Photography for Writers

REVISED AND UPDATED! – JUNE 2020

NOW INCLUDES EXAMPLE PHOTOS

Click Here to Download Chapter One for free

Click here to buy from your preferred bookstore:

Book 2 in The Practical Writer Series

Title: Photography for Writers

Print ISBN: 9781838078607

eBook ISBN: 9781838078614

Which would you rather be: the writer who got paid £100 for providing the words to a travel article, or the writer/photographer who got paid £250 for providing pictures with those same words for a travel article? Editors are looking for complete words and picture packages these days, so writers who can provide both stand a better chance of success, and also higher rates of pay. And you don’t need to have a professional camera to do this – a simple, pocket, compact camera is capable of taking publishable photos these days, so why shouldn’t you be one of those better paid writers?

Photography for Writers will show you how to make the most of your compact camera, and how to save, store, and retrieve your photos, as well as how to offer these photos to an editor. There’s advice on how to get to know your compact camera, things to think about when taking photos abroad, some of the legal implications of taking photos and advice on how to use your camera as a research tool. 

Contents:

Chapter 1: Why Writers Should Consider Photography
Letters & Fillers Market
Illustrated Articles
Step-by-Step Features
Non-Fiction Books
Research Material
The Digital Benefits

Chapter 2: The Digital World
Digital Camera Types
The Process of Capturing a Digital Image
Understanding (Mega)Pixels
Print Resolution
Digital File Types

Chapter 3: Taking Photographs
Understanding Programme Modes
Planning The Images You Need
Fill The Frame
Light
Seek Out Unusual Angles
Photo Orientation – Landscape and Portrait
Understanding the Rule of Thirds

Chapter 4: Photography Legalities
Do You Need Permission?
Release Forms
Copyright
Photographic Rights Offered

Chapter 5: Your Personal Digital Photographic Library
Creating a Manageable Filing System
Cataloguing Software
Understanding Metadata and Keywording
Basic Image Processing
Image Manipulation
Backing Up Your Photos

Chapter 6: Magazines
Letters & Fillers
Identifying the Opportunities for Writer-Photographers
Analysing Images used by a Magazine
Front Cover Images
Using Images to Secure a Commission
Using Someone Else’s Photographs
Linking your Photos to your Article
Captions
Submitting Your Images

Chapter 7: Non-Fiction Books
Are Photos Really Necessary?
Planning the Images You Need
Think Front Cover
Captioning Images for Books
List of Illustrations and Indexing Photos

Chapter 8: Other Photographic Opportunities
Photographic Agencies
Tourist Brochures
Greetings Cards
Calendars
Magazine Front Covers

Chapter 9: Photography as a Research Tool
Photography for Creative Writers
Copying Research Material
Using Your Photographic Library for Idea Generation

Chapter 10: The Final Exposure

Reviews (First Edition)

“If you ever doubted your ability to take publishable pictures, this book will boost your confidence and change your mind. Photography for Writers covers all the basics in simple language, peppered by Simon’s usual touch of humour. A must for all writers keen to please editors and increase their income.” – Solange Hando – Travel Writer

“It’s given me confidence to go out and play with my camera and approach editors with articles I wouldn’t have done before. Now my compact camera is next to my notebook at all times – I snap away then go back with a meatier camera if needed.” Christine Muir – Writer

“This book gives great advice for the writer who also wishes to illustrate their articles with photographs. These days, photos are usually required by editors when submitting an article, so it makes sense to be able to supply them. The book is written in Simon Whaley’s usual clear and friendly style, and the price is very reasonable.” – Rosemary B (Amazon Review)

“When I started writing for a living I quickly learnt how much editors value good photographs. Within a year I’d got myself onto a course and invested in a decent camera. This book looks at different ways of using photography to enhance your writing. It starts at the very beginning, looking at opportunities for photographic fillers in magazines. Then it takes you through ideas for more aspirational photography to accompany your writing.” S Kearley (Amazon Review)

“Simon Whaley offers good advice that is both clear and concise. The examples he uses to explain differences in aperture and shutter speed are simple and easily understood. His discussions regarding megapixels and the impact they have on photo quality in the context of magazine publication, were informative and useful. Simon outlines the opportunities photography provides for writers and there is much I would not have otherwise thought about. This is a short book that has much to say. I would recommend it to any writer.” – Gayle Beveridge – Writer

“I often write letters to magazines but never thought to include photos with them. Now I have bought magazines with the intention to find fillers to write that I can send with photos. It reminded me of what a good idea it was to label all the photos you have on your pc, not just in topics but years, too. Never thought of doing that, and that it would be useful for editors to have that. Now I have a lot of labelling to do. Thanks, Simon. This book is definitely a keeper.” – Julie Day – Writer

“What more can I say that the other reviewers havent already written?
It’s a great book for article writers. I particularly like the tip of using my camera like a notebook – Ive had so many ideas for articles by doing this.
Better still, I’ve noticed an increase in my writing income by putting the many gems contained in this book into practise. There is also a website with helpful hints and tips on taking better photographs.
A great long awaited book that paid for itself over and over.” CM (Amazon Review)

“A fabulous little book and worth every penny. Full of great advice, simply put, not blinding the reader with technical data they don’t need to know. Includes a great chapter on how the camera works and how to take better photos – it’s worked for me already!
Tells you how to research the market, how to send your photos to editors, how to store and catalogue your images. You won’t need anything else to get you sending your photos off, it’s all in here. Also had a website for further info and examples, queries and up to date info. Brilliant!” -Dorset magpie (Amazon Review)