Radio stations are not known for photos. They are known for sound bytes or a specific genre of music. While NPR is known for both of those, they should be admired for their photo slideshows. While some outlets use photo slideshows independently, NPR uses them to add context to their print and broadcast stories. Each of the slideshows features a different element that we learned about on the Poynter News University (NewsU) class, "Language of the Image".
In 'Boxing Is The Love Of My Life': A Woman Fights For A Shot At Gold, Nicole Cohen tells the remarkable story of Tyrieshia Douglas, a 23-year-old female boxer who is pursuing the first Olympic gold medal in woman's boxing. The photo slideshow, which shows the Baltimore resident with her family and working out with her trainer, is a combination of informational, passive and active photos. The seventh picture in the eight picture slideshow, which is pictured below, is of Douglas on a scale before her weigh-in. It provides a very unique perspective for the reader, one of the key elements for a picture.
In 'Boxing Is The Love Of My Life': A Woman Fights For A Shot At Gold, Nicole Cohen tells the remarkable story of Tyrieshia Douglas, a 23-year-old female boxer who is pursuing the first Olympic gold medal in woman's boxing. The photo slideshow, which shows the Baltimore resident with her family and working out with her trainer, is a combination of informational, passive and active photos. The seventh picture in the eight picture slideshow, which is pictured below, is of Douglas on a scale before her weigh-in. It provides a very unique perspective for the reader, one of the key elements for a picture.
The most compelling photo slideshow I found was one revolving around the juvenile detention system. It highlights the Juvenile-In-Justice Project, in which photographer Richard Ross takes pictures of children being held in those facilities. The orange jumpsuit serves as a point of entry, as well as greatly impacting the audience by reminding them that these people are kids. |
While NPR mainly uses photos to add another dimension to stories, their music department uses photos to provide coverage of concerts. There was no additional article featured with this photo slideshow of the recent R.E.M. concert at SXSW. This image featuring lead singer, Michael Stipe, captures an intense moment of passion. It has a significant point of entry with his hand surrounding the microphone, drawing the viewer's attention from the edge of the microphone down to Stipe's face. Lighting is also key in this image, which has a great use of artificial light.
Each one of these photo slideshows incorporates a different emotion. Whether it be happy, sadness or anger, the reader finishes viewing these photos and feels an immense sense of awe. For a radio station that specializes in moving people with audio, they are affecting the masses with their visual images too.