There’s a bit of a visual language on blogs, a style of taking photographs that bloggers and readers love, understand, expect, even. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at all. It’s nice to have a slightly shared aesthetic, even if we are taking shots of different things in our different lives, we often shoot them in similar, comforting ways.
I do think, though, that it’s good to put that shared or reliable aesthetic aside when you can, and explore other ways of taking photos and sharing your story visually.
One of the big things I learnt about taking photos this year (one that I don’t reliably bring into play, I might add!) is that a great shot doesn’t have to replicate the scene exactly, but it should portray something of how the scene FELT to those viewing it.
Details like a sprinkling of sun flare, droplets of water, pretty light, peachy fuzz on a baby’s arm, people looking away from the camera at something else, a fresh point of view, a corner of something, how someone is holding their hands or feet, hair flying, catch-lights in people’s eyes, things left behind, imperfect scenes, the end of something can all tell a story beautifully without being totally literal.
I think when we’re taking photos, having a human or imperfect element, or recording the less obvious parts of the scene can often tell the story in a way the reliable, comfy, usual shot can’t.
The viewer of your image may not delve too deeply into your more predictable, lovely shots. They’ll sort of say ‘ooh, lovely’ and move on. But if you can find ways to capture the unexpected, less-focused-on parts of whatever you are trying to capture, you may end up with something MUCH more compelling.
The image above is an example:
I took this photo in Ubud when I was there a few weeks ago. I wanted to capture the staff at this hotel, but in a candid unposed way. They’d assembled, about to begin their afternoon prayers, and slowly their attention was caught by something. I snapped away (just with my iPhone) getting various versions of their reaction, their unguarded moment.
It turned out that the thing that caught their attention was a girl walking up to ask for a photo. After my shot, they dutifully lined up in a row and smiled for the camera. Everyone said thank you and continued on with their day. (And how polite of her to ask, props to her, for sure!)
Of all the shots of these fellas that I got, this one is my favourite. I love the varied expressions and the shape the guy on the right is making with his turned head, the graphic elements of the blinds and their shirts. It’s definitely not a ‘perfect’ shot in terms of photographic technique, (the light was challenging and it was hard to get things neatly framed without losing the candour) but it’s a shot to be proud of, regardless ( think!)
My bet is that the girl who took the lined up shot got a perfectly nice photo that said ‘here are some lovely Balinese gents’ What I love about my shot, though, is that it could tell all kinds of stories. You want to look at it in a way that you might not a posed version. Unposed for the win!
So, be stealth and look for the unposed or unexpected shots/angles/shapes/details. These are the ones you will be proudest of and they’ll illustrate your story with much more depth and authenticity because they’re fresh and they’re uniquely you.