Storytelling through photography is a great way to create a narrative out of your photographs by editing and sequencing them.
In fact, photography is the art of editing. To take a picture is to edit a piece of what we’re seeing from the world.
And putting those pictures together to create a story is what makes photography an art form.
To help you create your own story I will share with you my working process for my photobook Life Is A Dream.
Find a Title
Finding a title for your story will help you understand the theme underlying your photographs. It’s what will link all your pictures together.
You could start from an idea and take photographs or create a story from photographs already taken as I’ve done with Life Is A Dream.
I called my first photobook Life Is A Dream because I suffered in the past of derealization episodes. Derealization is a dissociative disorder in which we feel that the world around us is unreal. Things and people around us seem “foggy” as if there was a veil between us and reality.
My longest derealization episode lasted three months in India.
As a consequence, I bought a camera to entice myself out of my room where I felt trapped. Taking photographs became a way to escape from my condition and to reconnect with reality and stay present in the moment.
What are the Themes of your Story?
Like films and novels, photo stories are made of people, places, and things that are interwoven to create a narrative.
But keep in mind that a photo story is more mysterious as the narrative is not as linear, a bit like a poem.
So don’t worry too much if the threads are not that evident, or if you don’t have people in your photographs for instance.
If it works for you that’s the only thing that matters.
I have identified four themes in Life is A Dream.
1. Black & White photographs
During my derealization, my perception of the external world was lacking emotional colouring so I decided to include seven black & white photographs which were seven important key moments in my journey, a bit like chapters.
2. Children
I felt inspired by the playfulness of children and their capacity to use their imagination to create imaginary worlds despite their difficulties.
3. Spirituality
As you may know India is a very spiritual country. Even rats have a temple dedicated to them !
During my journey I did a meditation retreat in Kerala, explored Hindu temples in Chennai, volunteered at Mother Teresa in Kolkata and watched pilgrims bathing in the Ganga river in Varanasi.
4. Street Portraits
Street portraits enabled me to connect with strangers in the street.
As an introvert, I tend to worry about disturbing people.
But my camera gave me an excuse to talk to strangers and take their portraits.
The importance of printing your photographs
Printing your photographs will help your editing process. Even though you can edit them on your computer, having the physical photograph in your hand is a different experience.
Shuffling them around on your table, feeling the weight of the paper, and sticking them on a notebook with your handwriting will bring you unexpected joy and satisfaction.
The StoryTelling Assignment
Create a story made of six photographs using the images you have taken during the course. Next week you will present your story.
Tips:
- Write down all the titles you have in mind.
- Think about your experience of these last months. How did you feel? How was your life? This will help you find the thread that will tie your photos together.
- Feel free to choose any photographs, even the ones you haven’t selected for the assignments BUT make sure to select photos you have taken during the course.
- You don’t need to choose one picture from each assignment. For exemple; you could have two images from the New Life assignment and none from the Food one.