Follow up to 'picture to tell a story'.

[KennyG]

In an earlier post I described how a picture should tell or match a story, and that technical accuracy may have to take a back seat to news value. Here is a scan of a magazine that is currently carrying a two page spread of my work relating to the story of Oli Poyser winning the UK Legends Cars championship. My object in the main shot was to get Oli acknowledging the win in this race at Knockhill (Scotland for the non-UK readers). Fortunately the quality turned out OK, but because of the news value, even if it were not up to standard, would have likely been used. The small shots are my pictures of other class winners.

Oli is going to race in the US next year and I will be supplying some pictures to 600 Racing magazine in the US for a pre-season story.

http://www.motorpix.co.uk/misc/spread.jpg

Follow the story, it pays dividends if you are trying to get your work published.

[timmyquest]

I guess i'm lucky in that when the paper sends me somewhere all they really want from me is a shot of one of the kids from our town.

It's small-time though, and i'd always like to move up the ladder, so my question to you is: How do you know the story if you dont work for the magazine?

Do you work for them? Do they tell you what they want, or was this just a case of you knowing the standings and thus knowing possible stories?

[gmen]

Follow the story, it pays dividends if you are trying to get your work published.

Excellent work Kenny - a super pic presented very nicely.

I think most publications like a proactive approach - even if they have assigned you to a particular job with a brief - so keeping an eye on the story yourself is vital.

Ok, you'll provide what they've asked for, but if events change/develop on the day, you need to be able to react and make sure you get the relevant shots.

I can see from the headline that there was a good chance that Oli would win the title on that day and your shot captures that perfectly - but I'm sure you would have been prepared for the 'unpredictable' as well.

Once again, top notch work.

gmen

[KennyG]

Do you work for them? Do they tell you what they want, or was this just a case of you knowing the standings and thus knowing possible stories?

I monitor all the race series and double check the standings at each one that is running on the day I'm shooting. I like to get shots of everyone, as even the guy that is last appreciates a nice picture on his wall, but magazines want winners.

As far as the above shot is concerned, I was aware how close Oli was to clinching the championship and I planned that one well in advance. I also have two more pages of shots in the same magazine that were picked simply for their look, go figure.

I do have some assignments, where I go to get something specific for a magazine. I never waste a journey and always treat it as just part of the day. Other times I pick my events based on what I know they will want. A bit of a mixture really.

[PhotosGuy]

Oli is going to race in the US next year and I will be supplying some pictures to 600 Racing magazine in the US for a pre-season story. Good for you Kenny! Keep expanding that market! ;-)
(Does anyone know why these damn smilies don't display?)

[timmyquest]

Oli is going to race in the US next year and I will be supplying some pictures to 600 Racing magazine in the US for a pre-season story.

Damn, at at least $1 per picture...times 600 pictures...thats like...at least $600!