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This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations. December 16, 2003 Featuring photos – featuring athletics INTRODUCTION

For a change of pace today in feature focus we’re going to look at photos – rather special photos, in fact. All photos in a newspaper picture important current events – that is they have news value. But some of the most dramatic, as well as newsworthy pictures, are on the sports pages. That was especially true last week here in Asia as the SEA games were taking place in Vietnam. The sports pages were full of wonderful pictures of our athletes in their winning moments and their times of most intense concentration. Two ways of looking There are at least two ways you can learn from news photos. One is by focusing on the captions to see what new English words and expressions you can learn. The second way is to think about what makes a good photograph, what the photo shows about the skill of the photographer. Being aware of those skills will make you a better photographer, too. GOOD PHOTOS So, what makes a good news photograph? First, of course, it must be about an important current event, so it has newsworthiness. Let’s assume that all photos that appear in a newspaper have that – the editors have already chosen them for that quality. Here are the other qualities that editors look for: Action: Photos are most interesting if something is happening – if there is movement. Expression: Photos attract attention if they show people (or animals) displaying strong emotions. Composition: There is also “art” in good news photos. The photo editor will look at way the elements of the picture work together, their unity. This may be the way people are grouped, or lines that are formed by the elements of the picture. Timing: This is especially important in sports photos when one second too late or too early would reduce the impact of the picture. Lighting: Though not so important in sports photos, the way light and shadows mix in a photograph can make it more dramatic. Look at the pictures here. What qualities do you think were most important in the editors’ decision to choose each one? Explain what it is about the photo that made you choose that quality. You may find that some of the photos are chosen for more than one quality. GOOD LANGUAGE Here are some ways to learn from the language in the captions. What sports are named? What are the athletes in the sport called? What are the Thai equivalents? Make a list of words and phrases used about winning and losing. Which of the photos are good illustration of the concentration athletes need in order to succeed? Which illustrate different ways people celebrate? How would you describe those actions? FOLLOW-UP Look at the photos on the sports pages of today’s Bangkok Post. Choose one picture that you can talk about in conversation with friends. Why do you think it is a good photo? Is it a great photo? PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS FROM THE BANGKOK POST All photos by — SOMCHAI POOMLARD

WATER POLO Thailand's water polo team celebrate clinching the silver medal after beating the Philippines. GOLD IN SWIMMING AND DIVING Suchart makes his final dive in the springboard 3m event. GYMNASTICS Thailand's Maliwan Duangfoo in action on the balance beam during the gymnastics women's team event. ATHLETICS/TRACK Boonthung Srisung took bronze in the 10,000m. SUCCESS IN SWIMMING, ROWING Thailand's Phutharaksa Nikree (left) and Bussayamas Phaengkathok celebrate winning the gold medal in the 2,000m women's lightweight double sculls event in Hanoi. SUPER RATAPONG MAKES IT A TRIPLE Ratapong Sirisanont won two golds yesterday, in the 100m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley. A GOLDEN DAY FOR THAILAND'S HURDLERS Thailand's Trecia Robert (centre) clears a hurdle on her way to winning the women's 100m hurdles yesterday. • This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post. Read our other feature focus columns here. Return to our home page. | Comments to Maureen at maureen@bangkokpost.co.th | | © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2003 | Last modified: December 15, 2003