean a lot to me? Well, I have tried so hard through my 365 project to capture our everyday experiences in creative and interesting ways. This photo is so ‘everyday’ – it’s just her in the car, looking happy, with a big ol’ bruise smack on the middle of her forehead, haha. I’m sure this ‘normality’ is what I am going to want to remember when she’s grown up. But I also challenged myself to make this image different than a typical car photo – so I climbed up onto the hood of the car and shot it through the sunroof. Silly, I know – the neighbors must have thought I was insane – but I was proud of myself. I ended up with something unique and a composition I was pleased with too. I think back to this image a lot as I’m shooting to try and push my creativity and inspiration.

Jennifer Dell, Texas This is a photo of my daughter when we took our first trip to the beach for this year. We went last year for a short trip and she’s been asking to back ever since. She talked about all the fun she was going to have that weekend on the drive down. When we finally arrived we made a quick stop at the beach before going on to the beach house to let the kids run around after being cooped up in the car on the ride down. She was so happy and in totally in her element dancing and running in the waves and chasing seagulls. It was such a gorgeous evening with the sunset and the beach was pretty much empty so we had it to ourselves. I love her joyful expression and how her foot is just about to connect with her reflection. It also represents what I love about photography the most, being able to stop a moment in it’s tracks.

Carrie Anne Miranda , California I just took this photo the other day, but the fact that is pulls SO much emotion from me makes it an immediate favorite. My biggest baby just turned six, and it’s so bittersweet. She is a very bright girl, she’s beautiful and she is very active in cheer/tumbling. I imagine all of these big things for her in future and I am excited for that, but I also want her to stay innocent and small. I see all of those feelings in this picture and it’s almost overwhelming for me. I love it though. It’s exactly why photography means so much more to me than just a job or a hobby. It’s my way of preserving the moments I just can’t give away to time.

Lisa Tichane , France This is my siggy picture on CM, and still my favorite image of my boys.  It represents a lot of who they are and how I want to remember them: carefree and full of energy. But it also represents who I am as a photographer, and what I thrive to capture.  One more reason why I love this image is that it was taken during a meet-up with another CM Pro, Anne Scherrer. So this picture reminds me of the fantastic friendships I was able to make thanks to this amazing community.

Leah Cook , Texas I’m not quite sure why, but I keep going back to this one of Tyler. I’m such a lover of the outdoors, sunshine, backlight, and sparkly bokeh…but this year I’ve pushed myself to take indoor pictures of my family with interesting light (many thanks to CM!).  This speaks to me because of his sweet baby stage and the way he is highlighted in the frame. Ty was supposed to be napping, but it never happened. I remember going into his room and sharing time with him while his big brother slept. I just watched him play and climb…he was perfectly happy and showing off for me. It’s a memory I love…and one that makes me giggle and cry at the same time.

Rachael Ruffin, Missouri Oh, this was hard.  I can’t pick a client image because my fave changes so much so I picked one of my kids because I have always loved this picture, even over a year later.  I love this image because it shows something my kids love to do in day to day life. play and be silly!

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15 thoughts on “What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?”

Wow! These are all amazing. Quite inspiring. Krista Campbell's image gave me the chills!

Thank you so much Tavia. <3 I love looking at all of these images!!!

So many beautiful images and such wonderful stories to go along with each of them. Thank you all for sharing!

Wow, what an amazing and inspiring collection!!!

Such beautiful photos! I love seeing the different points of view. Thank you all for sharing!

I have so many favorites if my own children it was impossible to choose! This image was taken during a family photo shoot for a client – it was so much fun. Great family, beautiful surrounding & of course the horse. They wanted the family horse in thr photo & when I said "smile" the horse DID! This photo makes me happy!

What a cool shot!

Amazing post – these images are so inspiring and it was so lovely to spend time, looking over them and reading the background about them. Thank you for putting this together + sharing these amazing images!

Loved looking at all of these. l have so many favourites in this collection.

So many of these pictures (and words) brought tears into my eyes. These are just all so beautiful, taken by so many beautiful women <3

These are just incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

what a great collection of images here… so real & brilliant

Thank you so much for opening up you photography hearts to us! I really loved that these were all beautiful moments for you!

Tourism is one of the main pillars of the economy of Mauritius. The bulk of visitors come from South Africa, Germany, France, Australia and UK. Hotels in Mauritius are plenty, and they range from 5-star luxury to those with just basic amenities.

All of them are so cute. Much inspiration!

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• Grammar and vocabulary
• Grammar chants

My favourite photo

Who's in this boy's photo? Listen to the grammar chant and find out! Can you hear the prepositions of place in the chant?

• Do the preparation activity to help you with words from the chant.
• Listen to the chant then play the games to check your understanding.
• Print the worksheets for more practice.
• Read our discussion question and leave a comment!

Preparation

If I'm not feeling happy

My favourite photograph

Of me and all my friends

Will always make me laugh.

Janet's in the bin

Jeff's under the bed

Laila's next to him

With an apple on her head.

Jo's in front of Jack

And Nadima's behind him

Nico's in the photo too

But nobody can find him.

I'm on the table

Tim is in a chair

And sitting in between us

Is a cat with purple hair.

Find a photo or imagine a picture of you and your friends. Tell us about it!

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Film Photo Essays

Getting some sea air in weston-super-mare [kodak ultramax 400].

Images shot on Kodak Ultramax 400 in the Lomo LC-A Another blog post, another film photography essay here on My Favourite Lens, and it’s another stroll around a British seaside town. I’ve published a few of these already, which you can find under this tag here, and I have more … Read more

Shooting Black and White Film at the London Barbican [Fomapan Action 400]

Images shot on Fomapan Action 400 in the Rollei 35 Ooh, the London Barbican. Nobody’s ever shot some rolls of film around there, have they? Yes, I know. There’s nothing new under the sun, though. If I’m in San Francisco I’m not going to not take some photographs of that bridge they … Read more

Walking Around Wollaton Park With the Lomo LC-A [Lomography Color Negative 400]

Images shot on Lomography Color Negative 400 in the Lomo LC-A In a previous blog post on this site, I talked about the first roll of film I put through my original Soviet Lomo LC-A. It was some Ilford HP5 Plus that I shot around the streets of Nottingham. When … Read more

A Black and White Ramble in Mansfield [Ilford FP4 Plus 125]

Images shot on Ilford FP4 Plus 125 in the Lomo LC-A The sun was out and I wanted to shoot some film. I didn’t really care what film, or with which camera, or even where to shoot it. All I knew was I didn’t want to waste the good light … Read more

A Few on Film From the Nottingham Christmas Market [AgfaPhoto APX 400]

Images shot on AgfaPhoto APX 400 in the Rollei 35 We’ve got a few things to cover in this blog post, which is based around some shots from the Nottingham Christmas market and is being written as a stream of consciousness rather than being anything with much pre-planning behind it. The APX … Read more

Returning to Mansfield With the Pentax Auto 110 [Lomography Orca 100]

Images shot on Lomography Orca 100 in the Pentax Auto 110 When I lived in Shanghai, one of the biggest cities on the planet, I was never short of new and interesting places to go and shoot some photographs at. I don’t just mean the famous spots either, like Jing’an … Read more

Do Your Photography and Let the World Argue and Discuss Itself to Death [Oriental Seagull 400]

Images shot on Oriental Seagull 400 in the Lomo LC-A This post is going to feature a bunch of shots from Scarborough beach, shot on Oriental Seagull 400 film in the Lomo LC-A. Which is apt, considering the subjects in that image above. But it isn’t going to be about … Read more

