Creating Visual Narratives Through Your Photography

Photography Tips

Using photography to convey a message or tell a story is one of the primary goals we strive to accomplish. Being able to do so is a skill that is not always as easy as it seems. Too often we find our photographs look contrived or far from the target of what we are attempting to express. In the following hour long seminar, Cig Harvey, a seasoned fine art photographer, shares with us the process and her motivations behind some of her most profound work. The insight to be gained from her presentation is invaluable to those looking for ways to inject more unspoken narrative into our photographs. Have a look:

You can use some of Harvey’s insight to help improve your own visual storytelling. Try a few of these tips from Cig to get you on your way:

• Ask yourself, “Who are you making your work for?”
• Keeping dream journals and lyrics that touch you together in a journal can help you discover yourself.
• Think of photography as escapism; allow yourself to do things you thought you may never have done artistically.
• Avoid cliches. Challenge yourself to find ways to express yourself in unexpected yet effective ways.
• Don’t force an idea or risk your photograph looking forced.
• Take photographs even when you don’t want to. “If we only make pictures when we were inspired, we wouldn’t make enough photos.”

Visual Narratives

“That’s what we’re all trying to do here, we’re trying to find a way to make the unseen, seen.”