While it is generally not reporters' policy to show you a copy of an article before it's printed, offering further help is another matter. Reach Steve Cain by email. Creativity can be technical, or it can be the product of an active imagination. When it comes to evaluating a photograph, I check to see if the photographer has taken a different look at the subject matter. If it's a photo of a person, I check to see if the photographer has captured the essence of the person.
Props can also enhance a photo.
If the subject is a specialist in his or her field, including an item that reflects the person's expertise somewhere within the frame of the image is a good idea. People making videos have music, camera movement, sound effects, graphics, animation, and editing at their disposal. Simply pointing a camcorder and telling someone to talk isn't creative. Some of the same things I discussed above work for video. Using interesting camera angles, moving the camera with the use of a wheeled device like a grocery cart, or selecting interesting locations can greatly enhance the look of a video.