#20 tell a story with photos

Creating a narrative or telling a story through photos has become one of my favorite ways to get really creative with the photography process. Whether I am trying to capture a family moment or am taking photos for my business or just finding inspiration out and about- I am always trying to find interesting  angles and be aware of composition- with the hope of capturing an image that tells a story. Light, composition, perspective, color, texture and pattern can come into play when trying to create a narrative. 

 

I've been making art and taking photos for so long that telling a "visual story" seems to come natural to me and it is a big part of my intuition as an artist. While it does take time hone this "story telling skill" it is pretty easy to begin!

 

 

Take the photo above for example. Last summer I picked lots of fresh blackberries that we ate with everything. I was enjoying a big bowl of ice cream topped with berries when Lucy, snuck up below me and was eyeing my ice cream. At the time she wasn't thrilled about eating solid food so this moment of curiosity wasn't just cute but also an important milestone because she wanted to try what I was eating.

 

This was the moment when I knew I had a great "visual story" that would make a wonderful photo! So I grabbed my iphone and snapped a serious of photos.

 

I knew that taking a close up photo of my ice cream (low angle) with Lucy a little blurry in the distance perfectly captured my view. The moment,together with the angle and composition created a narrative of this yummy bowl of ice cream and beautiful berries being so enticing that Lucy couldn't help but beg for a bite.

 

This entire process (identifying the moment, picking an angle and snapping my photo with my iphone) look less than a couple of minutes.

 

 

TIPS:

 

Before taking a photo start by asking yourself "what kind of narrative do I want to create?" or "what it the story I want to tell?" 

 

Take into consideration the emotion that you want people to have when they look at your photo.

 

 

 

 

Start building your narrative by identifying subject matter, or action (or show something that is happening). Think of it like a story with a beginning, middle and end.

 

 

 

Try to play with different angles, light, composition and perspective to capture your narrative in interesting and compelling ways.

 

 

Keep in mind that a narrative doesn't always have to involve people- objects, color, pattern, a place and landscape can also serve as your subject matter.

 

 

There are all kinds of ways to plan and over think how to tell a story or create a dynamic narrative in your photos. But I think nothing makes a more dynamic visual than capturing the everyday moments (big and small) within your life. And it doesn't take a lot to do this. It simply takes opening your eyes and being aware of the things that are happening around you. 

 

TIPS:

 

 USE EVERYDAY THINGS (AND PEOPLE) AS YOUR SUBJECT MATTER.

I loved taking photos before I became a mom but since Lucy arrived my photography, my creativity and my attention to the everyday things has been elevated. Being a work from home mom has definitely had its challenges but its has also become the most important place that I am able to find inspiration. Even if I have a work day spent on the computer (with no making art) I know that I will be able to get creative with the photos that I take of my family and the moments that we share. 

 

You don't need to be a mom of feel the same way about your own family but I would like to encourage you to start paying attention to the everyday moments in your life and start thinking of them as little stories to tell through photos.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO TAKE A HANDFUL OF PHOTOS EACH DAY

 

The only way to get better at taking photos and to hone your eye is to practice. And practicing in your daily life is one of the easiest ways get better at learning how to create a narrative within your photos. 

 

Try creating a realistic daily challenge for yourself. Take 1-10 photos per day of the things going on in your home or a part of your routine.

 

With each photo you take, try to tell a story about YOU and your life.

 

IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED

Capture your family and the routine and things that you do together- play time, meals, cooking, cleaning, bath time, bed time, walks, anything outdoors.

 

Capture the people you encounter throughout your day- family members, friends, work colleagues, etc.

 

Capture your routine- getting ready in the morning, commute to work, work place, chores around the house, yard work, exercising, cooking, cleaning, entertaining, etc.

 

 

 

Comments

[Tamara Hallock]

Your site is asking me for a login and password. I had this window still open since a few days ago...

[Tamara Hallock]

oops, my mistake. I wasn't going to the Blogspot site. Disregard my other comment. -Tamara

[Branka]

I cannot tell how grateful I am for your generous attitude to share your creative ideas and skills! And it's all for free! Many of us are coming from different places in the world where one cannot afford to pay for things that are, unfortunately, considered as "luxury". Thanks God that P interest exists and people like you.
Thank you,
Branka