Colour Nottingham Street Photography With the Lomo LC-A [Fujicolor C200]

Images shot on Fujicolor C200 in the Lomo LC-A The first roll of film I ever put through the wonderful Lomo LC-A was some Ilford HP5 Plus which, as you may well know, is a black and white one. I used it to shoot some street shots around Nottingham, which was good … Read more

Monochrome Fun In Great Yarmouth With the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim [Ilford HP5 Plus 400]

Images shot on Ilford HP5 Plus 400 in the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim The Reto Ultra Wide & Slim is not a technically advanced camera, to say the least. But it is a very fun one to shoot. The first film I put through mine was some Kentmere Pan 100, which I … Read more

Shooting Birnbeck Pier on Monochrome Film [Ilford XP2 Super 400]

Images shot on Ilford XP2 Super 400 in the Lomo LC-A Since returning to the UK from my time living in Shanghai, I’ve found myself attracted more to the British seaside towns than I have the inland cities when it comes to going somewhere to shoot some film and write blog posts … Read more

Monochrome Nottingham Street Photography With the Lomo LC-A [Ilford HP5 Plus 400]

Images shot on Ilford HP5 Plus 400 in the Lomo LC-A When I lived in Shanghai, wandering around with my Yashica Electro and shooting in the streets was my number one creative pastime. For some reason though, when I came back to England I didn’t feel so keen to walk … Read more

Finishing a Roll of Film in the Streets of Mansfield [Kentmere Pan 100]

Images shot on Kentmere Pan 100 in Pentax MX with SMC Pentax-M 50mm f2 If you’ve already read my Kentmere Pan 100 film review and are particularly eagle-eyed, you may recognise that scaffolding in the shot above. If not, maybe just have a quick look now. Now that we’ve got that out … Read more

Shooting Some Colour Film in the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim [Kodak Gold 200]

Images shot on Kodak Gold 200 in the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim Before I write a review of any camera on this website, I like to put at least one roll of colour and one roll of black and white film through it. Just to see how both turn … Read more

Putting My First Roll Through the Pentax MX at Holme Pierrepont [Kentmere Pan 100]

Images shot on Kentmere Pan 100 in Pentax MX with SMC Pentax-M 28mm f2.8 Although SLRs like the Pentax K1000 and Canon AE-1 are often touted as good for beginners, I’d been shooting film for quite a while before I got myself a single lens reflex camera. For years, I didn’t really … Read more

Shooting the Sprocket Rocket in Great Yarmouth [Lomography Color Negative 400]

Images shot on Lomography Color Negative 400 in Lomography Sprocket Rocket Love them or hate them, or just feel a general indifference and get on with your life like a normal person, there’s no doubt that Lomography come up with some pretty special cameras. Not the kind that are going … Read more

Testing the Pentax Auto 110 in Sunny Mansfield [Lomography Color Tiger 200]

Images shot on Lomography Color Tiger 200 in Pentax Auto 110 Let’s not beat around the bush here. 110 format film doesn’t have the best reputation for image quality. The negatives are only about half the size of 35mm ones, typically meaning less detail and sharpness and all those good … Read more

Let Me Tell You About Mansfield – The First Roll From the Pentax K1000 [Street Candy ATM 400]

Images shot on Street Candy ATM 400 in Pentax K1000 with SMC Pentax-M 28mm f2.8 A bottle shop on one side of the road and a betting shop on the other. It’d be easy to take a bunch of photos like this, intersperse them with ones of closed down places, say … Read more

A Short Walk Along the Beach at Colwyn Bay [Kodak Ultramax 400]

Images shot on Kodak Ultramax 400 in Lomography LC-Wide I took a trip to North Wales to spend time with an old friend I’d met years ago. Quite a few years ago now actually, back when we were young men. It was quite a few miles away too, in a cafe way … Read more

Testing the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim at Southwell Minster [Kentmere Pan 100]

Images shot on Kentmere Pan 100 in Reto Ultra Wide & Slim In January of 2022, it was announced a new camera was about to hit the market. Kind of, anyway. Because while the Reto Ultra Wide & Slim is indeed a freshly made plastic box that you put film in, it’s … Read more

Some Football Film Photography from Field Mill [Kodak Portra 800]

Images shot on Kodak Portra 800 in Lomography LC-Wide In August of 2021, Mansfield Town played Bristol Rovers in a match in the 4th tier of the English Football League. It took place at Field Mill – Mansfield’s stadium – and saw the hosts win 2-1 through a very, very late penalty. … Read more

Shooting Roche Abbey on Monochrome Film [Ilford Delta 100]

Images shot on Ilford Delta 100 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN Roche Abbey is one of many ruined medieval abbeys scattered around the lands of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Formerly thriving centres of work, prayer and study, they were consigned to their current states of dilapidation during Henry VIII’s 1536 – 1541 … Read more

Llanfairpwll…gogogoch – A Short Post on the World’s Longest Train Station Name [Kodak Ultramax 400]

Images shot on Kodak Ultramax 400 in Lomography LC-Wide Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, then. I suppose if you’re going to base a little photo essay on a single train station, the one with the longest name in the world is as good a choice as any. Not that I make a habit of visiting train … Read more

A Quick Roll Around Mablethorpe [Street Candy ATM 400]

Images shot on Street Candy ATM 400 in Lomography LC-Wide I remember when I was a kid, one of my favourite days out was the annual Saturday trip we’d take to Mablethorpe, out on the east coast of England. It’d be a family thing, going with my brother and our … Read more

Some Soft Swan Shots From Clumber Park [Lomography Orca 100]

Images shot on Lomography Orca 100 in Lomography Diana Baby 110 After shooting a roll of Lomography Color Tiger 200 in an old hand-me-down Kodak Ektra camera at a temple in Shanghai, I must have got a bit of a taste for the much-maligned 110 format. I say this because, … Read more

A Bad Start and the First Shots I Got From the Lomo LC-Wide [Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400]

Images shot on Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400 in Lomography LC-Wide One weekend evening when I was sitting in front of my computer and had drunk a few light ales, I decided it’d be a good idea to buy a Lomography LC-Wide camera. I think I’d gotten a little bored of … Read more

The Last Poppies of Blidworth Meadows [Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400]

Images shot on Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400 in Lomography LC-Wide When I was living in Shanghai, going out with my camera and finding something to shoot was easy. It wasn’t necessary to have anything particular in mind. You could just wander around and come back with a perfectly publishable set … Read more

Shooting 110 Film at Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple [Lomography Color Tiger 200]

Images shot on Lomography Color Tiger 200 in Kodak Ektra 250 Looking at all the film photo essays I’ve written up to now, as well as the film reviews too, it’s clear that 35mm has been my main format of choice so far. There was a quick dabble with 120 … Read more

Photograph What You Can, While You Can [Fujicolor Industrial 400]

Images shot on Fujicolor Industrial 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN Nothing ever lasts forever, as Echo and The Bunnymen sang back in 1997. Which is an unbelievable 24 years ago as I write this. It’s a timeless sentiment though, as Fuji continue to demonstrate with every film stock they discontinue. Like … Read more

A Little Taste of London Underground Film Photography [Kodak Tri-X 400]

Images shot on Kodak Tri-X 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN One of the previous film photo essays I published here on My Favourite Lens was called Nothing New Under the Sun. It talked about how a lot of photographs taken on CineStill 800T share common subjects. That post probably … Read more

Some City of London Film Photography [Kodak Tri-X 400]

Images shot on Kodak Tri-X 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few short breaks in London in recent years. Just two or three days at a time, and usually because I’m in town anyway having just arrived from Shanghai or before flying … Read more

