Visual storytelling; How one photographer gets the right image and tone

by Sarahbeth Maney
ProPublica

Last month, reporter Anna Clark and I hosted an in-person photo gallery and group discussion about what motivated us to tell stories of Flint, Michigan, residents 10 years after the start of the water crisis and to talk about how we work to understand the communities we serve. As a visual fellow at ProPublica, I’m focused on documenting the lives of people in our stories through photography. Throughout history, photography has been a powerful tool for recording moments in time, providing visual evidence and evoking emotions that urge us to understand experiences outside of our own. Here are suggestions for aspiring visual storytellers who may find themselves in similar situations.

Ask “Why Does This Story Need to be Told?”

Anna and I previously worked in Flint in different capacities: I interned as a photojournalist at the Flint Journal; Anna wrote a book, “The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy.” To us, Flint is not just a news story, it’s a complex place full of real people who have been and continue to be denied adequate resources and support. We wanted the public to know that generations of Flint residents still live with physical and psychological challenges. By sharing what Flint residents think accountability would look like, we were able to show how many feel betrayed by the failure to hold anyone criminally responsible. They also remain frustrated by how long it’s taking to fix the local water system and the lingering mental wounds that may never be repaired.

The photo essay gave a glimpse into the experience of three residents and how their present-day concerns, fears and decisions are shaped by the water crisis. Over about four months, I made frequent visits to Flint — stopping by nonprofits, churches, after-school programs and other places that are part of everyday life. I spoke with incredibly kind people. Some wanted to help me; others were hesitant, usually because they wanted to move on or felt things would never change. Robert McCathern, Teagan Medlin and Jacquinne Reynolds granted me a great deal of trust. They were able to open up and make themselves vulnerable because of their commitment to cultivating change for future generations. I tried to represent that through the environment in the photographs.

Be Sincere With Your Approach

During the discussion at the visual storytelling event at Totem Books in Flint, we asked residents to ponder what type of stories resonate with them most, what questions they wish someone would ask them and who is one person they would like to interview. We discovered a common thread of wanting to feel more connected as neighbors and fellow human beings.

Then we flipped the exercise to challenge ourselves as journalists and receive questions from residents. “Why Flint?” one participant asked us. We told her how we’d come to admire the community and wanted to present a multidimensional view of it to readers. “Something about this place seems to get in people’s blood,” the participant told us, and it does seem that for a city of its size, Flint has attracted a disproportionate number of storytellers — even before the water crisis. And yet, some residents still wonder: What has changed? Over the past decade, Flint residents have been in the public eye not by choice, but as a result of a disaster created and prolonged by public officials. So what does that mean for us and our responsibility as storytellers?

Being in the business of transparency requires us to also be transparent with the communities we document. Without transparency, it’s hard to build mutual trust, especially in communities that have faced betrayal and have had little control over how their stories are shared with the world.

During the early stages of the project, before lifting my camera to make any photos, I listened to Flint residents and learned about their stories, then let what they told me naturally guide the photos I made. Early on, I also stressed that I believe their stories are important to share because people outside of Flint should know that for many Flint residents, the crisis is still not over.

I also should note that our stories go through many layers of revisions and fact-checking. From beginning to end, I tried to communicate how the project was developing and made sure that our sources were aware of how the story would be framed, how they would be portrayed and how they would be quoted. Once the story was published, I followed up to gauge how they were feeling, and later made them aware that photographs of them would appear at our galley in Flint.

Look for Connection and Insight

The beauty of visual storytelling is that the story can always change shape. Let go of any assumptions and let the story lead you where it may. Anna and I learned so much by taking this approach.

We found that, after a decade, many residents are still waiting for the change they want to see. The flood of the resources and attention Flint initially received has dwindled. But one of the reasons I wanted to revisit this story is because of the people I’ve met and will continue to meet. The city has introduced me to people who care deeply about their community and embrace one another with generosity, care and compassion. And I learned about a host of local programs, from the Flint Rx Kids program that provides financial support for mothers to the McKenzie Patrice Croom Flint Community Water Lab, which trains youth to give back and provides free water testing. Although communities like Flint shouldn’t need to be resilient, we can learn from their empathy, advocacy and support for one another during hard times. My job is to make photographs, but a big part of the fulfillment I get is from making connections.

We closed out our event in Flint by making photographs of attendees that they could have as keepsakes. One woman, who told me she had recently been displaced from her home, said she was going to email the photos of herself to her grandchildren who live in another state. It reminded me that photographs are invaluable in many facets of our lives. They keep us connected.


