of picture stories, but the two most often used are the Illustrated  Text  and  the  Picture-Text  Combination. With the  Illustrated Text, emphasis is placed on the text with photographs used to support the words. In the  Picture-Text  Combination,  the  story  is  told primarily through pictures and the words support the pictures. Planning is essential in the production of a picture story.  You  should  plan  your  photographic  coverage so the finished story shows the professional news touch. When you want this quality in your picture story,   coverage   techniques   should   include   the following: researching the subject and establishing a good  relationship;  selecting  equipment  (camera, lens(s), lighting, film) that is best suited for the job; anticipating  the  improbable  and  having  an  alternate plan  available;  keeping  your  pictures  from  looking posed; moving in on the subject and making your pictures show the desired action; using a shooting script; having self-confidence; ensuring complete coverage  by  shooting  both  left-  and  right-facing photographs, long shots, medium shots, and close-ups, as well as both vertical and horizontal views. Picture stories do not appear in print by accident. They are the  result  of  careful  planning,  thorough  research,  and execution.  The  development  of  a  picture  story  is carried out in six well-defined steps as follows: 1.   DEVELOPING   THE   IDEA.   All   picture stories begin with an idea. Whenever you cannot find picture-story material, you are admitting that you are not  very  alert,  observant,  or  curious.  Wherever  you go, there are more story ideas than you could possibly find the time to do. You can get ideas for picture stories   by   subjecting   yourself   to   stimulating experiences,  talking  to  other  people,  and  observing situations- both your own and those related to you by others. 2.   RESEARCHING   THE   SUBJECT.   After developing an idea for a picture story, you are ready to research the subject. Research is one of the most important parts of doing a picture story. Before you start shooting, you need to learn as much as possible about the place, situation, object, and people involved. The more complicated the story, the more research you  need  to  perform.  No  matter  what  form  the research   takes,   remember   one   very   important thing-YOU   CANNOT   PERFORM   ALL   YOUR RESEARCH SITTING AT A DESK. You must leave the shop, talk to people, see the subject. While no two  people  perform  research  in  exactly  the  same manner,  the  following  guidelines  are  recommended: a. Contact the person in charge of whatever or  whomever  you  intend  to  do  the  story  on,  and explain your story idea. b. Obtain the name and phone number, work schedule, and background information on each person involved in your story. c.  Observe  the  operation  without  interfering and make notes on picture possibilities. d. Stay with the subject(s) until you are fully satisfied that you can anticipate their next move or work step; watch the subject(s) for facial expressions, gestures, and observe them during coffee breaks, and so on. e. Anticipate a sudden departure from the usual and be prepared to cope with it. f.  Conduct  interviews  with  the  subject(s), their  peers,  subordinates,  and  seniors.  Whenever possible, shoot the photographs at one session and conduct the interview at another. 3.   PLANNING   THE   TREATMENT.   The "treatment"  is  an  arrangement  of  facts  you  have collected;  this  includes  the  type  of  pictures  you require to convey the theme or purpose you have in mind  adequately.  Plan  your  pictorial  coverage. Decide what elements of the story should be presented verbally,  and  what  elements  should  be  presented visually. Because each picture story is somewhat different, you   cannot   follow   the   same   pattern   for   each assignment. There are, however, certain planning criteria upon which all picture stories are based. The planning criteria is as follows: a .   INTEREST.   The   readers   must   gain something from the story or they are not going to read it. b.   PICTURE IMPACT. It must appeal to the  eye,  create  curiosity,  and  hold  the  viewer’s attention. c.   SCOPE.  The  picture  story  of  a  ship  is possible but difficult; a department within the ship is a little less difficult; a division within the department is even less difficult; one person within the division is comparatively  simple.  By  narrowing  the  scope  and 1-11