Multi-Project Shooting With a Lesser-Known Kodak Film [Kodak Pro Image 100]

Images shot on Kodak Pro Image 100 in Canon Sure Shot AF-7 When my time living in Shanghai was coming to an end, I thought it would be a good idea to get a couple of city-wide photography projects done while I still had the chance. One of these ended … Read more

The Double Shanghai Film Photography Project [Shanghai GP3 100]

Images shot on Shanghai GP3 100 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I’m not going to do the actual maths here, but I’d say over 99% of my Shanghai film photography while I lived there was done on 35mm. The only exceptions were some 120 I put through a borrowed Holga, a … Read more

The Sequel to the First Roll in the Yashica Electro 35 GSN [Fujicolor Industrial 100]

Images shot on Fujicolor Industrial 100 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I try to mix things up with the film photo essays I write on here. Some, like this one from Yangshuo, are travelogues. Others, like this one about shooting in low light, are more about the film and the process of … Read more

Finite and Infinite Games and Your Photography Creation [Rollei Retro 400S]

Images shot on Rollei Retro 400S in Canon Sure Shot AF-7 In 1986, a man named James P. Carse released his book Finite and Infinite Games. It’s generally seen as a polarising work, with a fair number of scathing reviews to go alongside its glowing ones. It clearly made a big impression on … Read more

Spreading the Word About One of My Favourite Underrated Films [Rollei Retro 400S]

Images shot on Rollei Retro 400S in Canon Sure Shot AF-7 If you shoot film, you probably have a few that are your favourites. And if any of those are the better-known ones like Portra 400 or HP5 Plus, they’ll probably be a lot of other people’s favourites too. But what about the … Read more

Sunny Street Shooting With a Cheap ISO 100 Colour Film [Kodak Pro Image 100]

Images shot on Kodak Pro Image 100 in Canon Sure Shot AF-7 The first time I shot some ISO 100 Kodak film in the streets of Shanghai, it was the professional grade and comparatively pricey Ektar loaded in my Yashica Electro rangefinder. The results, some of which you can see … Read more

Shooting Street Style With a Fine Slide Film [Kodak Ektachrome E100]

Images shot on Kodak Ektachrome E100 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN When Kodak announced in 2017 that their previously discontinued Ektachrome was coming back, many an experienced head in the film photography world rejoiced. For me though, as a not very experienced head, it was a time to learn. To learn what … Read more

Shooting a High ISO Colour Film in Low Light [Fujicolor Natura 1600]

Images shot on Fujicolor Natura 1600 in Nikon FM3a If you’re looking for a high ISO colour film that’s still in production these days, you’re sadly not going to find anything as fast as this Natura 1600. When Fujifilm killed it off, it was the last of the ISO 1600 colour films … Read more

Shooting Street With One of the World’s Most Expensive 35mm Films [Fujicolor Natura 1600]

Images shot on Fujicolor Natura 1600 in Nikon FM3a One thing I’ve learnt while shooting all these films is that their cost doesn’t necessarily translate to how good they were in my opinion. In its own way, I was just as fond of the cheap Fujicolor C200 as I was the … Read more

Shooting Street With Kodak’s Iconic Budget Film [Kodak Gold 200]

Images shot on Kodak Gold 200 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN We’re roughly 20% of the way through the 21st century as I write this – in 2020 – and we’re still lucky enough to be getting new films coming onto the market. In relatively recent times, CineStill started modifying … Read more

Shooting Street With Ilford’s Professional Film [Ilford Delta 400]

Images shot on Ilford Delta 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN One thing I’ve hardly ever wondered about until now is what it actually means when some product or other has the word professional plastered across it and how much difference it makes to the average consumer. I guess higher grade engine … Read more

Trying a New Film in My Old Neighbourhood [Ilford XP2 Super 400]

Images shot on Ilford XP2 Super 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN A lot of the film photography I’ve published on this site was shot in and around the Qibao area of Shanghai. Like the shots on this post, for example. The reason for that is pretty simple. It’s because that’s … Read more

Finally Visiting Shanghai’s Jing’an Temple [Kodak Portra 400]

Images shot on Kodak Portra 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN There’s something about living in a place that makes you get lazy about seeing all of what it has to offer. Just think about all the things your hometown has to offer and then think how many of them you’ve … Read more

The Fear of Success and Judgement of Your Photography [Ilford HP5 Plus 400]

I wrote a post before about whether success was – or could be – scarier than failure. I genuinely believed it was. And then I heard a statement that instantly turned that opinion on its head. It killed my belief in it.

Having a perceived fear of success could be holding you back, and it’s going to be harder to get over it if that’s not even what the real problem is.

Come read to learn what I now believe a ‘fear of success’ actually is and see whether this can help you if it’s holding you back creatively. What have you got to lose?

Shooting Street With Kodak’s Most Popular Film [Kodak Portra 400]

Images shot on Kodak Portra 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN It took me a while but I finally did it. After shooting such household names as Oriental Seagull and Fujicolor Industrial, I managed to get hold of that obscure film known as Kodak Portra 400 and give it whirl in … Read more

Photographers – Show As Much of Your Work As You Can [Fujicolor C200]

Images shot on Fujicolor C200 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN If you’re a photographer, there’s an argument that says you should show as much of your work as you can. You might not agree with it. I’m not saying it’s right for everyone. But I do think it could help you to … Read more

A Spot of UrbEx in Shanghai [Kodak ColorPlus 200]

Images shot on Kodak ColorPlus 200 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I guess it’s funny what different people do and don’t feel comfortable doing. For me, as most of my photography on this site shows, I was okay walking around Shanghai taking photographs of strangers. UrbEx in Shanghai, though. Urban exploration. Going … Read more

My First Expired Film Fail [Kodak Dental Photographic Slide Film]

Images shot on Kodak Dental Photographic Slide Film in Yashica Electro 35 GSN One thing I’ve been lucky with so far while shooting film is a very low number of times a roll has gone catastrophically wrong. Massively underexposing some Shanghai GP3 100 in a borrowed Holga springs to mind but apart … Read more

Why You Should Vary What You Shoot [Kodak Ektar 100]

Images shot on Kodak Ektar 100 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN Shooting inanimate objects isn’t something I’ve done much of since I started with my vintage lens and film photography. I just always found shots with people in them more interesting. Perhaps this was influenced by my location, as spending most of … Read more

Finally Shooting Ilford’s Most Iconic Film [Ilford HP5 Plus 400]

Images shot on Ilford HP5 Plus 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I still remember my process for choosing which films to shoot back when I first got into this whole analogue photography thing. It was a complex equation that involved price, what boxes I liked the look of, and … Read more

Shooting Street With Kodak’s Most Vivid Film [Kodak Ektar 100]

Images shot on Kodak Ektar 100 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN As much as I enjoy shooting film, seeing the results, and writing about it on here, there’s a side to this blogging thing that I don’t think I’ve mentioned before. And that is learning all about the different films I … Read more

The Development of Yangshuo – China’s Most Beautiful Tourist Trap [Fujicolor C200]

Images shot on Fujicolor C200 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN Before I lived in Shanghai, a place I’ve shot more photographs of and written about more than any other on this website, I lived in a small town in southern China called Yangshuo. As you can see from this picture of Yangshuo … Read more

Shooting More Ilford Pan 400 in Shanghai

Images shot on Ilford Pan 400 in an Olympus Supertrip One of the first film photo essays I published on this site showed what I got from a roll of Ilford Pan 400 that I shot around Shanghai. If you’ve not seen it, you can go take a look here. I … Read more