Series: A Closer Look:Examining the News
More in this series

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.


Sarahbeth Maney is ProPublica’s first Diamonstein-Spielvogel Visual Journalism Fellow, focused on documenting in-depth investigative stories through photography.


Subscribe
Read our latest health and medical news
Keywords: Photojournalism, Visual Storytelling, Telling stories through pictures, More than taking pictures, Documenting history

5 Simple tips for taking great sunset photos

sunset over water
Photo: Nicole Avagliano/PEXELS

Creating breathtaking scenic photos when the sunset is easy. Use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number) to achieve a greater depth of field when shooting sunset photos. This helps make a more dramatic image where both the sky and the intricate details of the landscape are in focus.

BRANDPOINT - Golden hour is the most magical - and photogenic - time of day. Shortly before sunset, golden hour is known for warm, soft, diffused light; long, lazy shadows and an almost otherworldly glow that makes the landscape and everyone in it look their best. Professional photographers seek out this time of day because of its stunning natural lighting, and the rest of us with our smartphone cameras know it's the perfect time to snap a selfie.

Unfortunately, golden hour is also a peak time for mosquito activity. It's a little hard for you to capture the moment when you're swatting those buzzing pests. OFF!® repellents teamed up with Los Angeles-based adventure travel photographer Tiffany Nguyen to help you capture every sunset without mosquitoes, making it easier to enjoy the moment.

Here are Tiffany's best tips for getting great sunset photos.

Don't forget to check the forecast. I always like to double-check the weather forecast to make sure I'm not trekking to the perfect location just for it to start raining at the worst possible time. The Weather Channel app has always been reliable for me, plus it has everything I need in one place - weather forecast, sunset times, and now, the local mosquito forecast from OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast. Just pop in your ZIP code and you can see a seven-day forecast of mosquito activity in your area.

Don't miss the shot swatting away and dodging mosquitoes. I always apply mosquito repellent when I head outside to help ensure I'm not distracted by pests. My favorites to use are OFF!® Clean Feel insect repellents because they are fragrance-free, feel good on my skin and help keep the mosquitoes away so I can stand still long enough to capture the perfect sunset photo.


beautiful sunset
Photo: Sasha Martynov/PEXELS

Don't forget to check the lighting. Before deciding where to shoot, it's important to determine whether the lighting at a location is better for sunrise or sunset.

Don't use the wrong camera settings. When shooting in well-lit conditions, using a low ISO setting is best to prevent excess light from affecting your final image. Adjusting the ISO based on the available light will help ensure a clearer and more professional-looking result.

Don't shoot directly into the sun. If you're taking a sunset photo outdoors, you can enhance the quality of your picture by partially blocking the sun with an object or a person. This technique can help create a more balanced and evenly exposed image.


Stay off the tracks: Pedestrian-railway accidents soar 35% in the past five years

Photographer walking down the tracks in the country
Railroads are private property. People on the tracks for whatever purpose are considered trespassers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportion it "is illegal to access private railroad property anywhere other than a designated pedestrian or roadway crossing. Trespassers are most often pedestrians who walk across or along railroad tracks as a shortcut to another destination. Some trespassers are loitering; engaged in recreational activities such as jogging, taking pictures, hunting, fishing, bicycling or operating recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs)."
Photo: Redd F/Unsplash

by Mark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

There has been a 35% increase nationwide in the number of trespassing collisions on railroads.
CHICAGO - Illinois ranks third in the nation for collisions at railroad crossings, and safety experts urged pedestrians and motorists to follow some basic rules to avoid tragedy.

Data from Operation Lifesaver showed overall, the incidents are much less common than they used to be but the number in Illinois is growing.

Buck Russel, manager of public safety for Union Pacific Railroad, said since 2018, there has been a 35% increase nationwide in the number of trespassing collisions on railroads. He explained railroads are private property, so people on the tracks are considered trespassers, not pedestrians.

"It's not a place to take wedding pictures, graduation pictures, record albums," Russel stressed. "They have that nostalgia feeling, the train tracks; you know, they continue on forever into the sunset. But when you get on the train tracks, you're exhibiting those bad behaviors that our little ones are going to pick up on."

Interstate Commerce Commission statistics for 2021 indicate Illinois had 124 collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians at highway-rail crossings. Twenty-one people were killed and another 30 seriously injured. The state ranks fifth for trespassing casualties.

Illinois has more than 7,300 miles of track, with 7,500 public and almost 4,000 private rail crossings. Russel noted a recent report by the Safe Kids Worldwide campaign found a majority of parents do not realize the importance of addressing railroad safety, despite the statistics. Whether it is a railroad crossing or a collision on the tracks, he said nearly all incidents are preventable.

