Storytelling is as old as humanity, we all like a good story, be it a book, a movie, or a photograph. The best ones have something extra, something that makes us feel something, moves us emotionally and leaves a lasting impression. And if the story is really good we will share it with whoever we can, that's how stories go viral.
That's the secret behind iconic photographs: they tell a powerful story. Think about those famous pictures you've seen from the past. They might not be perfectly composed or lit, even a little blurred, but most of them have one thing in common - a strong story. What makes a story more powerful than just a pretty picture? It's the emotional connection.
Let's explore a few tips that will help you improve your storytelling skills:
CAPTURE MOMENTS
In order to understand what is storytelling, let's first understand what is a photograph. A photograph is a moment, you are looking at the world with your eyes and at a certain moment something catches you, something makes you press that shutter button and make that particular moment an eternity.
Unless you specialize in still life, landscape, or product photography, your work will mostly revolve around capturing moments. Even in those genres, when working with natural light, the ever-changing light creates different looks and atmospheres, emphasizing the importance of the moment.
If you take on portraiture, it is based on moments as well. A person's posture, gestures, facial expression, and eyes each tell a story, and between one blink of the eye to another, you are getting a completely different person and feeling.
THE POWER OF MOMENT IN PORTRAITURE
These 3 photographs are all taken during 5 seconds. See how a few seconds' difference between the shots resulted in a completely different photograph? They all tell a different story.
Do you think that facial expression would stay forever? In a few seconds it will be different, and with it the story will also change.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT MOMENT
It is not in vain that there is an obsession with the decisive moment, because there is really a special moment hidden between ordinary ones. Between a few regular moments, you have the chance to capture the one that tells your story in the most powerful way, with better visual appeal and emotional impact.
It's tempting to switch your camera to high-speed burst mode and capture everything in sight, but that's not the key. The magic lies in observing the everyday and recognizing the potential for a special moment within it. And trust me, you don't want to go through 200 images of the same scene, it simply feels like a waste of time when you are behind the computer.
Everyone is lucky from time to time, but being a good photographer is learning to see and anticipate the moment that is about to happen. It is about consistency, not quantity. You can shoot 2-3 frames a second to not miss a moment in a fast-moving scene. But seriously, don't overuse the series shooting function; if you work in such a way, you will never learn to observe and anticipate.
This shot wasn't planned. I was simply in the moment, camera at the ready, when a scene unfolded before my eyes. Suddenly, everything clicked. Three monks, their robes a vibrant contrast, stood in perfect symmetry. It was a magical moment, a gift from the universe captured in a single frame.
PRACTICE OBSERVATION
You don't actually need a camera to develop your observation skills. During your day outside, instead of sitting on your phone, or being in your thoughts, just observe the world around you. People are interesting creatures and they generate stories all the time; whenever there are people, there is a story.
Stories are happening all the time, you just don't pay attention to them. And here is an interesting thing: your personality will reflect on the stories you notice. I'm working with other photographers often, and what I see is that everyone is paying attention to different things. Usually the things he notices are wired to his character and what is important to him.
One will look at the colors and find interesting color combinations, another one will be obsessed with the play of light, the third one will focus on human interaction, the fourth will notice a parent expressing his love for a child, the fifth one will look at funny happenings, and this list is endless.
What I'm trying to say is that you will see stories that reflect your personality, but that can be changed as well. You just choose a certain subject that you want to observe and focus on that, and suddenly you will see a lot of stories on that particular subject you have chosen to observe.
INCLUDE CONTEXT IN YOUR STORIES
I often ask my students a very simple question: "What is the photograph about?" And very often I hear answers like "Well, you know, these are two people outside, I thought it was a nice story." Sorry guys, but two people on the street is not really storytelling. A story without context is very weak. You must have something more than just two people; try to see what connects these two and tell that story.
So what adds context to a photograph?
- Environmental details: Including the surrounding environment in your photograph gives a sense of place. This could be architectural features, landmarks, street shops, or other elements that describe the location. Environmental details can provide a visual context and set the stage for the story you want to tell.
- Interactions and relationships: Capture interactions between people or subjects to provide context about their relationships or the dynamics of the scene. This could include gestures, expressions, or physical connections that reveal the nature of their interaction.
- Cultural or societal clues: Consider incorporating elements that represent the culture, traditions, or social context of the subject or scene. This can provide a deeper understanding of the story and its significance within a particular cultural or societal context.
- Action: Action can evoke strong emotions and create a sense of intensity within a photograph. Whether it's a passionate embrace, a triumphant jump, or a dynamic movement, action can communicate feelings and engage viewers on a deeper level.
- Weather: When considering the weather in your storytelling photography, think about how it contributes to the overall mood, atmosphere, and context of the scene. Embrace the opportunities presented by different weather conditions to enhance your narrative. For example, monsoon, snowfall, or a sunny day will add different context to your story.
These are just a few of the things that came into my mind, I'm sure there are more.
GET THE CAMERA OUT OF YOUR HEAD
One of the reasons why photographers suck at storytelling is because they are too deep in their technicality; they think that they can engineer their way into a story. Well, while it's good to know your camera and be aware of the latest technology, it has very little to do with storytelling.
In order to get better with storytelling, you will need to get better at seeing moments. Forget about the technical details, get the camera out of your head, and focus on what is in front of your eyes.
