On a recent trip to New York I attended a Kinfolk event where I shot a roll of film. It was a wonderful evening, full of delicious food and interesting conversation while the sun set over Brooklyn.
However, I woke in the middle of the night, worrying about pictures I hadn’t taken. This was a first for me. Why had I not gone and taken any from across the other side of the room? Why were there no pictures of people eating the food? Why no establishing shot of the entrance hall?
For many of these pictures, there were good reasons why I had not taken them. I had arrived late to the event, having lost my bearings walking through Williamsburg. The light had faded very quickly (and certainly before the food was served). And I had wanted to catch up on the gossip with my cousin, who I hadn’t seen for over a year. Yet still, here I was worrying about pictures I hadn’t taken.
I realised that those missing pictures would have helped to tell the story of the evening, by showing the context and the setting, and the food that we all enjoyed. Although I was pleased with the pictures I ended up with, without those missing pictures I didn’t have the whole story.
And telling stories, I realised, is where I seem to be going with my photography. I started off with single images. Then, last year, I became obsessed with diptychs, even going so far as do do an entire 365 of them this year. I like the way the juxtaposition of two pictures can say so much more than a single image: the context and the detail, or the before and the after.
Having done diptychs for a year, though, I feel as though I am moving on to sets of images that tell more of a story. Without realising it, I’ve been doing this on my Tumblr, assembling sets of images rather than just pairs. Realising that there were pictures missing from my roll of the Kinfolk event was disappointing, but also a sign that I am starting to think about what ingredients I want in a picture story.
I needed a plan. Or a recipe, if you prefer. Now, before setting out with my camera, I draw up a list of the images I want, like a storyboard. Of course I can deviate from this plan if I want to, and shoot extra images, but the ones on the list are the essentials. It turns out that planning a photo story in this way is standard practice for photojournalists, but I’ve had to figure this out for myself. I’m still working on it, and still learning, but this seems to be where I’m heading, and the diptychs were a stepping stone along the way.
what a nice post. missing pictures is such a big of part of photographers daily life. i feel often that i am bothered so much about missing pictures, that this is disturbing my joy of pictures i had taken.
I totally get what you mean. Those missing pieces can so easily distract you away from the pieces you have!
Love learning through your learning, K. And I’m just a tad jealous you got to attend a Kinfolk event!! xo
Ah, there’s always something new to learn, isn’t there? And yes, I was very lucky to go to the event. It was such a special evening. x
If I went to a Kinfolk event it would be a miracle if I took a photo at all. I’d likely stand there in self conscious awe! So lucky!
Oh you are funny! I have to admit, there was quite a lot of that going on too on my part!
I love following your journey. Xo
Thank you, lovely. xo
Kirstin, I loved reading this post and learning that you like to storyboard as well. A Kinfolk event has been on my list for some time, glad you were able to experience one and truly your gorgeous photos looks like they’re straight from the magazine’s pages.
I love that there’s always something new to learn in the world of photography, don’t you?
oh Kinfolk love, yes. i really like the storyboard idea, i usually have an idea of what i want but when i actually get to shooting (a walk, an interview) it always changes to fit the mood. that idea is really good to keep focus. also, dippies are the best thing ever, and ive never been able to trully master it haha. that is why i drool at yours. 😉
Thank you for the tip! I really do need to learn to keep focused.
There is so much food for thought in this post Kirstin! Thank you for sharing your process. I’ve loved your diptychs and know that you are already an amazing storyteller. I can’t wait to see the stories you are going to share!
I love that you’re storytelling too. We shall have to share our adventures together.
I do a photobook every year for our family, and struggling in the early years to lay out pages with multiple images to tell a story of our days definitely influenced my shooting style. (although working, or procrastinating working, on it right this moment shows me that I was more lax this past year).
It also has shaped how I shoot for clients, and now I offer photobooks in order to try and help them tell their stories, if only for one day.
For me it is all about storytelling — and yet I still have quite a way to go in perfecting my process!
That is such a good idea, Amy! Thank you for the tip!
You always seem to inspire me. Thank you for this.
And you inspire me too, Staci. Always.
Thank you so much for this post! I have recently started pairing multiple images, myself, so I think storyboarding is such a wonderful idea!
And you layer your images too with such a good result. I am totally inspired.
i love your posts. xx
Sweet Sam. x
I had a wonderful time with you. I agree completely its all about telling a story. Its how I have been taking pictures the past few years. Its so human, telling the story. I loved all your pics from that evening, especially the film 🙂