Story-telling Images

Whether I am assigned a travel shoot or I am photographing on personal travel, I think within the framework of a story. Many times after a trip, people will look back through their images and see that they have a whole bunch of images on a similar theme. This makes sense—we all have our interests and we have subject matter with which we are comfortable photographing. There is the common complaint from people that they photographed only landscapes and they even worked very hard to get people out of their photographs! Or maybe the focus has been famous landmarks but there is no sense of the people who live around these places. Usually, however, when you are telling someone about a trip or a place you love, you talk about the people you met there, their personalities, the food, the landscape, the culture. So, try to capture this dynamic nature of place and think about the collection of your photographs creating a story of wherever you may be. Let’s say I know a wine is famous from the region, I will photograph a warm, glowy wine shop, people trying the wine, a portrait of a wine producer, the vineyards, etc. The editor may pick only one of these images, but I like to have a visual sense of what this wine is and why it is famous. For me, “story-telling images” are both individual photographs that give the viewer a greater understanding of the place and also the “package” of photographs selected illuminate many aspects of the story.

For me, if I am working on assignment, it is more necessary that I give the editor most of the categories from the shot list below, but even if I’m shooting solely for my enjoyment, I try to photograph a variety of subjects that tell the story of why a place is unique and what I want to remember. The light in the morning on the nice woman selling lettuce in the market, the local octopus specialty (although a difficult one to make appealing), the swarms of locals promenading in the evening. Thinking about the place in terms of a story helps me to search out different elements of a location. I read about the history before I arrive and talk to locals to discover themes that I then try to show photographically. I think this is also a fun way to travel… it pushes you out of your comfort zone and makes you ask questions. What do people not know about your city? How has it changed? Where can I here the best live music? What do you love about your city/village? Where is the best view of the city?

Making a shot list helps to ensure I have a wide variety of images (this can also help later if an editor is looking for stock and you do, in fact, have photographs of a young couple walking through the park in fall … they are many times this specific a request!). I also work to shoot a mix of wide, medium and tight shots because even if I have a large selection of different subjects, if they are all shot similarly, they appear similar.

Making a Shot List

Before I leave on an assignment, I write up a basic shot list. This helps to put into task form the story of the place I’m attempting to show. During the shoot I update the list with new ideas and check off items after I feel like I have them covered. I also fill out the list with contact information and ideas for how to shoot it. This helps me to keep on schedule with the basic coverage so that I can enjoy the place and be open to the serendipity of travel.

1. landscapes/cityscapes - When I first arrive, I go on a walk or jog around the area to settle into the feel of the place and to get oriented. I make mental notes about places I’d like to return to in nice light with my camera and look for good vantage points.
2. people - Beyond knowing that interesting characters are everywhere, I make a list of people who embody the story of the place. Maybe it’s an old shepherd who still lives in the traditional way or a local craftsman who still makes the traditional alpen horn.
3. food - All places have local food/drink traditions. In researching, look for places that are famous for the preparation or selling of the item. This can also be a good way to meet interesting characters to photograph and many times, can lead to making beautiful images of where the item is produced (farms, vineyards etc.).
4. neighborhoods and hotels - Wandering around neighborhoods and outdoor markets are a great way to capture the local color and “slice of life” photographs. Find the neighborhoods that represent the spirit of the story. Editors usually want some images of cool or interesting places to stay as well. A rooftop or balcony at a hotel can also be the perfect place to get great cityscapes.
5. culture and history - I usually need a few images of monuments and museums. These are not always Frank Geary museums so often I’ll try to shoot an important building or monument during “magic hour” (the hour or so after sunset). Often, I’ll set up a tripod and use a long exposure to get the royal blues of the sky contrasting with the warm tones of the building or monument lit up.
6. events, festivities, nightlife - I make sure I have images of people enjoying life—at music events, parks, restaurants, shopping, etc. To find these, I look at signs posted around town and check out the local version of a “what’s happening” publication. I’ll also ask a variety of people so that I’m perhaps directed to both operatic events and the town’s annual donkey racing festival.

This is just to make sure I get the basics, but the main idea I try to hold on to is finding out what makes the place special and then look for visual examples to let the story evolve.