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PHOTO SPREADS. Tips, tricks and tactics for effective photo layouts. by Chris Lusk, page designer, Orange County Register. Self-contained layouts that give a collection of photos the big, bold play they deserve. Photos, cutlines, a headline and a short copy block . WHAT ARE PHOTO SPREADS?.
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PHOTO SPREADS Tips, tricks and tactics for effective photo layouts by Chris Lusk, page designer, Orange County Register
Self-contained layouts that give a collection of photos the big, bold play they deserve. • Photos, cutlines, a headline and a short copy block WHAT ARE PHOTO SPREADS?
Covering a major event • Exploring a topic or trend • Profiling a personality • Telling somebody’s or something’s story • Displaying objects or places WHY A PHOTO SPREAD?
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 HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
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. GUIDELINES
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 LET’S REVIEW
GET IN CONTACT chris.m.lusk@gmail.com @chrismluskchrislusk.me/blog