People love telling stories through photography. Whether on the printed page or on the internet, a narrative can be formed using pictures. Through this, photographers can portray the emotions that their subject has inspired or share their own stories uniquely and effectively. With so many types of photography out there, many ideas and practical examples can help you start creating your masterpiece.
What is narrative photography?
A narrative photograph is a picture that tells a story. These kinds of photography leave an impression on the viewer because they convey an emotion or a message. In other words, they have a deeper meaning that you can interpret once you see them.
This kind of photography had existed for hundreds of years, long before digital cameras or even film cameras made it to the market. It is just taking pictures and telling stories through them. This article showcased some of the best creative ways to create narrative photography ideas – from basic storytelling techniques to striking visuals and unique approaches.
This article has collected several tips and examples to help you take your photography to the next level. If you like this article, you can share it on your social networks. We would love to hear what you think about it or if you think that other exciting ideas could be included in a future article.
1. Appreciate the power of storytelling in photography
When you take a picture, it is not actually about taking a photo. In fact, what you are doing is more like writing a story. That’s why there exists such a thing as narrative photography, which is just as effective as any other format and carries the same emotional punch.
The best way to start creating a narrative is to understand the importance of storytelling in photography. There are no rules in this creative process, but everything starts with a meaningful shot.
Therefore, make sure that you approach your subjects with compassion and respect by giving them your undivided attention and making them feel comfortable. Use the best tools for framing and composing your shots to achieve the desired effect and help your subjects express themselves.
2. Go for a full-frame shot
Despite modern technologies and the fact that we can snap from our mobile phones pretty much anywhere on the planet, choosing the right frame can be troublesome. However, when you are creating your narrative photography ideas, try to avoid shooting in a square aspect. Instead, go for a full-frame shape or, even better – an ultra-wide one to make room for cropping later.
The main advantage of using this approach is leaving the whole image to tell your story. You can also use the possibilities given by different lenses (zoom, for instance) and props. The main thing is not to cut out anything important from your shot; otherwise, the whole idea behind it will lose its meaning.
3. Select a meaningful location
After deciding on your narrative photography ideas, you might be tempted to go out and take as many shots as possible. However, it is better to do some proper planning and select the best location for your story.
The location can be used as a metaphor and help you interestingly tell your story. It is also important because it provides an essential part of your image for framing and composing.
The best location for a photo is the one where you feel comfortable, but it does not have to be your home or current place of residence. For example, some people see the world from behind the camera lens, while others feel more at home in front of a computer screen.
Think about all the important elements for your scene, and then look for a place where you can include them all.
For instance, if you want to photograph a couple who are celebrating an anniversary, you could take both on the beach and near an old boat to make it more atmospheric.
The same situation could be recreated in a forest or your own backyard. Take into account your surroundings and the artistic possibilities that each location offers.
4. Keep it simple
When creating a narrative, the most important thing is not to make it too complicated. There are no rules for having a narrative, but it is always about the emotions you want to convey or the particular mood you want your viewers to feel. Therefore, don’t get creative with details, and make sure that your photographs can stand on their own.
When looking for locations, try to avoid busy areas such as public thoroughfares or busy parks. Instead, try to go to quiet places such as churchyards and parks.
If possible, avoid taking too many photos and edit them accordingly. A simplified approach will help you carry out the process much faster and allow you to add more detail later on.
5. Lose yourself in the moment
Always keep in mind that what matters is how your subject feels at that moment, not necessarily how you feel while taking the shot. In other words, try not to be too analytical. If you can capture an image without thinking about the technical aspects, it means that you’ve achieved your goal.
The best way to achieve this is to disconnect your mind and lose yourself in that particular moment. If you are not comfortable with people, use animals or objects such as a tree or a monument. The main thing is to get into the zone.
When it comes to lenses, you can use any that you have in your bag, but some work better than others when it comes to creating a narrative. The most important thing is to zoom out and capture the full view of your scene with all its details and emotions.
If you want more drama and emotion, go for a wide angle that can capture the whole scene just like your eyes would do.
6. Choose a powerful portrait pose
Is your subject in a passive pose? If yes, consider changing it and using a more active one. Look for poses that are dynamic and look good from every side. A good example is an arm-cross pose, which can be used to show leadership or power. You can also use your hands to make a person look more natural.
