Simple Commonality.

In this subcourse, we will discuss composition in terms of how your pictures

must relate to each other and allow the viewer to follow the story line from

beginning to end.

Each picture must have visual appeal and clearly

communicate an idea or feeling that relates to the point or theme of the

story. This relationship is called continuity. Five continuity types that

are frequently used to hold picture stories together are as follows:

a. Simple Commonality. A photojournalist uses simple commonality when

he has a group of images on the same subject that can not be arranged in any

particular order. In other words, the pictures have no starting point and

no conclusion.

(1) For example, suppose a photojournalist has prepared a picture

story on Army journalism training.

Individual pictures might show the

following;

(a) Two students tape recording an interview in the radio studio.

(b) A student setting Foto-type headlines for the front page of

his photo-offset paper.

(c) An instructor pointing out a speed graphic to a small group of

students gathered around him.

(d) A student,

with

pencil

and

paper

in

hand,

interviewing

a

foreign officer.

(e) A general classroom scene showing the students seated and the

instructor using the chalkboard.

(f) A student struggling under the weight of an armful of books

issued to him the first day for use during the 12-week course.

(g) A group of students viewing the rotary presses during a field

trip to a local newspaper.

(2) Each photograph features a different pose, scene, students, and

instructors, but the common denominator is that they all show journalism

training.

The photographs have no starting point or conclusion, but the

photojournalist has established or maintained continuity by the fact that

all the pictures pertain to the same general subject matter.

b. Narrative Chronology. Unlike the simple commonality, the narrative

chronology is presented with a definite time sequence in mind. A narrative

chronology will present pictures with a definite beginning, middle or body,

and conclusion.

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