The Photograph That Changed Everything
Draft a piece that narrates the life of a fictional photographer who revolutionized the world of photography with a single, iconic shot. Explore the backstory, the circumstances leading to the moment the photo was taken, and the aftermath.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
- End with something the reader can do or think about today.
- State your main point in one sentence before you start.
Writing essays
A mind at work, one subject at a time.
An essay collection gathers short nonfiction pieces: personal, critical, funny or all three. What ties them together is the writer's voice and way of seeing.
What readers expect
- A distinctive voice
- Personal stakes
- Surprising connections
- Pieces that stand alone
A tip before you start
Follow a question, not a thesis. The pleasure of an essay is watching someone think.
More Art, Architecture and Photography prompts
- Art in the Public SquareChoose a controversial piece of public art that sparked significant debate or backlash. Discuss the artwork in detail, including the artist's intent…
- Forgotten PhotographersResearch and compose a piece on a lesser-known photographer whose work has impacted the evolution of photography. Explore their style, the themes they…
- Making the Perfect PhotographDocument the process of creating a photograph that you consider your best work. Describe everything from the planning stages, the technical settings…
- A Street Through the LensCompose a photographic essay on a day in the life of a street in your town or city. Accompany your photos with captions that capture not just actions…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.