Creative writing using photographs

As I explained in Photojournalism (11): Creative writing through seeing, photographs (whether your own, those of others, or cut out from newspapers and magazines) can be a very effective way of teaching or learning the English language.

As a good way of learning how to write creatively, you can write descriptions, narrations, dialogue, expositions, etc. based on your thoughts and feelings about pictures that you like (or hate). Posted below are links to some available pictures, sample essays, and ideas for composition.

Picture nos. 1 to 5
Picture no. 6
Picture no. 7
Picture no. 8 “Please Hear What I’m Not Saying”
Picture no. 9 “Youth is not a time of life”
Picture no. 10 “Desiderata”
Picture no. 11 (series) Thoughts on graduation day
Picture no. 12 (light and shadows)
Picture no. 13 (series): The joys of high school
Picture no. 14: “Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset ...”
Picture no. 15: Footprints in the corridor
Picture no. 16: The toys and joys of childhood
Picture no. 17: Serendipity
Picture no. 18 (series): Clouds and nostalgia

Related discussions:

“Photographs as Creative Writing Prompts”

“A Year of Picture Prompts: Over 160 Images to Inspire Writing” (The New York Times)

“Inspire Thoughtful Creative Writing Through Art” (Edutopia)

“Winter Scene Writing Prompts”

Photos from Smashing Magazine that can inspire your creative writing:

Beautiful Black and White Photography

60 Beautiful Examples of Night Photography

Smoke Photography and Smoke Art

45 Beautiful Motion Blur Photos

40 Incredible Near-Infrared Photos

Celebration of High-Speed Photography

50 Beautiful Examples of Tilt-Shift Photography

25 Beautiful Macro Photography Shots

35 Fantastic HDR Pictures

Free seminars:

1. “English Proficiency Course” (4 hours; for college students, K-to-12 teachers, other groups)

2. “Clear, concise, and effective English for legal writing” (5 hours; for Student Councils, academic organizations, fraternities, sororities, NGOs, any interested group)

Seminars are for Metro Manila only. For more information or to schedule a seminar, please contact Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 0927-798-3138.

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