The fingers do not have to be visible, but you can still use them for composing. This rule applies to all the other gestures that you might use for your narrative photography ideas shot. Also, an ahead tilt is another gesture that helps you achieve the desired effect.
7. Let your subject breathe
When looking at the snaps, don’t forget that a good picture should convey a message, not just a snapshot. After seeing it, the viewer is often left with many questions, and this is exactly what you want to achieve with your narrative photography ideas.
It would help avoid unnecessary clutter and include only important details to do this. The viewer can interpret what you want to communicate after seeing it.
For example, if too much is happening in the background, the viewer might be confused about what the subject actually does. Instead, try to focus on a single inner detail or, even more importantly – one important detail that your viewer can interpret.
8. Look for meaningful details
Ensure that your photograph has enough big and small details to give it a more complete look. You don’t have to squeeze every last detail in there but look for things that can be meaningful and important.
Remember that too many details will make it challenging to find the main subject of your story. That’s not what you want, so try to limit yourself by only including the right ones.
This process is more important if you are trying to create a narrative with many people or objects in it. Keep in mind that having too many details can be very distracting. Also, if you want to add some more details, later on, it is better to shoot in HDR instead of taking multiple shots to create the intended effect.
When you are shooting in low light, such as indoors or in a very dark room, you need to experiment with new techniques, such as lighting. You can use artificial light sources such as flashlights and even portable lights that let you create a mood or an atmosphere. The most important thing is to use them carefully and not abuse them from one shot to another.
9. Don’t be afraid of composition
The composition of your shot is the most important element in storytelling through photography. It makes the result look good and interesting, whether you want to convey a particular meaning or emotion.
Think about each scene you plan to shoot in detail, including how the main subject contrasts with other elements and how a particular light will affect it.
It is important to know the principles of creating a good composition. There are some common rules that you can apply, such as keeping the background simple, leaving space for your subject, or using lines and edges to lead the viewer’s eye between items in the frame. You can also use color and light to create an overall feel for your number.
10. Adapt to changing weather conditions
Sometimes it’s hard to predict when will be the best time of day or weather conditions to take a photo of your subject. If you are shooting on an overcast day, you might find that the best time to shoot is just past the golden hour.
It is better to spend a little extra time than to be disappointed in the end and have too many blurry photos that don’t look sharp. If you don’t know when the weather will change, it is better to have a Plan B ready for all kinds of weather conditions.
It would help if you also kept in mind that there will be fewer shadows when it’s sunny outside than on an overcast day. A sunny day might not be the best choice for a complicated narrative shot, especially if you are trying to convey shadows and emotions.
FAQ:
What is narrative style photography?
Narrative photography is a technique that is used to create an image that has more meaning and purpose. For example, you can try to tell a story through a single shot or even multiple ones. The narrative style is mainly used to convey emotions and ideas, and the main goal is to have a story that makes sense and has a beginning, middle, and end.
How do you do narrative photography?
When planning to create a narrative image, there are specific rules that you should follow. The main thing to consider is what you want to convey and how you can show it through a single picture. It is best to have a lot of details and information in an image in your mind, but not all of them need to be included.
What makes a good story in photography?
Every good narrative photo needs to make the viewer ask questions and think about what is going on. It takes a lot of time and effort to create a good story, but you will get something with real value in the end. The best examples are street photos that often leave you wondering what’s actually going on in them.
What is photography storytelling?
Photography is a form of artistic expression where an image is created to convey a story. Photography storytelling aims to create photos that tell a story and often convey emotions or ideas. The idea behind photography storytelling is to have a story that makes sense and has a beginning, middle, and end, whether you want to tell a short story or create a single impressionistic photo.
Conclusion
Narrative photography ideas can be a lot of fun to make. Remember that you don’t have to follow set rules when shooting for this kind of photography. Always remember the most important thing – let your creativity fly and try to let yourself go in that particular moment.
If you follow these steps, you will be able to create visual stories that will make your viewers want to come back for more.
We hope that you found this helpful article for your next photoshoot. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section below if you enjoyed it. Also, make sure to read our other articles on 45 Easy and Cute Baby Photoshoot Ideas 2022.
Your comments are very valuable to us, so let us know if you have something in mind that we might have missed here!
You may also read:
1. Excellent Ideas For Shoe Photography: Exposure Guide in 2022
2. 10 Essential Tools For Photography That Every Photographer Needs
3. 21 Unique But Easy To Create Family Photoshoot Ideas in 2022