Shanghai in an Instant – a Fujifilm Instax Project

If you’ve seen any of the film photo essays I usually publish here, you’ve probably noticed from that first image that this one is going to be a little different. I’d wanted to do some sort of instant photography project since I bought my better half a Fujifilm Instax Mini … Read more

The Shopfronts and Subway Series [CineStill 800T]

Images shot on CineStill 800T in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I talk a lot on here about the importance of creating and making things. About getting out there and shooting as much as we can. About how doing it is always better than not doing it, whatever the results you come back … Read more

Lessons Learnt from the Littlest Holga [Shanghai GP3 100 + Lomography 100]

Images shot on Shanghai GP3 100 and Lomography Color Negative 100 in Holga Glo 120N Back in the winter of 2017, the man known as @Givemeabiscuit on Twitter and (I guess) Sandeep to his family sent his Holga Glo 120N off on a trip around the world. The idea is that … Read more

Nothing New Under the Sun [CineStill 800T]

Images shot on CineStill 800T in Yashica Electro 35 GSN I’ve never really thought about this before, but it seems one way you could categorise film stocks is by whether they have an inherent influence on what gets shot on them or not. There are plenty of general purpose ones that … Read more

Showing You the Stragglers [Oriental Seagull 100]

Images shot on Oriental Seagull 100 in the Yashica Electro 35 GSN If there’s one thing I like doing when I shoot a roll of film, it’s squeezing as many photographs out of it as I can. It’s not unusual to get multiple essays on here from the 36 exposures. When I … Read more

Shots from the Shanghai Marriage Market [Oriental Seagull 100]

Images shot on Oriental Seagull 100 in the Yashica Electro 35 GSN The Shanghai marriage market is something I’d heard mentioned a few times during my time in the city but, for some reason, I’d never had any real interest in knowing when or where it was. That apathy continued … Read more

Shooting Film at Jinshan – Shanghai’s Best Beach? [Fujicolor C200]

Images shot on Fujicolor C200 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN When people look at a list of things to do in China’s largest city, the beach never features very highly. Trust me, I do some research before writing these things and ‘best beach in Shanghai’ doesn’t get typed into Google … Read more

Nanchan Temple Revisited [Kodak Ultramax 400]

Images shot on Kodak Ultramax 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN Quite a while ago, before I got into film photography and was still shooting with vintage lenses on a digital body, I did a photo essay from Wuxi’s Nanchan temple. It was shot in monochrome with the lovely old … Read more

Water Colour Pictures in Wuxi, China [Fujicolor Industrial 400]

Images shot on Fujicolor Industrial 400 in Yashica Electro 35 GSN If you’re into painting scenery and landscapes, I imagine the canals and bridges around Wuxi’s Nanchang Street would be a prime spot to get some done. I really can only imagine this because I’m pretty terrible at painting of any … Read more

A Shot in the Park [Kentmere 400]

Kentmere 400 isn’t my favourite film in the world, but I could only learn that for myself and know it for sure by shooting some. Part of the roll was shot in a park – hence the title.

Come see how it turned out and why I’m very happy I tried Kentmere 400, even though I generally prefer the results I’ve gotten from other films so far.

Catching Colour in Wuxi, China [Kodak Ultramax 400]

Catching colour on Kodak Ultramax 400 in a Yashica Electro in sunny Wuxi, China? That’s what I did. Come have a look how the shots turned out here.

Two Simple Black and White Film Photography Tips [JCH Street Pan 400]

Wherever you are with your photography, there will always be people who can learn something from you. There will also always be people who can teach you something new.

The two simple tips in this article might not be new to you, especially if you’re further along than me. But they can be useful if you’re just starting out and want to make your monochrome work better.

Whichever camp you’re in, there’s also some shots taken with the lovely JCH Street Pan 400 to look at here. So come and do that, if nothing else.

Parks and Recreation [Kodak Gold 200]

For a city so built up, you’re never short of a park to spend some time at in Shanghai, and these parks are never short of people using them for recreation.

That makes them decent places to shoot some film photography, as I did and then wrote about here in this little blog post. Their recreation became a subject for mine.

Kodak Gold 200’s bright colours make it a good film for sunny days like this, as these shots from the Yashica Electro 35 give a glimpse of. Come see.

Two Fishing Villages in Shitang, Wenling [JCH Street Pan 400]

You’re never short of places to visit in a country as big as China, as towns like Shitang are constantly proving. To me, anyway.

Most people have probably never heard of the place but I can tell you it’s near the city of Wenling, which is also a place most people have probably never heard of.

Regardless, I went there and shot some JCH Street Pan 400 in a couple of the fishing villages. Come see how that turned out.

Jing’an Sculpture Park, Shanghai [Oriental Seagull 100]

Jing’an Sculpture Park offers nice respite from the city outside its boundaries and good artwork to check out once inside them. It’s artwork that’s constantly changing too as new pieces regularly replace existing ones.

I loaded the Yashica Electro 35 with some Oriental Seagull 100 and went to make some photographs of the sculptures there when I was, along with some shots of the people who were too.

This is the write-up of those shots, and it features a sculpture that’s actually kinda famous in certain circles. European sculpture circles, I think. Come see what that is and everything more in this piece on the Jing’an Sculpture Park.

Small City Street Photography [Kentmere 400]

Sometimes you have to get away from the sprawling metropolis and head for the small city. Especially when it’s Chinese New Year and you have people to visit.

While you’re there you may as well get in some street photography. That’s what I did, and on Kentmere 400 film no less. A stock I hadn’t shot before now.

Want to see how it turned out? Because you can. Come see the small city street photography, the thoughts surrounding it, and one simple way some of the shots could have been better IMO.

Rushin’ Around the Cotswolds [Silberra Pan 200]

The Cotwolds aren’t the kind of place you’d typically rush around, and I wouldn’t recommend you do so. Not when you have all that scenery to stop and take in.

It’s scenery that deserves your best photography, which is something I didn’t give it. For me it was more of a testing ground for a roll of Silberra Pan 200 – a Russian film I got as a crowdfunding campaign reward.

That explains the daft pun in the title, but it doesn’t tell you how the shots came out. To know that, you’re going to have to click inside and come see for yourself.

Say Hello and Wave Goodbye [Agfa Vista Plus 200]

Sometimes you sit down with a bunch of photographs to share and no idea of what to write about to go with them. It’s not often I do that, but this piece is one of those occasions.

That title comes from a Soft Cell song. It was later covered by David Gray. It also covers a few themes detailed in this post. The passage of time is one. As is a discontinued film. Also a new way to even write stuff for this website.

Come see what we’re saying hello and waving goodbye to, why, and whether these are good or bad things. Hint: I think they’re mainly good.

Longhua Martyrs’ Memorial Park, Shanghai [Agfa Vista Plus 200]

Longhua Martyrs’ Memorial Park offers a few things the rest of Shanghai doesn’t. Soviet-style communist sculptures and peace and quiet being the main ones.

It makes for a decent trip out of the city centre – especially when you consider Longhua temple is right next door too. Take your camera and perhaps even a picnic.

These are some shots I got from Longhua on Agfa Vista Plus 200 in the Yashica Electro 35. Come take a look and come learn more about the place before you visit.

Edinburgh Street Photography on Russian Film [Silberra Pan 200]

After about a decade away, I returned to one of my very favourite cities in the UK. So of course I had to take the Yashica Electro 35 GSN and a roll of film with me.

That film was Silberra Pan 400 – a Russian stock that ran a Kickstarter campaign in 2017. This roll was one of the rewards I got for backing that.

The last time I went to Scotland’s capital, I wasn’t really into photography that much. So it was nice to go there and come back with some shots of some landmarks and, of course, some Edinburgh street photography.

