SELECTION OF PICTURES, ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS:Sources

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 09

SELECTION OF PICTURES, ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS

Many have undoubtedly heard many a time the old cliché "one picture is worth 10,000 words." This

Chinese proverb helps to explain the popular appeal of news pictures. Never every reader-interest survey

reveals a dominating interest in `picture' material.

Jack Woodford, a successful pulp novelist and non-fiction author, gives over 50 per cent weight age to

write-ups and pictures.

Reasons for popularity of pictures:

They bring us closer to an event by enabling us to see with our own eyes what a writer has seen with his.

Secondly, they somehow seem more truthful than news stories although, of course, pictures can be faked

just as can news stories of poverty-stricken children in the foreign countries are hard for many of us to

believe, but seeing a picture of these under-nourished children in bread lines and soup kitchens make the

situation appear real.

Thirdly, they help us to feel that the persons about whom we read are real people. We see in our paper

names of presidents, English royalty and Hollywood stars, but they remain just names until we can

associate their names with their pictures.

Fourthly, they help to point up or increase the human interest of feature stories. Lastly, they help to

enhance the make-up of a paper by giving variety and vitality to it.

Pictures appeal vividly to our past experience as well as to certain basic drives or deep seated tendencies,

which most humans possess in various degrees of intensity.

The following list is not all-inclusive, but it should serve to classify the principal appeals made by the

general run of the newspaper pictures:

Struggle (including certain sports)

Fear

Sympathy

Children

Animals

Obscenity or Nudity (in limited cases)

Beauty

Play

Familiarity

10.

Humor

Writing is not the only thing, pictures and maps do the rest of the job

No doubt, the importance of a good write-up can never be undermined, but in the present-day journalism,

one can never consider pictures, illustrations and maps of lesser value. These actually contribute towards

the general understanding of the feature, and one must be considering readers' constraints of time while

writing long features sans illustrations.

A picture communicates better than a thousand words

When a picture is placed along with the article, if a reader does not read the feature, he can actually see a

picture and makes an impression. Sometimes, a picture stays in mind for very long instead of the words

related to that particular illustration.

People of all ages see pictures, if don't read

All cannot read but all can see except the blind ones. And those who see always remember

But pictures can motivate the `viewers' to read the feature

If a reader is not interested in reading any feature, a good picture can make him read the article, as his

interest can be incited through visuals.

It is an international language understood by even the illiterate

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

A good picture or illustration can be understood by any person, speaking any language or living in any

country. Succinctly, a feature can go unnoticed, but not a noticeable picture.

What have not been able to write, you can say it through pictures?

There are many occasions in the life of a journalist when he cannot write something owing to certain

pressures on him, but a photographer can solve his problem with the picture. Or the writer can come up

with an illustration to say something sans getting into troubled waters.

Selection of pictures

Careful and cautious

One must be very careful and cautious in the selection of the pictures, as these carry a really huge

importance in the over-all impression of the feature.

Related to the subject

Only those pictures and illustrations should be considered for publication, which are relevant to the

subject under discussion. Be certain that you have made the right choices from among the pictures and

illustrations you have collected for the publication.

Arousing interest

Pictures should be evoking the interest of the readers in the features and they must feel like reading the

text.

Bringing beauty to the pages

In present day world when the reader is fighting against running time, and he always feel that some thing

visual should satisfy his urge for knowledge, then pictures and illustrations help him. Moreover, these

also bring beauty to the pages.

Keeping in mind editorial policy of the newspaper

Selection of the pictures and illustrations must be made according to the Editorial policy of the

newspaper. Most of the newspapers do not allow the usage of obscene or nude pictures; hence it is

binding upon the writer and sub-editor or editor to select pictures and illustrations.

Supporting the subject and its theme

These must be supporting the subject or the angle of the story. Contradiction in the portrayal could

destroy the over-all impact of the feature.

Clear pictures

These should be clear as blurred pictures irritate the reader. However, if the picture is pretty old or taken

from a distant angle, but if it carries importance, then it can be printed. However, effort must be that all

illustrations and pictures should be clear.

Black and white pictures can be printed

In this age of colored newspapers, black and white pictures and illustrations can be used. However,

coloring of these pictures should be avoided. However, it is not binding as well.

Local pictures

Preference should be to use local pictures. Whenever, foreign pictures are used along with local features,

it looks odd. Under compulsion, it can be done.

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Sources

Photographers

Employed photographers of the newspapers must be used and given an idea of the feature and ask them to

bring pictures. Most of the times, they come up with better pictures even beyond your expectations.

Library

Every newspaper has a library where old and new pictures, which must be used up to the maximum

extent.

Reference section

Sometimes the reference section of the newspaper also carries good illustrations, which need some hard

work.

Internet precautions

The Internet is most heavily used source these days, but it must be kept in mind that flagrant use can

cause problems. First, the frequency of the pictures must be checked. Secondly, sometimes the size of the

pictures can vary and when it comes to printing, it can be reduced to an unprintable size. Thirdly, it is

must be seen whether it carries the authorization of copying or not.

Books

Illustrations and pictures from books can also be used, but the copyrights must be observed.

Designers' expertise

In case, if the visuals are not available, the page designers can be briefed about the feature, and asked to

prepare an illustration.

Usage of pictures

Sizing of the pictures

The pictures and illustrations should be sized according to the design of the page, and this is done by the

designer, but suggestion can be given.

Blown up pictures

Again the choice lies with the designer of the page; however, pictures can be blown in size, if their pixels

stay in tact.

Small pictures

Small pictures are used, and especially with the interviews, that is, cut-out heads look appropriate.

Collage favorite of a few

An amalgamation of picture arranged in a specific manner, called Collage, is a favourite of quite a few,

but these must be used sporadically.

Usage of maps

Maps can be for good purpose, especially when the feature is about areas and distances.

Usage of illustrations

Illustrations give an overview of the content of the feature, and designers can be helpful in this regard.

Usage of Alaamti pictures

Sketches and cartoons can be used to good effect, and if used sporadically, impart good impression.

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Cropping of pictures

Using pictures from your own perspective

Pictures must be used according to the content, and what could be visualized through that particular

visual.

Avoiding useless spaces

While cropping pictures, or cutouts, extra spaces should be filled with text.

Objective-orientated

The cropping pictures should be used with an objective, and sporadically instead of frequent use, which

can become trite or boring.

Layout of pictures

Designers' prerogative, but you can say

Designers have to right to assert, but the concerned editor has

the right to suggest-cum-advise the reader.

Placement and highlighting it from one's perspective

Pictures can be placed and highlighted from the writers'

perspective. However, if he is consulted, then things can be better.

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