Ever wonder how to tell a story with your images? Here is an excerpt from the Celebrate Your Life in Beautiful Images (Part 2) course material to whet your appetite.
Let’s look at a slice of lemon meringue pie that I ate outside in a small cafe. It was summertime and I was sitting under a tree eating my lunch. For dessert I ordered what turned out to be a lovely lemon meringue pie, garnished with a single nasturtium — a lovely bright orange flower that can be eaten. Only it was too pretty for me to eat…so I photographed it, instead.
These images were not styled. The fork landed on my plate the way it’s shown. The light was filtering through the leaves the way the image is shown. All I did was notice the beauty and capture it.
BEFORE…AND AFTER
This is probably the simplest way to show a story arc. Two shots with one showing “before” and the other, “after”. Each image can stand alone, but together, they tell a story.
WHAT CHANGED BETWEEN SHOTS?
Do you see how almost everything is the same? All that’s missing in Shot #2 is one thing (the cake). That’s one way to build continuity in your story.
The CAMERA ANGLE is the same.
The FRAMING is the same.
The DEPTH OF FIELD (DOF) is the same.
The BACKGROUND is the same.
The LIGHTING is the same.
Did you notice there were no hands in either of those shots? Okay, then how did I tell the story?
Answer: By using implied action. I showed the same subject both “before” and “after”. The action is implied, but remember that I needed TWO images to show the action. One image was not enough.
When viewed alone, does each image tell the SAME story as when shown together? Let’s find out…
STORY “A”
When you see a piece of pie with a fork, what story does that imply? What thoughts passed through your head when you looked at that image?
I want to eat that piece of pie.
Drats, I can’t eat pie.
It looks pretty…but I don’t like pie.
I like that flower though.
I should buy myself some pretty flowers.
WHAT ABOUT STORY “B”?
When you see an image of a flower on a plate next to a fork, with no food, what story does that tell? What thoughts passed through your head when you looked at the second image, by itself?
Nice flower. But…um…why is there a used fork next to it?
I wonder if that flower is edible.
Pretty picture.
Did any thoughts of PIE pass your mind when you just look at that image by itself, without having seen the first image? Probably not.
CONTEXT
Each image adds context. Did you see how the story changed, based on adding another image?
SIGN UP NOW FOR THESE CLASSES TO LEARN STORYTELLING
Celebrate Your Life in Beautiful Images Part 1
Celebrate Your Life in Beautiful Images Part 2
No post processing skills necessary to take these courses. You may even use your phone!
“Celebrate Your Life in Beautiful Images Part 1” gets you started photographing how you want your life to look and what you want more of in your life.
Part 2 takes you further by focusing on capturing the essence of your loved ones — think about the little things that you’ll always remember, such as how they hold their favorite coffee mug in their hands!
Other BPSOP storytelling courses taught by Brit Hammer
Amazing Travel Photos Made Easy
Learn how to capture these experiences:
- landscapes
- seascapes
- cities & architecture
- wine & dining experiences
- nature
- wildlife
Get a taste of how Brit will work with you:
You can also work with Brit privately
Mentoring: Schedule a live session with Brit via Skype
Get a private image video review: Private Video Image Reviews
Find out about all of Brit’s courses, including Photographing Fine Art & Craft