Fishing for Eyes in the Good Light [Kodak ColorPlus 200]

Not the clearest article title there, is it? But it does describe what you’re about to read pretty well if you give it a chance. And that is a 3-step process for shooting the kind of images I like to shoot.

It’s not a hard thing to get your head around and you don’t need to do street photography for it to help you. It can be useful whatever you shoot.

Want to know what the process is? Then come take a read as we go through it from its logical beginning to end, and all illustrated with a bunch of street photographs shot on film using it.

The First Roll from the Yashica Electro 35 GSN [Fujicolor Industrial 100]

Rangefinder film cameras aren’t always the easiest to get to grips with when you’ve never used one before. As you can see from the title, I’d never used one before I shot this roll in my Yashica Electro.

If you’re wondering how it went, you’re not too far away from what I was thinking while shooting. I had no idea how it was going either.

The short version is it finished better than it began, which is understandable as you get used to a camera. The long version is inside. Come read it.

Chasing Light in Qibao Old Town [Fujicolor Industrial 100]

Sitting out to the west of the city centre but still absolutely in Shanghai, Qibao old town makes a lovely day away from the shiny skyscrapers of China’s biggest metropolis.

If you’re going to go there, try to pick a day with fewer people. So neither a weekend nor a national holiday. Try also to pick a sunny day. Then you can take advantage of the light and get better photographs.

Trust me. I shot parts of Qibao – on Fujicolor Industrial 100 film – on both bright and overcast days. Come see the difference good light makes to your photography here.

A Few from the m50 Art District, Shanghai [Fujicolor Industrial 100]

m50, at Moganshan Road in Shanghai, is one of the city’s most iconic art districts. It’s also one of the only places in town you’ll find genuine street art.

I went there with the old Olympus Supertrip and a roll of Fuijfilm Industrial 100 to get a few shots, which you can see in this short essay.

Come take a look, find out how the m50 art district came about, and how you can get there if you’re in Shanghai and want to check it out too.

Shooting for the First Shitty Camera Challenge [Rollei Retro 400S]

The Shitty Camera Challenge was pretty much as the name suggested. That was… to shoot with a shitty camera. You could use any film you wanted and then were to post the results to Twitter.

There was a suitably bad first prize, which I don’t know who won right now but I hope it wasn’t me, and lots of fun to be had on the #shittycamerachallenge hashtag.

For me, it was an excuse to get out again with the Canon Sure Shot AF-7 and try some Rollei Retro 400S for the first time. This is how it went. Come take a look.

A Failed Photography Trip to Nanxun Water Town [Fujicolor Industrial 100]

Nanxun water town sits not too far from Shanghai, which makes it a good getaway from the city. It’s also a pretty photogenic place, if that’s what you’re into.

And if you are, you won’t want to make the same mistake I did which led to coming back with just four photographs – shot on Fujicolor Industrial 100 – to show for it.

Come read what happened, see how to avoid the same happening to you and why, in the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t really a failed trip at all.

The Beach and the Beer – a Qingdao Film Photography Essay [Ilford Pan 400]

Qingdao is synonymous in China for its beer, but there’s more to the place than drinking. Having said that, the Tsingtao brewery and beer street *is* a must visit if you’re in town.

So too are the beaches.

So with a single roll of Ilford Pan 400 to work with, I focused this photography essay on those two things – the beach and the beer. Come see how it turned out.

Shooting Ilford Pan 400 in Shanghai

More film photography, right here. And this time we’re shooting monochrome.

Ilford Pan 400 is a film available in Asia. It’s not expensive, but does that make it worth buying if you’re in the area? Or even getting some shipped if you’re not?

To find out, I shot some Shanghai street photography with it. Here, in this very article, you can come see how it turned out. Come one, come all. Come on. Come in.

Yuhuan – a Film Photography Essay [Ilford Pan 400]

Yuhuan is a small, industrial city on China’s east coast. I don’t think many people go there for the sightseeing.

I went there for a Chinese New Year and took my charity shop film camera and two rolls of Ilford Pan 400. I wanted to tell a story. I wanted to present Yuhuan as I saw it.

This film photography essay is the result of that. Come take a look.

Testing the Olympus Supertrip in Shanghai [Kodak ColorPlus 200]

Another new old camera, bought cheap in an English charity shop, and a roll of the only film they had in Tesco. Taken to Shanghai and tested out in the winter sun.

The images I got are presented in this article. There aren’t that many of them but what is here is worth seeing. I wouldn’t have shared them otherwise.

So come take a look and see how a camera that cost less than the roll of Kodak ColorPlus inside it fared on its first outing (I presume) in China.

Testing the Canon Sure Shot AF-7 @ Airport Square, Chongqing [Kodak ColorPlus 200]

We need to be honest here. Chongqing’s Airport Square is in no way a place you should ever visit. Chongqing the city certainly is. But spend your time seeing the good stuff in the city centre.

That said, Airport Square was good to me. It provided a nice little location to test out my new old camera – the Canon Sure Shot AF-7. The question is, how did the shots turn out?

The answer is in this post. So maybe you should come on in and find out. Please. Thanks.

Short Essay: My Favourite Sport

A couple of short essay examples on my favourite sport.

Table of Contents

My Favourite Sport Essay Example 1

Sports play an important role in our lives, and for many people, they serve as a source of entertainment, enjoyment, and a way to stay active. As someone who loves sports, my favorite sport is basketball. This is a game that I enjoy playing and watching, and it is one that requires skill, teamwork, and dedication. In this essay, I will explain why basketball is my favorite sport, highlighting its fast-paced nature, the skills it requires, and its enjoyable aspects.

Basketball is a sport that is known for its fast-paced nature, and this is one of the main reasons why it is my favorite sport. The game moves quickly, and there is always something happening on the court. Whether it is a player dribbling the ball, a pass, or a shot, there is no shortage of action. This fast-paced nature of the game makes it exciting to watch and play, and it keeps me engaged throughout the entire game.

Another reason why basketball is my favorite sport is that it requires skill in dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. These skills take time and practice to master, and they are essential to being a good basketball player. Dribbling the ball requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to control the ball while moving at high speeds. Shooting requires good technique and accuracy, and teamwork is essential for passing the ball and setting up plays. These skills make basketball a challenging and rewarding sport to play, and they are what makes it so enjoyable for me.

Finally, watching professional basketball games and playing basketball with friends are both enjoyable activities for me. Watching professional basketball games is exciting because I get to see some of the best players in the world compete at the highest level. It is also fun to watch the strategies and tactics that coaches use to win games. Playing basketball with friends is also enjoyable because it is a fun and social way to stay active. It allows me to bond with my friends while also improving my basketball skills.

In conclusion, basketball is my favorite sport because of its fast-paced nature, the skills it requires, and its enjoyable aspects. This game challenges me both physically and mentally, and it is one that I never tire of playing or watching. Whether I am watching a professional game or playing a pickup game with friends, basketball is always a source of enjoyment and excitement for me.

My Favourite Sport Essay Example 2

Sports are an essential part of our lives, and they play a crucial role in keeping us fit and healthy. People all over the world have different tastes and preferences when it comes to sports. For me, basketball is my favorite sport. The fast-paced nature of the game, coupled with the team dynamic, makes it an exciting sport to watch and play. In this essay, I will discuss why basketball is my favorite sport and the benefits it provides.

