For example, in writing about a sand dune, an essay might include the definition of a dune, an account of where dunes exist in the world, and information about the specific dunes in the photograph. One might also research the ecological community, the kinds of animals and plants that live among the dunes. In addition, the essay could include an assessment of the human impact on the landscape. Wind Sculpture of Damp Sand, Dune Park, Indiana, November 27, 1915. Creative Writing Henry Chandler Cowles and Students on a University of Chicago Department of Botany Field Trip.
Photographs provide an engaging starting point for a variety of creative writing projects.
Take on the role of a student in an ecology field class held in one of these locales, such as the Everglades or Mt. Rainier. Search on the site name to find images of the location. Then, search on student to see pictures of the people on these trips. Write a journal of experiences one might have had as a student on this field trip, or write a letter to a friend or relative at home. Alternatively, write about the people and places in these photographs from a third-person perspective in a short story.