We all like stories that are accompanied by good photos. Editors and designers everywhere try hard to find that one “visual” that fits perfectly well with the text.
Sometimes, as we all know, that does not happen. Especially on page one; it is crucial that we position good images, to attract readers into the content of the page.
That is when we appeal to our next best solution: the stand alone photo.
It usually is a great image, but, unfortunately, with no major story attached to it.
The benefits of stand alone photos are many:
• Readers everywhere like them. Especially in today’s environment, with readers sweeping rapidly through the pages of the newspaper, those stand alone photos are a quick way to provide good graphic impact on the page, with some information as well. Many stories can and should be told only through photos. No need for extended texts.
• Designers can use them to enhance pages where the best stories in terms of significance, do not have good photos or graphics to accompany them.
• They can serve as navigational devices: a stand alone photo of a sports event on page one of the newspaper may capture our attention, visually, while telling us that a complete story appears on the sports section.
• They can tease us to tomorrow’s or Sunday’s newspaper. If editors are working on a special project for the next two or three days, there is nothing wrong with using a stand alone photo to promote the project.
Tips on how to best use stand alone photos:
• Place a good headline over the photo (headline can also appear below the photo, but I always recommend the superior position for more effective packaging).
• Box or rule the photo, headline and caption, to guarantee that the stand alone photo does not “Float” on the page, or appears to be related to stories around it.
• Never write a block of text under a stand alone photo that is deeper than the depth of the photograph. This is particularly useful information for one or two column stand alone photos. Captions of six to nine lines are ideal. Otherwise, write a story.
–All or a portion of this column was originally published in the IFRA newsletter.