Basketball is my favorite sport because it is fast-paced, and the game is always moving. Unlike some other sports, basketball requires constant movement, making it an exciting game to watch and play. The fast-paced nature of the game means that there is always something happening on the court, making it almost impossible to get bored while watching or playing. Additionally, the team dynamic in basketball is unique, and it makes the game even more exciting. Players must work together to score points, making it a great sport for building teamwork skills.

Playing basketball requires a combination of physical and mental skills. Physically, basketball players need to have agility, speed, and coordination. They need to be able to move quickly, change direction, and jump high to make shots or block their opponents’ shots. Mentally, basketball players need to be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions. They need to be able to analyze the game, determine the best strategy, and adjust their play accordingly. These skills are essential not only in basketball but also in many other areas of life.

Basketball provides numerous benefits, including staying active, socializing with others, and improving personal skills and teamwork abilities. Basketball is an excellent way to stay active and fit, and it provides a great cardiovascular workout. Additionally, basketball is a social sport, and it provides opportunities to interact with others and build relationships. Finally, playing basketball can help improve personal skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork abilities. These skills are essential in both personal and professional settings.

In conclusion, basketball is my favorite sport due to its fast-paced nature, team dynamic, and numerous benefits. Playing basketball requires a combination of physical and mental skills, and it provides a great way to stay active, socialize with others, and improve personal skills and teamwork abilities. Overall, basketball is a fun and exciting sport that provides numerous benefits to those who play it.

My Favourite Sport Essay Example 3

Sports are a great way to stay active and healthy, and they can also provide a sense of community and camaraderie. Out of all the sports, basketball is my favourite. It combines physical skill with strategic thinking, making it both challenging and exciting to play. In this essay, I will discuss why basketball is my favourite sport, from the physical benefits to the mental stimulation it provides.

Basketball is a sport that requires both physical skill and strategic thinking. It involves running, jumping, and moving quickly, as well as making split-second decisions on the court. This combination of physical and mental challenges is what makes basketball so appealing to me. Not only do you have to be quick and agile, but you also have to be able to outsmart your opponents and anticipate their movements. This makes each game unique and thrilling, as you never know what will happen next.

Playing basketball provides a great workout and improves hand-eye coordination. The constant movement and jumping help to build endurance and strengthen muscles, while the need to handle the ball and shoot accurately improves hand-eye coordination. Additionally, basketball is a sport that can be played with others, which makes it a great way to socialize and build teamwork skills. The fast-paced nature of the game and the need for quick decision-making also help to improve cognitive function and reaction time.

The fast-paced nature of basketball and the need for teamwork make it a thrilling and rewarding sport to play. There is a certain rush that comes with making a great pass or sinking a difficult shot, and the feeling of working together with your teammates to achieve a common goal is incredibly satisfying. Basketball is also a sport that can be played in a variety of settings, from gymnasiums to outdoor courts, which adds to its versatility and accessibility.

In conclusion, basketball is my favourite sport because it combines physical skill with strategic thinking, provides a great workout and improves hand-eye coordination, and is a thrilling and rewarding sport to play. Whether you are playing in a competitive league or just shooting hoops with friends, basketball is a sport that offers a wide range of benefits and challenges. It is truly a sport for everyone, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and engaging way to stay active and healthy.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

[email protected]

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Research Your Favorite Instrument on the Web

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The Eclipse Chaser

As millions of americans prepare to see a total solar eclipse, a retired astrophysicist known as “mr. eclipse,” discusses the celestial phenomenon..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

Can you hear — Fred, can you hear me?

[DISTORTED SPEECH]:

The internet is a little wonky.

OK. Well, [DISTORTED SPEECH]: Arizona. So the internet speed here isn’t really fast.

I think we’re going to call — yeah, I think we’re going to call you back on a — for the first time in a really long time — a landline.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hey, Fred, it’s Michael Barbaro.

You can hear me OK?

I can hear you.

Perfect. So, Fred, where exactly am I reaching you?

I’m in Portal, Arizona, in a little community called Arizona Sky Village. And it’s a very rural community. So our internet and phone lines are not very good. And the nearest grocery store is 60 miles away.

Wow. And why would you choose to live in such a remote place with such bad internet?

Because the sky is dark. It’s like the sky was a hundred years ago before cities encroached on all of the country. I guess you’d call it an astronomy development. Mainly, amateur astronomers who have built homes here far from city lights for the express purpose of studying the sky.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

So it’s literally a community where once the sun goes down, it’s pitch black. And some, perhaps all of you, are stargazing?

Yes, exactly.

Well, I think I’m beginning to understand why you might have the nickname that you do. Can you just tell our listeners what that nickname is?

My nickname is Mr. Eclipse.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.” Today’s total solar eclipse will be watched by millions of people across North America, none of them as closely as Fred Espenak, a longtime NASA scientist who’s devoted his entire life to studying, chasing, and popularizing the wonder that is an eclipse.

It’s Monday, April 8.

Fred, help me understand how you become Mr. Eclipse, how you go from being Fred to this seemingly very hard-earned nickname of Mr. Eclipse.

Well, I was visiting my grandparents at their summer home. And it was a partial eclipse of the sun back in the early 1960s. And I was a 10 - or 12-year-old kid. I got my parents to get me a small telescope. And I watched some of the partial phases. And it was really interesting.

And I started reading about eclipses. And I found out that as interesting as a partial eclipse is, a total eclipse is far more interesting. The moon is only 1/400 the diameter of the sun. It’s tiny compared to the sun. But it’s 400 times closer to the Earth. So it’s just this incredible coincidence that the moon and sun appear to be the same size in the sky. And once in a while, the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun. And you’re plunged into this very strange midday twilight.

But they’re limited to a very small geographic areas to see a total eclipse. And this little book I was studying had a map of the world, showing upcoming paths of total solar eclipses. And I realized that one was passing through North America about 600 miles from where I lived. And that eclipse was in 1970.

And I was reading about this in 1963, 1964. And I made a promise to myself that I was going to get to that eclipse in 1970 to see it because I thought it was a one chance in a lifetime to see a total eclipse of the sun.

So just to be very clear, you see a partial eclipse, and you immediately think to yourself, that was fine. But I need the real thing. I need a full eclipse. And you happen to find out, around this time, that a real eclipse is coming but in seven years.

Right. I mean, there were other eclipses between that time and seven years in the future. But they were in other parts of the world. And I couldn’t buy an airplane ticket and fly to Europe or Australia.

And by 1970, I’d been waiting for this. And by this point, I had just gotten a driver’s license. And I convinced my parents to let me drive the car 600 miles to get down into the path of totality to see this great event.

Wow. Wait, from where to where?

From Staten Island, New York, down to a little town in North Carolina.

How did you convince your parents to let you do that? I mean, that’s —

Well, I had seven years to work on it.

[LAUGHS]: Right.

And I was just a nerdy kid. I didn’t get into trouble. I was interested in science. I was out in the woods, studying frogs and wildlife and stuff. So this was just a natural progression of the type of things I would normally do.

Right. OK. So I wonder if you can describe this journey you end up taking from Staten Island. How does the trip unfold as you’re headed on this 600 mile?

So, I think, on March 6, 1970, it was a Friday. My friend and I left to drive to the eclipse path. We probably got on the road probably at 5:00 AM because it was going to be a very long day.

And we’ve got a detailed map in the car, which I’ve plotted the eclipse path on. And we’re just trying to get far enough south to get into the path of the eclipse, which for us is easternmost Virginia or Eastern North Carolina. And I drive and drive and drive all day long. Very long day.

We get down to North Carolina right about maybe 6:00 PM. And we just see this little town in North Carolina that we’re driving through. And it happens to have a convenient motel right in the center of the path. And that was good enough. Got a room available. And we check in. And that’s where we’re going to watch the eclipse from.