"Approximately every three hours, either a person or a vehicle is struck in the United States," Russel pointed out. "I know personally, when I pass it on to my family members, they're just like, 'There is just no way it can be every three hours.' And it, unfortunately, really does come down to that."

Russel said most of the collision incidents take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Last month, the Biden administration announced it has allocated more than more than $1.4 billion to improve railway safety.


Other interesting articles:


The bugs are on their way back, three ways to prepare for unwelcomed insects in your home

It is easy to believe that bugs simply disappear during the winter and colder months in the Midwest. The truth is that many bug species have evolved to survive all year long, sometimes ...

What every couple planning a wedding needs to know

Planning a wedding involves dozens of decisions made under tight deadlines, as well as agreements made with multiple vendors, including caterers, entertainers and florists.

Sign up for the Sentinel

Village Crier: January 6, 2021


Village community garage sale date set for April

With warmer weather still months away, the first date for community garage and yard sales is on the books. The St. Joseph Community Garage Sale will take place on April 8 - 10.


Billy Bob's settles case with the county

On New Year's Eve, Billy Bob's was issued a temporary restraining order by Judge Roger Webber for operating without a valid health permit. To avoid further unnecessary litigation, the Ogden eating establishment signed off on a settlement agreement with county public health agency on Tuesday to remain open for scaled back business operations.

After paying $50 reinstatement fee for their health permit and submitting to an inspection, starting Friday the restaurant under the water tower will be open for carryout service only. The establishment posted on Facebook their new hours for service will be Sunday thru Wednesday from 11a to 7p and Thursday thru Saturday from 11a-8p.

The settlement also included a provision that Billy Bob's submit a written plan detailing its plans to operate under current county ordinance and state COVID-19 mitigation restrictions.

Health authorities suspended the permit on December 11 for continuing indoor service for remaining open in defiance of the state mandated mitigation plan which forbid indoor dining. Billy Bob's continued to operate without a valid health permit before receiving court summons.

For more information on carryout service call (217) 582-2277.


St. Joseph youth baseball registration opens next week

Player registration for the St. Joseph Youth Baseball Little League opens on Saturday, January 23. Eligible players have until February 6 to sign up. A birthday chart to help determine which level a child will play can be found here.


Tolono studio photographer offers mini sessions

Give that special someone in your life a photo on Valentine's Day. Photographer Madeline Wilson is offering Valentine's Day mini sessions with families, kids, couples and/or pets in her studio located at 104 Main Street in Tolono. Sessions will begin on January 31 and run through February 14.

For more information visit Wilson's Facebook business page or call (217) 621-4159.


Tier 2 on the horizon

Earlier this week Governor J.B. Pritzker said any region below the required metrics can move into Tier 2 restrictions a week from tomorrow on January 15. That is welcomed news for athletes and restaurants in regions around the state, especially those that have done well at slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pathogen.

"We are watching closely in this incubation period post-Christmas and New Year’s. I am cautiously optimistic as there are some early signs that some regions have made real progress," Pritzker announced during an afternoon press briefing. The news comes after he extended the emergency COVID restriction Monday, requiring people to wear a mask for another 150 days.

In order for a region to move back to Tier 2 mitigations, a region must experience less than 12 percent test positivity rate for three consecutive days, have more than 20 percent available intensive care unit (ICU) hospital bed availability and have declining COVID hospitalizations in 7 of the last 10 days. The Governor's team is waiting to see if there is a surge or spike of COVID-19 cases seeded from New Year's gatherings.

Locally there have seventeen new case identified in the past 48 hours. The Sentinel area saw the lowest number of active cases in over 51 days on Tuesday with 59. The number of infections have climbed to 71 likely from New Year's Eve revelry.

As of Wednesday night, 3,921 patients in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. According state records, 783 of those patients were in the ICU and 450 patients on ventilators.


The Sentinel will help promote your business

If you own and operate a business located in Tolono, Sidney, Philo, Ogden, St. Joseph or Royal, fill out the form below to list your business or the services you offer in The Sentinel Business Directory. To list your business' contact information complete the online form here...


Send your business, social or community organization's press release or event information to The Sentinel at editor@oursentinel.com.


More Sentinel Stories



Photo Galleries


Monticello Basketball vs Seneca
January 11, 2025
30 Photos

January 11, 2025
37 Photos

January 11, 2025
31 Photos

January 4, 2025
42 Photos

December 14, 2024
39 Photos

December 7, 2024
27 Photos