Get the camera out of your head, use your eyes, your heart, and your empathy. Just tell the story of what is in front of you in the unique way that only you are able to see it.
THINGS LOOK DIFFERENT FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE
The world transforms with each shift in perspective. Just like a story unfolds differently depending on who's telling it, your photographs can take on new life with a change of lens or shooting angle.
In this photo, a story told from eye level or with a telephoto lens would be completely different. By crouching low and using a wider aperture, I was able to capture all the elements that make this story unique and impactful for the viewer.
As a photographer, you have the power to shape the story through perspective. Move around your subject, try different angles - crouching low, standing high. Each new vantage point unlocks a fresh look. The direction of light, the background elements, and how your subject is positioned and illuminated will all transform with each shift. Experimentation is key to finding the angle that best captures the emotions and message you want to convey.
KNOW WHEN TO GO WIDE AND WHEN TO GO TIGHT
Knowing which focal length to use while storytelling is critical for a photographer. Telephoto and wide lenses give completely different feelings, and you need to make a decision which one to use, and which one will help you to tell the story better.
The main difference between the two is that with a telephoto lens, you are more of an observer, while a wide one brings you closer to the action and makes you a participant.
This is felt in the photographs: that zoom distance matters, it has a feeling. The more you zoom in, the further you are emotionally from the scene, and that is felt in the photograph. The benefit is that you can show scale, you can isolate parts of an event and tell parts of the story, you can even focus on details that will be difficult to reach with a short lens.
The long lens allowed me to focus on that little detail and tell a story. I have an article about the impact of lens choice and wide or tight framing on the scene.
For me personally, there is nothing like taking a wide lens and having multiple elements together and simply having much more of the story. But wide lenses are trickier and harder to use, especially if you are accustomed to using a telephoto. A wide lens has less depth of field, it is harder to hide the mess behind your subject, and that forces you to think about how to organize the elements in the frame in such a way that they all point to the story.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you that to tell a story you need to work with a wide lens only. You can do storytelling with a telephoto just fine, just that sense of being a participant in the scene resonates with people much stronger. That is perhaps the reason that most documentary photographers are working with 50mm lenses and below.
This image has been shot with a 135mm telephoto lens; sometimes you simply can't get close enough to the subject. By using a telephoto lens I was able to get myself closer to the story and capture such images.
Here, for instance, the image was shot at 35mm, wide enough to include my Hero and his environment. If I had chosen to photograph it with a telephoto lens, it would most likely result in losing a lot of the environmental part, which gives so much extra context.
LIGHT AND COLOR ROLE IN STORYTELLING
Light and color both set the mood, creating a specific atmosphere that complements your story. Soft, diffused light evokes a sense of gentleness, while harsh light can inject drama and tension. Similarly, you can work with different variations of colors to affect the mood of your work.
But light can be more than just a mood setter. For many photographers, it's the very source of the story. Look at the works of Gueorgui Pinkhassov; his work was strongly influenced by both light and color. The way light interacts with a scene, how it highlights details or creates shadows, can be incredibly captivating.
Mastering the language of light. By understanding how your camera captures light, you can unlock a whole new level of storytelling potential. Mastering exposure, working with natural light, and experimenting with artificial light sources empowers you to create emotional photographs that will affect your viewer emotionally.
WORK ON YOUR COMPOSITION SKILLS
I know that at the beginning of the article I said that the moment is more important, but consistently working on and improving your composition skills will certainly benefit your storytelling. It will make you capture these stories with more visual and aesthetic appeal.
Many times when I see a story, I will take a few shots and then look at how I can improve it, and what else I could add to my framing that will make it stronger. So learn about sub-framing, lines, and geometry. Understand who is the hero in your photograph and how to make him look important.
These are all crucial parts that you need to practice up to a level that you read the scene and subconsciously find the right angle. That comes with a lot of practical experience. Merely reading about it is not enough, you need to go out there and practice.
PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE: YOUR DAILY DOSE OF STORYTELLING
Understanding the elements of storytelling is a fantastic first step. But to truly master this art form, you need to put your knowledge into practice. Here's a simple tip: dedicate some time each day, even if it's just a few minutes, to actively seek out and capture stories with your camera, or even your eyes only.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Moment hunter: Look outside and look for fleeting moments that tell a story. It could be a child's laughter, a couple holding hands, or even a lone jogger at dusk.
- Light experimentation: Choose an object or scene and play with different lighting conditions. How does harsh light change the story compared to soft light? I love taking public transport, my favorite are buses. I'd sit and watch how, with every turn of the bus, the light inside changes and illuminates it and the people inside from different angles.
- Perspective play: Get down low, climb a step stool, or simply shift your angle. See how a different perspective changes the narrative.
- The everyday narrative: Don't underestimate the power of the ordinary. Look for stories within your daily routine - a cup of coffee steaming on a table, laundry in the wind, a worn pair of shoes by the door, or a child's drawing left on the fridge.
By consistently practicing these techniques, you'll train your eye to see the world like a storyteller. You'll develop a deeper understanding of how light, composition, and moment all contribute to a powerful narrative. Most importantly, you'll have more fun photographing in a way that not only captures a scene but also evokes emotions and leaves a lasting impression.
Remember, the best way to learn is by doing. Grab your camera, head out into the world, and start telling your stories.
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