Storytelling and Narrative in Photos
Storytelling is something you likely hear photographers talk about. For so long, I did not understand what that meant. Images I created in my 20 years in photography had to adhere to certain parameters! Very technical and no room for creativity.
What is storytelling in photography?
An example we are all familiar with is the selfie photo at a destination where you want to share where you are. The intention is to communicate where you are. Instinctively, you will likely position yourself off to the side of the frame to include the background. This is a compositional technique referred to as Off-Centre or The Rule of Thirds.
Combining this compositional rule with what you are wearing, your expression and what you include beside you in the background communicates a story.
A snapshot photo taken at a child's party or wedding is photographic storytelling. The smartphone eliminates barriers to entry for everyone to add to the stories being told every day.
A story in a photo is something we can connect with and relate to. Ideally, the photo includes an implied narrative. The visual clues for context could be the inclusion of physical elements or even late afternoon sunlight hitting objects in the scene. The photographer does not need to provide all the elements of a story. We are very adept at filling in the blanks with our own experiences and imagination.
The narrative in the photo is not only the inclusion of elements, it is how they interact with each other. An example of this is a person in the scene looking at something. This implied line of sight directs our attention to see what they are looking at.
A pollen-covered bee inside a flower tells a story. A person driving along a waterfront with the window down provides a narrative.
Fascination factor
Not all photographs need to tell a story. To remain an attention-grabbing, engaging photo, it needs to have a fascination factor. The uniqueness could be the capture angle and perspective, or a subject presented in a less common way.
Flower photography is difficult. There are so many perfect specimen photos captured in beautiful ways. Finding something unique about the flower that makes it dissimilar could provide that fascination factor.
Photojournalism storytelling
A photo for journalism requires pre-planning to identify the narrative. The photo needs to provide the absolute, complete story, providing all the required elements, leaving no unnecessary room for imagination.
Storytelling in every genre
My favourite smartphone photography genres are landscape and long exposures. I was often wondering how to tell a story when it is just scenery. You, too, maybe thinking this storytelling concept does not apply to you either.... but it does, in every photo.
As an enthusiast smartphone photographer, you can create insinuated stories. These are photos that provide glimpses and visual cues that are open to interpretation by the viewer. A compelling photo will elicit involvement from the viewer to complete the story, filling in the blanks from their own experiences, culture and biases. The missing pieces can create a sense of mystery, tension or drama in the photo.
Narrative
Unlike video, in photography, we need to provide a narrative. Similar to writing, this can include characters, settings, subplots, drama and tension. Storytelling does not need to be dramatic and completely intentional or have layers of complexity, including contextual subjects in the scene. It can be as simple as asking the question of what is happening in this photo.
The one consistent element in storytelling is the moment it is captured. Imagine the paused moment (photo) of a person walking along a waterfront. It already has us attempting to fill in the gaps of who they are, where they have been or where they are going? What are they wearing? What is the weather like?
In a nutshell, the narrative is the open question you have asked the viewer to answer using their own experiences and imagination.
Remember, the viewer can also be yourself in years to come, enjoying your own photos of travel and loved ones. A clear story helps for instant recollection and further enjoyment.
More articles:
Mastering the Art of Visual Tension in Smartphone Photography
Change Viewpoint & Perspective to Instantly Improve Your Photos
30 Tips to Create Stunning Silhouette Photos on Your Smartphone
Add Energy To Photos Using the Dutch Angle Composition Technique
Capture A Subject 9 Different Ways To Discover Your Creativity
Use the Snapseed Expand Tool to Add Extra Space in Your Image to Crop
The Rule of Thirds – Grid Lines on Your Smartphone Explained
Street Art Photography Tips for your iPhone and Android Smartphone
