Editorial stock photography offers you the opportunity to "make" photographs in areas of your interest. In many cases you will want to use favorite models, who might be neighbors, relatives, co-workers or other friends. Editorial photography is not limited to "documentary" photography or photojournalism. In many cases you will want to set up the photo. Your models will usually be unpaid non-professionals. In this case, the models were actual staff members at a correctional institution.

Editorial photos should have four basic attributes:

1. The viewer should be respected as a collaborator and be able to "read into" the picture.

2. Although the picture might be posed, even with professional models, the final image should look natural and not contrived. It should be believable. As an editorial photographer you have the license to "re-enact" a scene you have witnessed before or invented in your own mind.

3. The graphics of the image should be bold and poster-like, much like a billboard where the driver has 4.5 seconds to "get the message."

4. The image should evoke a mood.

Follow this basic formula: P=B+P+S+I

Picture equals Background, plus Person(s), plus Symbol, plus Involvement.

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This picture could be used in a psychology textbook illustrating how to handle personnel problems, or in an instruction manual on peer relationships at the workplace, as well as the use here: cover for a trade magazine dealing with law enforcement. Since the body language of both men can be interpreted to reflect several emotions, the picture could be used for several situations:

congratulatory event (modesty)

overtures of friendship (awkwardness)

reprimand (self-consciousness)

subtle hints of chiding, reproach, castigating, disapproval, censure, criticism, etc.

Reminder: in cases of possible sensitive uses of an editorial stock photography, it's best to apprise your models of this. Some amateur models will jump at the chance to exhibit their acting ability; others will shy away from emoting in front of the camera. The photobuyer is not always aware of who your models are, where they are from, or the venue. Their main interest is "Can I use this photo to illustrate my current photo need?"

Can you suggest other emotions the photograph could be seen to portray?

If the opportunity presents itself, always re-arrange your models (if the situation permits) to reflect other typical human communication situations.

Since the badge could be used as a symbol, the two men could interact in a scenario that would suggest:

a. awarding the officer

b. the opposite (removing the badge for a negative reason)

c. presentation of the badge as an upgrade

The marketing benefit of these variations is that you multiply yourself several times by producing several variations on different themes without having to spend time, film and effort to get the situation(s) in several different venues.

Notice in this stock photography that the background is dark enough to "pop" the figures to the center of attention. The viewer is not being distracted or confused with background elements. Yet the background is sufficiently light to suggested the men are in an office environment.

By turning 180 degrees, the photographer can also get a change of background that might inject a different mood or atmosphere.