How do you create long form visual narratives?

[Damaso]

An interesting blog posting I came across. It has some good advice for those of you seeking to learn how to create these types of stories...

"Why do longer term stories? They are a pain to work on. They interrupt personal life. They interrupt work life - unless you’re lucky enough to have a job that supports project work. Why bother?


"Working on lengthy efforts as a photographer, compared to producing single images, is the difference between writing a paragraph and writing a book. To conjure a subject worthy of such effort, to figure out a structure for the coverage, to get know subjects intimately with a camera, to edit the work into something greater than its parts is alone the worth the effort. But only if you care about growing as a photographer and therefore as a person."


http://www.michaelddavis.com/blog/2012/3/3/how-do-you-create-long-form-visual-narratives.html

 

[karlori]

This just might be the read I was looking for to help me put together the pieces for a long term project I've been wanting to start for quite some time.

Thanks for the link.

 

[jordanstarr]

Longer projects let you explore the relationship between vision, purpose and photography. As a sociology/philosophy major and a serious amateur in photography, these things appeal to me. Going out and shooting single images is great and you can try new things and all that kind of stuff, but long-term projects lets you build a relationship with your subjects, allowing you to gain access to opportunities you never would have in the first place.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Damaso: Thanks for an excellent link for anyone who wants to their their photography up to a higher level. One can pick any of our favorite photographers and always see the application of his story to their work. From Ansel Adams to Garry Winogrand, you can can match the authors words to their body of work.

The fact that this is hard work which is necessary for results is about the only thing he specifically did not say. The majority of photographers simply do not want to work that hard and remain happy just wandering around taking photos of whatever interests them at the time. It is fine that that is your desire. But the really good photo work comes from a combination of talent and hard work. Just as no amount of hard work can make up to a lack of talent, no amount of talent will compensate for a lack of effort.

Also, he references Darcy Padilla's Julie Project as an example. I think this is an incredible story although not recommended for those whose taste is fuzzy kittens and pretty flowers.

 

[Damaso]

You make a very good point Bob: hard work is key. I firmly believe hard work will be talent any day of the week. Whatever talent I may have i know I've had to work very, very hard to make the most of it...

 

[OurManInTangier]

A very interesting article that clearly points out what I've known about my personal pictures for some time; I'm conversing in single words rather than sentences and whole conversations.

For those of us who are at this stage and wish to progress along this path this article is a huge help in understanding not just how to find a starting point but also how to lay out your plan to give you the best chance of completing any project with some level of cohesiveness.

RFF being a place with a general interest in documentary photography it would be great if we could have a place for the experts and practitioners to post links and their own articles or Q&A's. I've floundered for far too long knowing I need to embark on something more meaningful but struggled to lay out a workable and realistic approach to the many ideas I've had. To share in the knowledge of those that do rather than the opinions of those that dream would give some of us a surer footing and perhaps more importantly allow us to focus our efforts with a true idea of the harsh realities of project work.

Thanks for the link Damaso, and any further thoughts, links and advice will be received with much appreciation from many members including me.

 

[Damaso]

You're welcome Simon. I think this forum is a good place to start but of course the web is a big place with lots of information. For my own part I've written a few things about the practice of documentary photography on my blog here are a few links:
http://damaso.com/blog/2011/06/23/damaso-on-kodak-tv/

http://damaso.com/blog/2011/06/08/intimacy-versus-closeness/

http://damaso.com/blog/2011/06/01/on-editing-2/

Enjoy!

 

[OurManInTangier]

Thanks for the links Damaso, your blog has just gone into my bookmarks.

The web is indeed a big place with a wealth of information but having knowledge shared, such as this thread and the one you made regarding grants etc, really helps to get pertinent and thought provoking information into an accessible pool. Not that this is or should be the only research point for anyone, but a good starting point is what many people need.

Thanks again

 

[Damaso]

You're welcome Simon. I hope that more people will share their insights and links. RFF can be a great place to learn, but only if we all contribute....

 

[Sylvester]

Thanks a lot for the link! I've learned a lot from it and I think I have enough inspiration for a nice project!

 

[zwarte_kat]

Thanks so much for this. I feel that I definitely need to read these kind of explanations to improve. I am now pretty much content with a lot of the SINGLE images I take, but not with the "stories".
Photography if a wonderful art if you care to read up and improve on this. It is so easy to focus on just making good looking pictures now and then, that a lot of people never discover learning to make the "bigger picture". I am not there yet, but I am already happy that I at least realize the value of this.