Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Photography major - How to make photos have stories?

How to make photos have stories?

Is the hero in the photo? Or a specific color and shooting angle? What is the secret of taking photos in newspapers or magazines? What is the secret of making photos full of impact? There is only one truth in all the above secrets-photos can tell stories. Since ancient times, people will sit around the fire and share their stories with each other. It doesn't matter who is photographed in the photo. If you want to be a good photographer, you must be good at telling stories first. A photo with a story, which embodies feelings and curiosity, can stand out from a large number of pictures and catch the attention of the audience. Then the next question is, what makes the photo "visually narrative"? In most cases, it is the emotion generated by the picture. This kind of emotion can make people understand, arouse curiosity, and even convey some negative emotions such as anger. Even if you take macro photos or scenery photos, it is best to let the photos tell stories. But for me, the most suitable theme is the photos of the characters, because the characters themselves are very emotional. Here are five tips for you to take photos with "stories" in your travel photography. 1. Need preparation In most fields, the difference between amateurs and professionals often lies in preparation. Professional photographers start working before leaving home, while amateur photographers just stand there waiting for things to happen. Professional photographers will collect information in advance, look for potential shooting content during the trip, and follow the plan to improve the success rate of taking good photos. What are the things worth investigating before the trip? Here are some examples: Are there any local activities or festivals during your stay? Festivals are always a good place to take pictures. Are there any local shooting or cultural taboos? For example, the Gaoshan people in the mountains of Asia think that taking photos will take away their souls. The best way to get this information is to listen to the advice of photographers who have the same experience. Online photography forums will be very helpful. Do you still want to take your shooting further? You can take a deep trip in the local area and see some information about local culture and history. You'd better learn some simple local languages. People are more accessible to people who speak the local language. Simple words like "Hello", "Thank you" and "Can I take your picture" will be very helpful. It may be safer to shoot people from a distance with a telephoto lens, and the problem is not big, but there is no better shooting method than being close to a person. Sometimes I shoot people from just a few centimeters apart. I will first establish contact with people, let them know that I have no bad intentions, and then look for moments worth shooting from their daily lives. I never hang my camera around my neck to get close to others. This will make others feel nervous and cause adverse reactions. After greeting in the local language, I will sit with them for a while, let them get used to the camera and me, and then start shooting. Always remember that people don't like the feeling of being displayed in front of you. The best way to break the barrier with others is to ask a local for help, which is what we will talk about next. 3. The best "icebreaker" professional photographers will turn to people-local people who understand the needs of photographers and can provide tour guides and other services. You can find these tour guides or develop them yourself, which is more interesting and free in most cases. You can make friends with local peers. They can take you to the best local places and teach you to speak the local language. All you need to do is be polite. It would be perfect if you could find a photographer to be your guide. 4. Does the storyteller feel that he can't find the direction? Not satisfied with your photos? You can try "story makers"-places where anyone gathers: markets, central squares or festivals. Stay alert and keep your eyes open, and the story will appear in front of you. You just need to choose the place you are interested in. It can be a church, a busy street, a beach or a strange building. Finally, we say that you need to be prepared to take a good photo, but sometimes you need to throw away the guidebook and just walk around the street looking for unexpected highlights. Although you are wandering around, don't forget to ask in advance where you can't go and the time of the last bus.