The Elements of a Photographic Story
A Photographic Story Is Made Up of Different Elements
To tell an interesting story with your photos, you need to:
- Telling the story.
- Building a story.
- Know how to use storytelling.
- Know how to use copywriting.
- How to use a scenario.
Here's what you need to know to tell a story with your photos.
A Structure
A story has a beginning, a middle and an end.
It's not just a story. It's not just about juxtaposing events. You can't just say I did this; I did that, I went there.
Don't forget that viewers come for themselves, to enrich themselves, to improve, to change, to become better and different.
If you only talk to them about yourself, you'll quickly lose them. They'll tune out.
The beginning = the opening.
You need to show the environment. You need to connect with your audience.
The environment: development.
You need to integrate wider and tighter shots. The end: the conclusion.
You must always conclude a story in a positive or negative way. The viewer must know and understand that it's over.
A Theme
For a good story, you need a theme. It's a central idea.
You should be able to sum it up in one or two words: mystery, secrecy, escape, freedom, research...
This theme doesn't have to be explicit, but it does have to come out of the story
This theme must correspond to the conclusion.
The aim of the theme is for the viewer to get caught up in the game and identify with it, putting his or her own existence into it.
The Atmosphere
Atmosphere is the style and tone that must match the type of story you want to tell. You need to create a mood that makes your story more compelling.
Simplicity
Keep it simple.
A good story doesn't need complication. Don't tell too much. An overly detailed story weighs down the narrative and breeds boredom.
Method #1 for Creating a Photographic Story: Finn Beale's Method
You need 3 elements:
- A place.
- A character.
- An event.
The Place
The setting not only provides the context for the story. It's the stage on which the characters will experience the events.
You have to present the scene. The viewer has to believe in the scene. It will set the tone for the story. You can use close-ups or wider shots.
Close-ups make for more intimate scenes. You need to get up close without zooming in. You need to concentrate, for example, on reading water, plants and trees.
A Character
He's going to be at the center of the story and may have aspirations. You need to develop anthropomorphism.
The event
Something always has to happen:
- Tension.
- Suspense.
- Surprise.
Method #2: Donald Miller's Method
If you think back on all the stories you've loved, you'll find that they all obey pretty much the same principle. There's a real magic formula.
- The main character, in other words the hero, has internal, external or philosophical problems.
- He wants to solve them.
- To this end, he is looking for a guide to help him.
- This guide has a certain authority.
- Under the guidance of this guide, the hero undergoes a transformation. He will act.
- The guide will give him a plan for acting, overcoming setbacks and achieving success.
Now that you know the formula, you understand how good books and films are built. All you have to do is apply it to your photos.
Creating a Photographic Story
Not all good stories are about life. They're inspired by it.
Every good story reproduces the facts of life in an imaginary setting. It must seem real, imaginable, plausible.
A good story is always about human beings, whether directly or in the form of a parable.
If you want to create a good story with your photos, you need to talk about the viewers or your audience.
You need to talk to them about their feelings, their emotions, their past, future or present actions.
You need to evoke their happiness, their misfortunes, the questions they ask themselves.
All the stories you tell in your photos must touch the hearts of those who look at them.
Your audience must want to follow and experience your stories.
You have to encourage him to go all the way.
This is commonly known as "attention grabbing".
A good photographic story should include the following 5 elements:
- a character we call the hero.
- A universe.
- An event.
- Adventure/action.
- A resolution.
More than elements, they're actually 5 ingredients. A good story is like a recipe. You mix them together to create a story.
Each photographic story has different dosages of ingredients.
This is why they are infinite in number and always unique.
Have you noticed that these elements or ingredients are the ones you find in movies, TV series, soap operas, books and fairy tales?
In truth, as you'll have gathered, telling a story with photos is exactly the same as telling a story with video, written or spoken words. It obeys the same mechanism. What will change is the medium and grammar you use.
Let's move on to the details of each ingredient in a story.
The Character
Generally speaking, for a story to come alive, the character is necessary. The viewer or reader must identify with the character.
The main character, also known as the hero, has emotions and feelings. He wants to convey messages.
The main character sets the story in motion. It's through him or her that the narrative exists. For example, in the Star Wars films, the hero is Luke Skywalker. The whole story hinges on him. If you want to apply this character principle to your photos, you'll immediately think of street photography, studio photography or war photography. After all, human beings are always in the picture. It's easy to identify with them and put yourself in their shoes.
You're quite right. It's a no-brainer.
In nature photography, if you're into wildlife photography, you're also staging living creatures. They are the heroes. That's why you need to choose them carefully and show them off to their best advantage through special attitudes. The look is also very important.
In landscape photography, the main character can be a tree, a rock, a flower or a mountain.
As with wildlife photography, you need to choose the right point of view, lighting, framing and composition to bring out the best in this remarkable element.
In landscape photography, mood helps reinforce the main character or element. That's why, when you're creating a landscape photograph, you need to set a particular focus that will be the subject of your picture.
You don't have to take a photo just because it's beautiful. If you want to make it interesting and captivating for viewers, you have to add a character.
In abstract photography, finding an identifiable character is a little more complicated. The character can be the rhythm, a color, a shape. What you need to remember about the character is that he's indispensable. The viewer must identify with him. He must therefore be easily identifiable.