All Good Depictions

You know sometimes it is advised that you put your camera away to develop skills and abilities as a photographer. There are times when studies are required of you and your camera is simply a distraction to learning what you need to know about making a better photograph. Consider the following as one of those times when that piece of hardware you rely on so much is not needed to improve your skills in telling a better photographic story.

People watching is one of the ways we learn about those around us. Much can be understood about how to convey thoughts, feelings, and actions when we take some time to look at people individually and in groups. There are several specific things you should keep in mind when attempting to observe others for the benefit of improving your abilities to tell a better story.

All good depictions, in this case photographs, communicate something based on a subject that must be told. In regard to humankind several subjects come to mind that may provide you with some food for thought when it comes time to conveying what you see to your viewers. For purposes here, we will look at the following as subjects for your next human interest piece; behavior, activity, movement, and culture.

Behavior

The behavior of individuals is a ready made photographic story waiting to be told. People, for the most part, are interested in people who are not like them. Actions related to behavior can convey to the world positives, negatives, and the societal climate of a place, time, and circumstance. Built in to behavior is a person’s likes and dislikes, which promotes their preferences. It is in preferences that one makes the behavioral decisions that they do. It is also where the root of a wonderful story is found that may reflect a situation that is worth a photographic image.

For instance, you may observe two young ladies sitting at a table in a bookstore coffee shop. One sips at her coffee, impatiently taps her fingers on the table, and seems deep in thought. The other flips through a magazine wetting her forefinger with her tongue to do so. These are behaviors that can tell a story about the individuals sitting at the table. Communicating that story visually reflects several things about the two young ladies. With the information you have been given, what photographic story could you depict based on their behaviors?

Activity

People’s activities, or sometimes lack thereof, tells a specific story about an individual and possibly their environment. The movements and habits (repeated behaviors) found in the activities of people make up our perceptions about them. When captured photographically what we perceive is communicated to those who will eventually interpret the photograph. One of the most important stories that can be shown is that of an individual in action where their surroundings dictate how they act and react.

Let us return to the bookstore coffee shop for a moment. The young lady who is sipping at her coffee and impatiently tapping her fingers suddenly rises, gathers her stack of books, and shoves them in to a bag. She decides to leave, but must follow a maze of bookshelves to get to the door.

She has been there many times before and must navigate her way out. Is there a story involving activity that can be depicted by the actions that she took to leave the store?

Movement

Closely related to activity is movement. It, and how it is used mechanically by the individual, has been and continues to be heavily studied. Why? Because the mechanisms involved in movement are related to every aspect of human life.

To convey a story about a person moving will be one of challenge and profound interest to your viewer. Found in the movements of individuals are outward expressions of emotions, feelings, trials, conflicts, and victories. More often than not, photographs portraying motion will convey a crucial story in understanding society as a whole.

Yes, back to the bookstore. The young lady left behind throws up her hands in confusion and frustration. A look of anger crosses her face as she watches her friend leave the table. She throws the magazine closed, leans back in her chair, and crosses her arms. Do these movements convey emotions, feelings, and conflicts? Can you photograph them to portray motions that support an understanding about society?

Culture

Culture and its various components completes the story of the person who lives in a certain time and place. Photographs that depict the practices of an individual acting communally is always a matter worthy of attention. As stated earlier, people are interested in people and beyond their interest lays a desire to know more. Capturing culturally motivated circumstances, where individuals come together for purposes within their society, is one way to tell the whole story about people.

In the bookstore there are three young men who know the two young ladies. They see all that takes place between them. One goes after the young woman who departed and two go and sit with the one left behind.

The young man and lady who left return after some convincing on the young man’s part. They find the young lady at the table being held by one of the two men. She has laid her head on his shoulder and cries quietly.

The young ladies speak to each other for a few moments, one standing and the other sitting. One of the young men speaks to both and another gives the lady sitting a slight pat on the shoulder for reassurance. The lady sitting rises and moves toward the lady who left. They embrace.

Can a conclusion be drawn about this small society of young people? What might be one cultural norm for them as a group? Is it possible to convey to your viewer this story that has been told by photographing this cultural circumstance?

People Watching

People watching is one aspect in developing your photographic skills and abilities. Set aside some time every week to sit on a public bench or at a table where there are people. Put your camera away and simply watch those who are around you.

Note their behaviors, activities, movements, and how their culture may influence them. Then determine how a regular dose of this exercise could positively affect your abilities in telling a complete photographic story. In doing this, keep in mind why people may do what they do and are the way they are. In the end you will develop the skills necessary to look at a person, or persons, and know exactly the imagery you would make in telling others about them.