the photographic essay
Establishing image
In order to place an event, activity or people in context with their environment it is important to step
back and get an overview. If the photographer’s essay is about a small coal-mining community
in a valley, the viewer needs to see the valley to get a feeling for the location. This image is often
referred to as the establishing image but this does not necessarily mean that it is taken or appears
fi rst in the story. Often the establishing image is recorded from a high vantage point and this
technique sets the stage for the subsequent shots. In many stories it can be very challenging to
create an interesting establishing image. An establishing image for a story about an animal refuge
needs to be more than just a sign in front of the building declaring this fact. The photographer
may instead seek out an urban wasteland with stray dogs and the dog catcher to set the scene or
create a particular mood.
Action image
This category refers to a medium-distance image capturing the action and interaction of the people
or animals involved in the story. Many of the images the photographer captures may fall into
this category, especially if there is a lot happening. It is, however, very easy to get carried away
and shoot much more than is actually required for a story to be effective. Unless the activity is
unfolding quickly and a sequence is required the photographer should look to change the vantage
point frequently. Too many images of the same activity from the same vantage point are visually
repetitive and will usually be removed by an editor.
Coal mine in the Rhondda valley