Putting together a Series

Last year I had to prepare a series about music. You can see it here together with my thoughts about. I think a series has not to be only a succession of photographs of the same subject. There must be a concept and a certain "rhythm" in it. Not easy.
robert
 
Generally speaking I come to a series with an idea before I start shooting, not always but mostly. Then that idea evolves as I shoot. Sometimes series are huge, like my ongoing project The Europeans. Sometimes they are short like the roadtrip I took last year. And sometimes I realize I have a series without having thought about it.

Tight editing is a must and in general I don't mix color and black and white unless there is a good reason.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Dear John,

Isn't that a circular argument, though? How do you know it can be expressed photographically -- or at least, that you are able to express it photographically -- unless you try?

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

Hi Roger,

It does not seem like circular reasoning to me at all. We first come up with something we care deeply about. Then we consider if we are able to express it visually, and, if so, how.

Unless it's a purely documentary project, a series usually translates a feeling or concept into a physical representation of that notion. So I think some themes will be harder than others to convey visually. We just need to dive in and see where it leads and if it works.

Here's an example that I've found enjoyable and instructive: http://lightbox.time.com/2012/05/21/my-dakota/#1

John
 
johnwolf said:
Hi Roger,

It does not seem like circular reasoning to me at all. We first come up with something we care deeply about. Then we consider if we are able to express it visually, and, if so, how.

Unless it's a purely documentary project, a series usually translates a feeling or concept into a physical representation of that notion. So I think some themes will be harder than others to convey visually. We just need to dive in and see where it leads and if it works.

Here's an example that I've found enjoyable and instructive: http://lightbox.time.com/2012/05/21/my-dakota/#1

John
Click to expand...
Dear John,

I think we may be saying the same thing, via a chicken-and-egg argument. For me, the series begins with the first successful images of a (possibly inchoate) idea; for you, with the idea itself.

Cheers,

R.
 
Summing up (I'm into lists currently it seems:)):

  • start from an interest in a specific topic
  • stick to the topic (albeit take other-topic shots as well, so not to burn out on the subject)
  • think through what the message/feel/the concept/the goal is thoroughly
  • tight editing
  • if mixing color and B&W, make sure either one does not interfere with the above
  • take your time, good things come slow

Currently I am working on my first bigger series, I'm shooting every nook and cranny from a school building that I spent my high school career in and where I have been working for the last nine years and that is scheduled to be demolished in the next 12 months.
Purpose is to record the building and the remnants of 45 years of education by teachers and students that passed through it. I'm likely shooting 1500+ shots but will edit down to probably 30.
 
Nice summary, Johan. It describes my approach. But I'm a technical writer by profession and automatically turn to lists and outlines and structure.

But I also recognize there is a more creative, open-ended approach that some here are describing. I'd like to incorporate more of that into my projects.

John


buzzardkid said:
Summing up (I'm into lists currently it seems:)):

  • start from an interest in a specific topic
  • stick to the topic (albeit take other-topic shots as well, so not to burn out on the subject)
  • think through what the message/feel/the concept/the goal is thoroughly
  • tight editing
  • if mixing color and B&W, make sure either one does not interfere with the above
  • take your time, good things come slow

Currently I am working on my first bigger series, I'm shooting every nook and cranny from a school building that I spent my high school career in and where I have been working for the last nine years and that is scheduled to be demolished in the next 12 months.
Purpose is to record the building and the remnants of 45 years of education by teachers and students that passed through it. I'm likely shooting 1500+ shots but will edit down to probably 30.
Click to expand...
 
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