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How to shoot a quick photo essay
Posted by Kevin Fujii
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Holy Names Academy coxswain Hilary McLeland-Wieser, lower right, shouts high-decibel encouragement to her crew as they compete in Ergomania on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at Seattle University. The winner of the indoor-rowing competition rows the fastest time in 2,000 meters.
Photojournalist Alan Berner is a masterful story teller. The images he finds on an assignment make a complete visual narrative. The lede (newspaper jargon for "lead" or main introductory element) photo, above, grabs your attention. The overall photo gives you a sense of place. Point pictures offer more detail of the overall photo. The ender is self explanatory.
Berner focuses on the subjects at hand, but he enriches the story by combing the periphery. These elements outside of the main playing field apply to every assignment. Understanding a bit of sociology and expecting a subject's next move or reaction differentiates a great photojournalist from a good photographer. Berner is also an incredible listener. He hears noise all the time, but a catch phrase like, "Where's the vomit bucket?" makes him seek out the query and keep an eye on that person (see last photo).
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
This overall photo shows teams of teens to senior citizens competing in Ergomania. More than 400 entrants worked the rowing machines, which are commonly called ergs or ergometers in the rowing community.
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
This point pictures shows Nicole Lukas of the Seattle Rowing Center straining on an erg during a 2,000-meter race as teammate Andrew Hahn watches her overall time, 500-meter split times and stroke rate.
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
This photo sums up the event, notice the quote. Following his 2,000-meter heat, Tyler Sell, of Ashland, Ore., is exhausted and sick to his stomach. Despite the aftereffects, Sell says, "It's the most peaceful, meditative sport I've ever been in."