Use photographs as evidence
Give the viewer context for every image.
Prepare
Record the subject, date, creator, and source for important photographs. Distinguish an image of the actual event from a representative image. A modern street photograph should not silently stand in for a historical event at the same location.
Work through the decision
Choose the crop after checking the full image. Keep relevant details visible and avoid cropping away context that changes the meaning. If a source caption qualifies the image, preserve that qualification in your editorial notes or narration.
Review the result
Preview the scene long enough to read its labels. When no suitable image is available, show the missing-material state or choose an explicitly illustrative treatment. Do not fill a gap with a convincing but incorrect photograph.