And the next morning was eclipse day. It was a bright, crisp, sunny morning. There weren’t any clouds at all in the sky. And I was amazed that outside the back of the motel, in this grassy field, there were dozens and dozens of people with telescopes out there, specifically there for the eclipse that morning.

We were really excited about this. We set up our — my telescope. And we had another camera set up to watch it. And we walked around and marveled at some of the other people and their telescopes and discussed the eclipse with them. And the eclipse started probably around noon or 1:00 in the afternoon.

Describe the actual event itself, the eclipse. How did it begin?

Well, all solar eclipses begin as a partial eclipse. And the sun is gradually covered by the moon as the moon takes larger and larger pieces out of the sun, as it slowly crawls across the sun’s surface. And you don’t really notice much going on with a naked eye.

It’s really only in the last 10 minutes or so that you start to notice changes in the environment because now enough of the sun has been covered, upwards of maybe 90 percent of the sun. And you start to notice the temperature falling. There’s a chill in the air.

Also, since so much of the sun is covered, the daylight starts to take on an anemic quality. It’s weak. The sun is still too bright to look at. But the surroundings, the environment is not as bright as it was a half hour earlier.

You start to notice animals reacting to the dwindling sunlight. They start acting like it’s sunset. And they start performing some of their evening rituals, like birds roosting, perhaps calling their evening songs. And plants start closing up and the dropping sunlight. And then the dropping temperatures.

And there’s an acceleration now of all these effects. The temperature drop, the drop in the sunlight, it starts happening faster and faster and getting darker and darker. And maybe about a minute before the total eclipse began, we noticed strange patterns on the ground beneath us, on the grassy field that we were on — these ripples racing across the field. And these are something called shadow bands.

They look a lot like the rippling patterns that you would see on the bottom of a swimming pool, bands of light and dark, and moving very quickly across the ground. The sky is — it’s a dark blue. And it’s getting darker rapidly in this dwindling sunlight. And you go from daylight to twilight in just 10 or 20 seconds. It’s almost like someone has the hand on the rheostat and turns the house lights down in the theater.

You just see the light just go right down.

And the sky gets dark enough that the corona, the outer atmosphere of the sun, starts emerging from the background sky. This ring or halo of gas that surrounds the sun, and it’s visible around the moon, which is in silhouette against the sun. And along one edge of the moon is this bright bead of sunlight because that’s the last remaining piece of the sun before it becomes total.

And this is the diamond ring effect because you’ve got the ring of the corona and this dazzling jewel along one edge of it. You only get to see this for 10 or 15 seconds — it’s very fleeting — before the moon completely covers the sun’s disk. And totality begins. Suddenly, you’re in this twilight of the moon’s shadow.

And you look around the horizon. And you’re seeing the colors of sunrise or sunset 360 degrees around the horizon because you’re looking out the edge of the moon’s shadow. And looking back up into the sky, the sun is gone now. And you see this black disk of the moon in silhouette surrounded by the sun’s corona.

Maybe this says more about my nature than anything else, but what you’re describing, a little bit, feels like the end of the world.

Well, I think, when you see this all transpire, you can easily understand how people thought this was the end of the world because it seems far outside of the realms of nature. It seems supernatural. So you can see how people panicked that didn’t understand what was going on.

That was not your reaction?

No. I think it’s a sense of belonging — belonging to this incredible universe, both belonging and a humbleness that how minuscule we are. And yet we’re a part of this fantastic cosmic wheel of motion in the solar system. You almost get a three-dimensional sense of the motions of the Earth and the moon around the sun when you see this clockwork displayed right in front of you, this mechanics of the eclipse taking place.

It almost lifts you up off the planet, and you can look back down at the solar system and see how it’s all put together. And you’ve only got to, in that case — in that particular eclipse, it was only 2 and 1/2 minutes to look at this.

Wow. It’s kind of a clock in your head, saying, you don’t have much of this.

You don’t have much of it. And it almost seems like time stops.

And at the same time, all of a sudden, the eclipse is over. Those 2 minutes just raced by. And it’s over. All of a sudden, the diamond ring forms again on the opposite side of the moon, as the sun starts to become uncovered at the end of totality. And the diamond ring appears. It grows incredibly bright in just a few seconds. And you can’t look at it anymore. It’s too bright. You’ve got to put your filters back on and cover your telescope with a solar filter so it doesn’t get damaged. And you’re trembling because of this event.

Everybody was cheering and shouting and yelling. I mean, you would have thought you were at a sports game, and the home team just scored a touchdown. Just everybody screaming at the top of their lungs. And I immediately started thinking that this can’t be a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve got to see this again.

We’ll be right back.

OK. So, Fred, it’s the early 1970s. And you are not Mr. Eclipse yet. You’re just a kid who felt something very big when you watched an eclipse. So how did you end up becoming the premier authority that you now are on eclipses?

Well, after that 1970 eclipse, I started looking into upcoming solar eclipses so I could get a chance to see the sun’s corona again. And the next total eclipse was in Eastern Canada in July of 1972. And I started thinking about that eclipse. And by then, I was going to be in college.

And I started planning because that one was still something I could drive to. It was 1,200 miles instead of 600 miles.

So the summer of 1972 rolls around. And I drove up to the eclipse in Quebec to see totality and was unfortunately clouded out of the eclipse. I saw some of the partial phases. But clouds moved in and obscured the sun for that view of the sun’s corona.

You were robbed.

I was robbed. And I realized, well, I’ve got to expand my outlook on what’s an acceptable distance to travel to see a total eclipse because the next total eclipse then, in 1973, was through the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa. So I traveled to the Sahara desert for the eclipse, where we had decent weather, not perfect but decent weather. And we got to see totality there.

You saw totality in the desert?

In the desert. In the Sahara Desert. After that, it was just trying to get to every total eclipse I possibly could get to.

At this point, you’re clearly starting to become an eclipse chaser. And I don’t even know if such a thing existed at that moment.

Yeah. I don’t know if it was called that then, but certainly, yeah.

And if you’ll permit me a question that might seem maybe dopey to someone in your field, after you’ve seen one or two or three of these, do they start to blend in together and become a little bit the same?

Not at all. Each one is distinctly different. The sun itself is dramatically different. The sun’s corona is different at each eclipse because the corona is a product of the sun’s magnetic field. And that magnetic field is changing every day. So the details, the fine structure in the sun’s corona is always different. So every eclipse is dramatically different. The appearance of the sun’s corona.

Right. If you look at one Renoir, it’s not the same as the next one. You’re describing the corona of each eclipse as its own work of art, basically.

Exactly. Yeah.

So as you’re chasing these eclipses around the world, what is the place of an eclipse in your day-to-day academic studies and, soon enough, your professional work?

So I went to grad school at University of Toledo and did some work at Kitt Peak National Observatory, learning the ins and outs of photometric photometry — that is, measuring the brightness of stars. And eventually, this led to a job opening at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

And I got interested in the idea of predicting eclipses and started studying the mathematics of how to do this. And I took it over unofficially and started publishing these technical maps and details. And we published about a dozen books through NASA on upcoming eclipses. People would just write me a letter and say they wanted a copy of the eclipse bulletin for such and such an eclipse. And I would stuff it in an envelope and mail it to them.

So you take it upon yourself to make sure that everyone is going to know when the next eclipse is coming?

And no doubt, during this period, you keep going to each and every eclipse. And I wonder which of them stand out to you.

