photo spreads tips, tricks and tactics for effective photo layouts by chris lusk, page designer,...
TRANSCRIPT
PHOTO SPREADS
Tips, tricks and tactics for effective photo layouts
by Chris Lusk, page designer, Orange County Register
WHAT ARE PHOTO SPREADS?
Self-contained layouts that give a collection
of photos the big, bold play they deserve.
Photos, cutlines, a headline and a short copy block
WHY A PHOTO SPREAD?
Covering a major event
Exploring a topic or trend
Profiling a personality
Telling somebody’s or something’s story
Displaying objects or places
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
They bend — and sometimes break — the rules
Unconventional widths for cutlines and text
Typically only include short text blurbs
Let the visuals do the storytelling
GUIDELINES
Learn about the story. You can’t begin
until you learn about and understand the story.
Shake things up. Use different shapes and sizes.
Strength through harmony. The photos should
work together to paint an overall image of the story.
GUIDELINES
Content must dictate design. This is always the
case, and it remains the rule in photo spreads, too.
Dominance. Take the strongest visual and
play it big. Build your layout around that picture.
Use a grid. Don’t randomly place things on page.
GUIDELINES
Proper positioning. Place the pictures
somewhere in the layout that makes sense.
Hit the sweet spot with the copy block. Don’t run
too much text — or too little.
Don’t forget the cutlines. Help readers identify
the photos with clear, easy-to-spot cutlines.
GUIDELINES
And put the cutlines in the correct spot.
Make sure to anchor cutlines near the photos they describe.
Ragged type? Run the ragged edge away from the photo.
Push cutlines to the outside.
Credit where credit’s due. Don’t forget photo credits.
Embrace the space. White space is your friend. Love it.
LET’S REVIEW
Learn about the story
Shake things up
Harmony
Content dictates design
Dominance
Use a grid
Proper positioning
Just enough text
Don’t forget cutlines
But put ’em in correctly
Always credit the photos
Let your design breathe
