Ongoing Debates
My Thoughts on "Storytelling"
By now I feel most of us have seen these debate posts as to if a photo must tell a story, and my short answer is no. Like all things this is purely my own opinion based on many years of taking photos my way for me.
As I stated in my last post about taking photos I want to see just for me, this ideology aligns with that. I don’t need a story; I want an image. Just as I avoid the why of a photo, I tend to avoid the mechanics of attempting to tell any story. If a story is conveyed in a scene I captured, it’s either a coincidence or the viewer placing their own story into the scene. I absolutely do look for stories when I am out covering a protest or march because stories are the essence of photojournalism by design. Beyond that so little of my work have individual stories I am trying to share when I am out shooting what I want.
Passengers on a Bus
Passengers on a Bus
I spent a long time walking the streets of Fort Lauderdale, Florida at night specifically trying to capture buses as they passed by me. All I can do is attempt to have my settings and timing on the panning synchronized in a way that I happen to capture an image. This isn’t storytelling, it’s happenstance. I never know what I am getting, and it’s all absolutely by chance. No story intended just a glimpse into a scene we couldn’t experience without the act of photography.
Power Lines
I personally believe, and again this is just my opinion, that too many photographers are sold on the idea of storytelling as a means to elevate their work. It’s a lot like the gear situation. X camera can make you a better photographer, or in this case, depth of story can make you a better photographer. Neither are intrinsically true. A camera is a tool the same way storytelling is. They don’t automatically add any extra merit to your work.
Stop, Night Shadows
The constraint placed on photographers by telling them that they need to tell a story is akin to the constraints of the concept of general being important to one’s work. If we follow those guidelines, we not only miss the opportunity to capture wonderful images that fulfill us, but we also miss the opportunity for personal growth as an artist. To me that is the most unfortunate aspect of the trivialization of aspects to photography.
This all brings me back to the man focus of my last post, shoot for yourself and enjoy your work. You must listen to the inner photographer and not the online static or buzzwords. Photography is amazing, and each person is absolutely allowed to experience it the way they want without the fear of being rejected or chastised because of online trends perpetrated by mediocre photographers or average viewers.
If you want to take a photo that doesn’t tell a story, that is valid and not one person can say anything that would invalidate your choice to capture a scene.
Empty
Warped Reflections
Shadows from Above
Porthole to a Hallway
Street Lights and Clouds
I will always advocate for photographers doing what they want with the equipment they can have or choose to have. I will always support everyone’s ability to take personal agency over their personal approach to capturing images.
Thank you for your time. May you get out and enjoy your passions.
Have Fun.
Be well, and stay safe.
Both this and the last post have some great points. Personally, at times I hope to capture photos that are less about ME trying to tell a story, but rather one that might inspire the viewer to invent their own story.
I assume I’m attracted to this because I love seeing other photographers photos that cause my mind to wander, daydream, space out…and then realize that I had a narrative going on in my head. Most often, I doubt it was a story the photographer had in mind.
Then I like taking pictures plain o’ boring buildings too :).
This is why I wrote a note in my story on IG yesterday. "My images are a mess of one night stands. Not a relationship. Goodbye notes left on the bedside table". Each one is a different experience.