Well, I’ve seen total eclipses from Australia, from Africa, from the Altiplanos in Bolivia, from the ice sheet on the coast of Antarctica, and even from Northern China, on the edge of the Gobi Desert. But one of the most notable eclipses for me was I traveled to India to see a 41-second eclipse, which was very short. And besides seeing a great eclipse in India, I also met my future wife there. She was on the same trip.

I have to hear that story.

Well, she had been trying to see a total eclipse for about 25 years.

She tried to see the 1970 eclipse. But her friends who were going to drive down from Pennsylvania down to North Carolina talked her out of it at the 11th hour.

They talked her out of seeing the same eclipse that was your first total eclipse that was so important to you?

Yes. And they talked her out of it because from Pennsylvania, they were going to have maybe a 90 percent eclipse. They didn’t know any better. They thought that was good enough. And she regretted that decision.

So then she said, OK, well, I’ve got to get to the next total eclipse, which was in Quebec in 1972, the same one that was my second eclipse. And we were probably within five miles of each other in Quebec. And we were both clouded out. Then she was married. She was raising kids. She got busy with domestic life for 20 years. She became a widow.

So now, 1995, there’s this 41-second eclipse in India that is very difficult to get to. It’s halfway around the world. But she’s still itching to see a total eclipse. And we joined the same expedition, a travel group, of 30 eclipse chasers and end up in India for the eclipse. And we have fantastic weather. It’s perfect.

She was in tears after totality. She had been waiting so long to see it. And we struck up a friendship on that trip. By the time the 1998 eclipse was taking place in the Caribbean, at that point, we were together. That was our first eclipse to observe as a couple. I think our wedding cake had a big eclipse on the top of the cake.

[LAUGHS]: Perfect.

We made a music CD for the wedding that we played during the reception. And of course, all the music on the CD had sun and moon themes to it.

Nothing I can say, a total eclipse of the heart

Of course, we had “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” It was a must-have.

Had to. Had to.

It strikes me, Fred, that eclipses are such an organizing principle in your life. Your life seems to literally orbit around them. When you were a kid, you started planning for them years in advance. This work becomes central to your career. It’s how you meet your wife.

And you said, when I asked you, about each eclipse that they’re all different. And obviously, you’re different at each eclipse because time has passed. Your life has changed. And it just feels like your life is being lived in a kind of ongoing conversation with this phenomenon of the sun and the moon overlapping.

Well, the eclipses are like benchmarks that I can use to figure out what else was going on in my life during these times, because I remember the dates of every single eclipse I’ve been to. And if I see a photograph of the solar corona shot during any particular eclipse, I know what eclipse that was. I can recognize the pattern of the corona like a fingerprint.

That’s amazing.

And I the year of the eclipse. It reminds me of when Pat and I got married and between which eclipse we were getting married and had to plan our wedding so it didn’t interfere with any kind of eclipse trips.

And they just serve as benchmarks or markers for the rest of my life of when various eclipses take place. So they’re easy for marking the passage of time.

So we are, of course, talking to you a few days before this year’s eclipse, which I cannot fathom you missing. So where are you planning to watch this total eclipse?

Pat and I are leaving for Mazatlán, Mexico, actually tomorrow. And we’ve got about 80 people joining us down in Mazatlán for this eclipse in our tour group.

And for you, of course, this year’s eclipse is just the latest in a very long line of eclipses. But I think, for the rest of us — and here, I’m thinking about myself — this is really going to be my first total eclipse, at least that I can remember. And for my two little kids, it’s absolutely going to be their first.

And given the hard-earned wisdom that you’ve accumulated in all your decades of chasing eclipses around the world, I wonder if you can give us just a little bit of advice for how to best live inside this very brief window of a total solar eclipse, to make sure, not to be cliche, but that we make it count.

Well, I think one mistake that people tend to make is getting preoccupied with recording everything in their lives, what they had for lunch, what they had for dinner. And seeing the eclipse is something that you want to witness firsthand. Try to be present in seeing the eclipse in the moment of it. So don’t get preoccupied with recording every instant of it.

Sit back and try to take in the entire experience because those several minutes pass by so rapidly. But you’ll replay them in your mind over and over and over again. And you don’t want technology getting between you and that experience. And remember to take your eclipse glasses off when totality begins. Note how dark it gets during totality.

Take the glasses off because?

Well, the glasses protect your eyes from the sun’s bright disk. But when totality begins, the sun’s bright disk is gone. So if you use your solar eclipse glasses to try to look at the corona, you won’t see anything. You’ll just see blackness. You’ve got to remove the eclipse glasses in order to see the corona. And it’s completely safe.

And it’s an incredible sight to behold. But during totality, you just want to look around without the glasses on. And take in the sights. Take in the horizon, 360 degrees, surrounding you with these twilight colors and sunset colors.

You’ll easily be able to see Jupiter and Venus shining on either side of the sun during totality. And look at the details in the sun’s corona, fine, wispy textures, and any possible red prominences hugging against the moon’s disk during totality.

And let’s say it’s now the moment of totality, and you, Mr. Eclipse, can whisper one thing into someone’s ear as they’re watching. What would you say to them?

Enjoy. Just take it all in.

Well, Fred, thank you very much. We really appreciate it.

No, thank you. I hope everybody has some clear sky.

After today, the next total solar eclipse to be visible from the continental United States will occur 20 years from now, in 2044. In other words, you might as well watch today’s.

Here’s what else you need to know today. Israel has fired two officers in connection with the deadly airstrike on aid workers from the World Central Kitchen who were killed last week while delivering food to civilians in Gaza. In a report released on Friday, Israel blamed their deaths on a string of errors made by the military. The airstrike, Israel said, was based on insufficient and incorrect evidence that a passenger traveling with the workers was armed.

Meanwhile, Israel said it withdrew a division of ground troops from Southern Gaza on Sunday, leaving no soldiers actively patrolling the area. The move raises questions about Israel’s strategy as the war drags into its sixth month. In particular, it casts doubt on Israel’s plans to invade Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, an invasion that the United States has asked Israel not to carry out for fear of large-scale civilian casualties.

Today’s episode was produced by Alex Stern and Sydney Harper, with help from Will Reid and Jessica Cheung. It was edited by Devon Taylor; fact-checked by Susan Lee; contains original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Corey Schreppel; and sound design by Elisheba Ittoop and Dan Powell. It was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Anthony Wallace.

[THEME MUSIC]

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

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Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Produced by Sydney Harper and Alex Stern

With Will Reid and Jessica Cheung

Edited by Devon Taylor

Original music by Dan Powell ,  Marion Lozano ,  Elisheba Ittoop and Corey Schreppel

Sound Design by Elisheba Ittoop and Dan Powell

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Today, millions of Americans will have the opportunity to see a rare total solar eclipse.

Fred Espenak, a retired astrophysicist known as Mr. Eclipse, was so blown away by an eclipse he saw as a teenager that he dedicated his life to traveling the world and seeing as many as he could.

Mr. Espenak discusses the eclipses that have punctuated and defined the most important moments in his life, and explains why these celestial phenomena are such a wonder to experience.

On today’s episode

Fred Espenak, a.k.a. “Mr. Eclipse,” a former NASA astrophysicist and lifelong eclipse chaser.

Background reading

A total solar eclipse is coming. Here’s what you need to know.

Millions of people making plans to be in the path of the solar eclipse on Monday are expecting an awe-inspiring. What is that feeling?

The eclipse that ended a war and shook the gods forever.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

Fact-checking by Susan Lee .

Special thanks to Anthony Wallace.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Corey Schreppel leads the technical team that supports all Times audio shows, including “The Daily,” “Hard Fork,” “The Run-Up,” and “Modern Love.” More about Corey Schreppel

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