MODULE 5

THE PERSONAL ESSAY

AND DOCUMENTARY
PHOTOGRAPHY

Prepared by
KRISTINE AILA C. DOTILLOS
ANNIE V. ORTUYO
 Travel Writer's
Responsibility to their
Subject
WHAT IS TRAVEL WRITING?
Travel writing is writing
that describes places
the author has visited
and the experiences
they had while
travelling.
 What Does a
Travel Writer Do?
As a travel writer, you write about travel
destinations for magazines, newspapers,
books, websites, and other publications
to help inform potential travelers. Travel
writers who write for magazines or
newspapers make recommendations to
readers based on short visits to different
destinations.
Responsibilities:
Write blogs, travel guides, and opinion
pieces that provide valuable
information about international travel,
culture, food, people, destination hot
spots, festivals, foreign languages, etc.
Do extensive research on target
destinations by checking other travel-
related sites, blogs, interviews, forums,
reviews, etc., before writing about them
Update destination guides and
recommendations
Plan a budget whenever you need to
travel for your writing work
Document your entire trip—flight costs,
accommodation, Exposure
experience/recommendations, local
tourist attractions, local people, events
and festivals, nightlife, markets, art, gift
items and memorabilia, expense
breakdown, etc.
Take pictures of locations, people, food,
etc., and edit them according to the given
guidelines.
Submit finished work to your editor or
publisher for reviewing based on our Modern

content calendar.
How to Become a Travel Writer?
Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications,
Creative Writing, or any other related field
At least 3 years of experience in travel writing (portfolio
necessary)
Experienced traveler
Inherent interest in other cultures, history, people, food,
hospitality industry, etc.
Attention to detail and excellent understanding of grammar,
punctuation, style, structure, and tone
Good photography and photo editing skills
Ability to develop fresh and creative story ideas from
personal travel experience and from research about places
you haven’t visited
Excellent social and communication skills
STORY TELLING; DOCUMENTARY
PHOTOGRAPHY
Telling stories through images is a
very powerful storytelling
Exposure
technique. It is a method that
transcends cultural barriers,
language barriers, and that can be
shared quickly and easily. To be Viewfinder

effective as a visual storyteller

there are several skills you should
develop:
Know The Plot: Every story has a
plot and you need to know the
specific story you are telling so that
you know where to focus your
camera. If shooting a family, think
narrowly.
Capture the Setting: Every story
takes place somewhere. Get a
wide-angle shot of where your
story is set. Including a person is
a great way to show scale. Include
details unique to your setting to
lend context.
Get to Know the Characters:
Although you are likely documenting a
story with multiple elements and
characters, be sure to get at least one
photo of each of main characters
involved.

Use Viewpoints: When telling

a story use multiple viewpoints
to show how each person in
the story you are telling is
experiencing the event(s) you
are portraying.
Move Around: As you are photographing a
story don’t use just the default position of
standing in front of your subject: move
around! Get on your subject’s level weather
that means crouching down on the floor or
standing on a step-stool. The more angles
from which you photograph your story the
more compelling you can make your final
product. Include Details: Details help a
viewer really feel as though
they are in a place. Little things,
such as the way a boy prefers
to sit or the candy placed on a
table help to make a story
complete.
Consider Black and White:
Black and white images naturally
have a documentary feel to them
and are timeless. However,
removing color from an image
also helps tell a story by removing
the distraction of color from the
image. When color is absent, it is
easier for the viewer to focus on
the main subject of the image.
This is particularly effective when
an image shows strong emotion.
REFERENCES
HTTPS://WORKELLO.COM/TRAVEL-WRITER-JOB-DESCRIPTION/
HTTPS://MANFROTTOIMAGINEMORE.COM/2016/02/15/STORYTELLING-THROUGH-
DOCUMENTARY-PHOTOGRAPHY/?
THANK
YOU