Think Outside the Box by Taking Photos That Tell a Meaningful Story

Some photos are so dynamic. They capture a story in so many words that a paragraph could describe. When a great picture is captured it's like magic because the composition is positioned perfectly and the details are showcased beautifully, it feels like you are in the picture.

This is why I chose to study photojournalism. It would help me focus on the storytelling aspect of photography that other genres just play on. My ultimate goal would be to become a travel photographer and visit some places that I would like to see in the U.S. and tell a story about that place from a different angle.

Culturally speaking, there may be some dish, or location worth high lighting that maybe other people haven't seen from a certain angle. Or maybe someplace is notorious for something like Kentucky is notorious for baseball and horses. It would be cool to zoom in on someone's story and highlight points of their journey for the audience to see.

Some of the greatest photo storytelling photography are action shots. When you get in the action and capture something in motion it's like you're freezing time. It's wonderful to capture something at the moment like these horses galloping on a ranch. You wouldn't expect to capture the dust rising in the air as their hooves beat the ground and their manes fly behind them mid-gallop. It's amazing.

I also love storytelling in portraiture. It is so wonderful to capture the details of a person's face and their character through the clothing they wear. Like my friend here who bought a furry hat from Poland and the hint of color on her scarf peeking through her pure black outfit. She looks so different and eccentric with her round glasses and the whole character of her persona is so colorful and original.

One of the best ways to capture a photo that tells a meaningful story is to study the subject and the scene. Imagine the composition and try not to put your subject smack in the middle of the frame to make the picture more interesting. You could use the rule of thirds or measure from the horizon in thirds by using the ground as your foundation for the first third of the photo and leaving the resting of the sky to cover the other two-thirds of the photo in portrait position. You can accent the sky or focus on the movement of your subject. It really all depends on what your focal point is and how you can zoom in on it to tell a meaningful story with all the details around you.

So the next time you think of capturing a photo of your family, your pets, or a plant that you love think about the details that make it stand out and make for a fabulous photo. All it takes is a little effort and some forethought but you can captivate great stories through your photography to share with your loved ones.

If you haven’t already read this story, maybe you might enjoy reading this article here about my day on the ranch with the farm animals. It truly was a memorable experience as the animals worked me as I took their photos. One of the best memories I made in 2021.

Thank again for reading,

I appreciate you,

Rosa de Sarón C.