The art of storytelling is not something new. We have been practising this art for centuries to convey life lessons, add emotions to facts, build relationships with other people, help people understand difficult topics (story based learning), etc. We have enjoyed gathering around campfires or over meals to tell stories which have shaped our lives and communities. In recent years, however, there has been a lot of discussion about the effects of technology on this powerful art.
Some people seem to believe that the art of telling stories has been lost due to the rise of different technologies. Has this artform lost its power to technology or have we found different ways to tell stories using the different technologies? Let’s focus on the latter by examining storytelling with photography:
Ever wondered why social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram are so popular? One of the reasons is that most people are more visually inclined and would rather tell their stories with photography. This is where the old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, comes to life. We live in a fast-paced world where we are constantly bombarded with content coming from all directions. Visual storytelling, therefore, provides a medium in which an audience can instantly connect to stories through photography, rather than using many words to describe the content. This is one of the most powerful story-based learning techniques.
Components of a Good Storytelling Photograph
Below are a few story based learning tips that will make your photographs stand the test of time, by creating a connection with your audience.
1. A captivating Subject
You want to have a subject who will resonate with the viewers – one who will
have them say “Wow!” or “That’s beautiful!” This can be
done by taking a photograph that includes only the essential elements, in other
words, a photograph that will have only what you want the viewers to see. You
can do this by zooming in or out, blurring the background or foreground, making
it more colourful, or shooting it in black and white, etc.
This, however, does not mean that your subject MUST be unusual or distinct, for your photograph to be able to tell a story. You can still capture a subject that would otherwise go unnoticed by most people, and still create a powerful photograph. Moreover, capturing an unusual or distinct subject on its own does not mean you will create an amazing photograph. It only means that having a captivating subject is a good start.
2. Photography that captures authentic emotions
Though it is mostly visual art, photography is not just about aesthetics – it is also about telling a story. This principle has more significance when your subject is a person. Capturing authentic emotions becomes your objective if you want to tell a story that will be able to create a connection with your audience.
It is, however, important to avoid fake emotions because they will ruin your story. The more authentic the emotion the better. It will help if you make your subject feel more at ease in front of the camera, because that will help produce a more natural photograph. You can also capture your subjects in a location which is familiar to them, one with a special meaning to them, or where they feel more comfortable.
3. Photography that conveys a message or
meaning
What is the key message you wish to convey to your audience? What do you want
people to remember after looking at the photograph? It is important to figure
this out before capturing your subject, to avoid distractions that will compete
with your central theme.
Come up with a theme for the photos and then build the message you wish to convey around that theme. This could be a location, colour, an object, etc., or a combination of them.
Another way to apply this could be by letting the scene dictate its message or meaning. For example, capturing a subject in an eerie old house creates a meaning of fear. And capturing a subject at the top of a mountain before sunset creates a photograph with a dramatic message. Location, therefore, can determine the meaning of the photograph.
Adapting to the fast technological advancements and incorporating these story based learning techniques will certainly improve your storytelling skills.
