This lesson examines the significance of illustrations i.e., (padangal) in newspapers and magazines. Illustrations account for the visual appeal of newspapers and magazines. They are used to attract the attention of the reader. It is believed that the art of publishing photographs and pictures in journals began in 1841.

Illustrations in newspapers and magazines can be broadly classified as photographs i.e., (pugaippadangal) and pictures i.e., (varaipadangal). Photographs strengthen the impact of a news story and are used to arouse the reader’s interest. Journals make use of a wide range of photographs such as news event photos, portrait pictures, cheese-cake shots, action shots, pattern shots and product shots. With the growth of technology, photojournalism has emerged as area of specialization skill. A good photojournalist possesses creativity, presence of mind, and skill in handling the photo equipments. Photographs come under the scrutiny of the editor before being published. The terms ‘crop’ or ‘trim’ denote the process of editing photographs. Writing captions for photographs is an art. ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India’ is noted for its photographs.

Paintings, sketches, drawings and cartoons constitute the pictures in journals. While cartoons appear in both newspapers and magazines, paintings and drawings are used only in magazines. Cartoons i.e., (karuthuppadangal) occupy a special place in newspapers and magazines. Cartoons are drawings with a humorous intent. They satirize or parody contemporary social and political issues. In Tamilnadu, cartoons first appeared in Barathiyar’s newsletter ‘India’. Humour, creativity and wit are inportant in cartooning. Cartoons are generally classified as editorial cartoons, political cartoons, box cartoons and caricatures.

Paintings and drawings are used in magazines to illutrate stories, poems or biographies. ‘Sittridazhgal’ often publish paintings that are categorized as modern art. Illustrations for stories and novels that are serialized in magazines often include portraits of the chief characters. This help in establishing a character in the minds of the readers.