How
to Work With a Photo Illustrator
By Ann
M. Throckmorton, M.A., Senior Technical Writer and Photo Illustrator
Photos by
Ann M. Throckmorton
Photo 1.
I photographed the construction of this tower grain dryer (five story,
sheet metal) in southern Illinois.
Photo 2.
Did I mention that a tornado struck our work site (same tower grain dryer
as photo 1)? True.
Photo 3.
Tighten setscrews on metering drum bearing.
Photo 4.
Bring two opposing tower roof sheets to the tower roof center collar.
A photo illustrator
is one who documents a product or procedure with photographs. This involves
taking the photos and organizing them in a way that is easy for the target
audience to understand. Both
mechanical and electrical assembly can be photo illustrated. The documentation
may be a step-by-step photo sequence with a photo for each discrete step.
Or it may be a summary photo, for example, of all the components laid
out in the order in which they will be assembled. Photo
illustration can substantially clarify the text and do it in an economical
way. There
is truth to the saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Photograph illustration conveys precise detail visually. It allows the
user to identify parts at a glance and to more easily use the product
or procedure.
When I was
a senior technical writer/photo illustrator for GSI Grain Systems, it
was my job to create new construction manuals ("Assembly of Portable
Grain Dryers," "Installation of Tower Grain Dryers," and
"Installation of Electrical to Tower Grain Dryers") for domestic
and international distribution. In writing each 200-plus-page book, I
worked with engineers, electricians, factory stewards, and construction-site
crew leaders. I
especially remember two long, hot weeks on-site at a grain elevator in
a corn field in southern Illinois where I photographed the construction
of a five-story tower grain dryer. The subsequent book took me five months
to write. The step-by-step photos I had taken provided the outline for
the book.
Tips for Maximizing Photo Illustration
The best
way to work with a photo illustrator is to be one yourself, but if you
aren't or don't have time to be, here are some tips for maximizing the
process of photo illustration.
Tip 1. Let the photo illustrator do what the photo illustrator needs to do. Seriously, the photo illustrator needs a certain amount of creative leeway in order to capture the information. Let the photo illustrator tell you what is needed for lighting, arrangement of parts, and background. Creative technical writing is not an oxymoron, and neither is creative photo illustration. If the photo illustrator says that a tangle of scrap wires lying under the part to be photographed will confuse the image, believe the photo illustrator and remove the wires.
Tip 2.
This tip goes hand in hand with Tip 1. The photo illustrator will
need management's whole-hearted support. The photo illustrator works with
SMEs, such as engineers and technicians, to compose and take photographs.
This is the best way to obtain authoritative source information. These
highly skilled folks, who are sometimes very possessive of their knowledge,
will need to be won over to the idea of photographing their work. The
best chance for success is when upper management is 100-percent behind
the photo illustration project. Management should introduce the photo
illustrator to the SMEs with whatever admonishment to cooperate is necessary.
Tip 3.
In a research and design context, all steps in the sequence may not be—to
put it delicately—may not be fully developed. In the case of an unfinished
product that management wants documented, I highly recommend honest, open
dialog with the photo illustrator. The photo illustrator is not a quality
control agent and will not be making a status report on the product. There
are ways to photograph around problem areas, but the photo illustrator
needs to know where they are. For example, if the correct-size grommet
is not available on the day of the photo shoot, let the photo illustrator
know. Maybe the photo can be taken from an angle that shows the grommet
assembly but not the gaps the correct-size grommet would seal.
Tip 4.
This is a corollary to Tip 3. Do not lie to the photo illustrator. It
is bad karma. And, remember, the photo will not lie. Speaking of karma,
if the photo illustrator is pleasant to work with, takes good photos,
and provides useful documentation, say so. Thank the photo illustrator,
and be sure to commend the photo illustrator to management. Your colleague,
the photo illustrator, will do the same for you.
Tip 5.
SMEs who are demonstrating how widgets fit together should groom well
before the photo shoot. I've done so many pixel-by-pixel manicures in
Photoshop, I should charge extra. On the bright side, scratches, bruises,
and tattoos can also be readily digitized into oblivion. Stand up straight;
you represent the company!
Tip 6. Everyone appearing in the photos should keep in mind that the expression on their face is one that may very well travel around the world. Photo illustration is used extensively in manuals intended for international use; photos are essential when readers are speaking and reading different languages. So smile.
