Every picture tells a story, but some better than others. One of the goals of a true photographer is to tell a story with their photography.
-Too many photos, mine included, look nice but that’s it. (Hello sunset.)
-You get bonus points if your photo is interesting. (Oh, look a boat is in front of the setting sun.)
-And you rack up even more points if you follow the rules of composition. (One third of the lake is in the bottom of the frame and the rest is of the sky).
A powerful photograph is all that, but it includes one more factor. It invites you into the frame and into the story. It sucks you in. It makes you feel something. It tells a story. And when it happens, it is magic.
Not long ago I was at the car dealership in the service department. The area was separated from the showroom by a large sheet of plexiglass. You couldn’t see through it but if someone stood close to the other side you could make out an image. My granddaughter happened to be with me. I asked her to go on the other side, get close, and move around.
I whipped out my cellphone and started snapping photos. The service manager came to the desk and I shoved the phone back into my pocket. Later, I recalled taking the photos and took a close look at them. When I saw the images I felt like a story was being told. The images pulled me into the frame. I saw The Girl On The Other Side.
As you look at the tryptic I printed and framed, what comes to your mind? Who is she? What is she doing? Why is she on the other side? Does she need your help? The tight cropping suggests she is in a tight space. What can you do to help? As the viewer, you have the freedom to ask and answer those questions as you analyze the images.
I’m still learning. But my new goal is to create more images that tell a story. After all, every picture tells a story. But some tell it better than others.
Can you think of some ways to help me, and others, to tell stories with their photos? Please share your ideas!