Conceptual Photography OR Story Photography Real Quick Magic

Conceptual Photography OR “Story Photography”

Real Quick Magic Eye by Simon Kwan

“A picture is worth a thousand words. ” • Conceptual photography is described as a genre where the photographer attempts to capture an idea or concept in a photo. • You have a message or story you are trying to convey through an image and, more often than not, this takes preparation for the shot to be a success. • It challenges your creativity and imagination, highlighting artistic expression rather than simply technical expertise.

Conceptual photography presents a message • Many photos present the subject in a straightforward manner, what you see is what you get. – Although these may be perfectly lighted and composed, there is nothing more to them apart from being a pretty photograph. • Conceptual photos, on the other hand, usually present a strong message that is hard to ignore. – Sometimes the message isn’t simple and clear, which entices you to look deeper at the nuances of the shot. – It could be open to various types of interpretations.

Conceptual photography presents a message Photo by Seyed Mostafa Zamani

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response • One of the objectives of conceptual photography is to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. • This can be done through many ways. – For example, you can present “ordinary” objects in a different light. – With the use of interesting composition, these can suddenly take on a deeper meaning.

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Photo by Felipe Gabaldon

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response • Lighting, mood, and colors can also greatly impact the viewer to connect with the shot. • Bright and colorful scenes can make one feel completely different compared to when looking at dark and muted tones. • Each element in a conceptual photograph, from the focal point to the negative space to even the image orientation, is carefully planned to elicit a reaction.

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Photo by IPOX Studios

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Pilgrim Tibetans believe, once in their life, a pilgrimage to Lhasa is of exalted purpose and moral significance. Therefore, we see people like this, especially in spring and autumn, on their journey of faith, sometimes thousands of miles long, kowtowing every few steps. Photo by Startrooper

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Photo by María A. C. (ernieland)

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Photo by Unknown

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Sichuan Earthquake Photo by Mads Nissen

Conceptual shots usually trigger an emotional response Sichuan Earthquake Photo by Mads Nissen

Where concept photography can be seen… • Conceptual photos can be used in commercial photography for advertising and marketing. – Many print ads make use of clever conceptual photos to get their message across and entice the audience to buy their product or use their service. • Conceptual photos can also be found in fine art galleries where they are hung on walls to be admired by artists and analyzed by critics.

Where concept photography can be seen… • Conceptual photos can be used in commercial photography for advertising and marketing. – Many print ads make use of clever conceptual photos to get their message across and entice the audience to buy their product or use their service. • Conceptual photos can also be found in fine art galleries where they are hung on walls to be admired by artists and analyzed by critics.

Where concept photography can be seen… Photo by Srta. Gómez

Where concept photography can be seen… Photo by Steve Mc. Curry

Where concept photography can be seen… Photo by Steve Mc. Curry

Where concept photography can be seen… • Conceptual photos can be used in commercial photography for advertising and marketing. – Many print ads make use of clever conceptual photos to get their message across and entice the audience to buy their product or use their service. • Conceptual photos can also be found in fine art galleries where they are hung on walls to be admired by artists and analyzed by critics.

Where concept photography can be seen… Photo by IPOX Studios

Conceptual photo tips • Digital / Instant results • Photography as a vehicle for artistic expression

Conceptual photo tips • Know your camera and the compositional elements before you break them. • Understand the concept and uses of the Rule of Thirds, converging lines, patterns, lighting techniques, exposure settings, etc. • These are your tools to create a good photo, and whether you use them or not will greatly affect the outcome of your shot.

Conceptual photo tips Photo by Thesolarium

Conceptual photo tips • Don’t let your camera stop you from creating conceptual photos. • It doesn’t matter much whether you have a cheap point and shoot or a high-end DSLR, you can still take fantastic conceptual shots with it. • For example, even a 2 mp i. Phone camera, such as the one used for this image below, is sufficient as long as you work with its limitations and advantages. – You guys have proven this!!!!

Conceptual photo tips Photo by Kristine Hojilla

Conceptual photo tips • Be creative in getting your message across in your shot. – Brainstorm by jotting down possible compositions and do not be your own worst critic by killing baby ideas before they have a chance to grow. • Always keep your audience in mind. Ask yourself who you are sending this visual message to and how you would want them to react. – Is it for children or adults? – Is the message clear in your photo? • Questions like this can help guide you in improving your conceptual photography.

Conceptual photo tips Photo by Unknown

Handouts

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden Photo by Russ Burden

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden • [It’s what] allows you to tell a story in the image. It’s a split second frozen in time that lets the mind wander for hours about the events that may have lead up to it, the actual time of capture, and what will happen afterwards. When caught at its peak, it creates emotional impact for the viewer. • Nailing it requires patience, anticipation, timing, and sometimes a little luck. I use this word reluctantly as it tends to lessen the impact of the image. In order for the lucky moment to occur, the photographer still has to be out in the field showing patience anticipation and timing. • Furthermore I offer you this - why is it that certain photographers are consistently lucky? And just how many times have those photographers been out in the field and the luck didn’t occur? The bottom line is an investment in time is essential if you want to capture the essence of the moment.

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden Photo by Russ Burden

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden • In order to tell a story with an image, some sort of action or behavior needs to be portrayed. It goes beyond the simple capture of a subject just standing in a location and looking pretty. • If it’s a single subject, it should be doing something, be involved in an action, interacting with the environment, displaying a characteristic, etc. If there are multiple subjects, they should be involved in some sort of interaction or there should be some sort of connection going on that ties them all together. • The challenge with a single subject is it needs to relate to its surroundings and the captured moment has to tell the story. When there are multiple subjects, they also have to relate to their surroundings, interact in a way where they stand out from the background, and be caught where the angle clearly allows the story to be told.

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden Photo by Russ Burden

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden • As if the above isn’t difficult enough to compile into a single image, the guidelines that govern good light, composition, subject matter, etc. need to fall into place. As you’re being patient and anticipating the moment, be cognizant of the rule of thirds. • Watch how the light falls on the subject and if necessary, augment it with flash if the situation allows. Make sure the shutter is fast enough to capture the speed of the action. Be aware of the aperture to cover enough depth of field so the subject is sharp while making sure it’s wide enough to prevent the background from becoming an in focus distraction.

Capturing the Essence Of The Moment – by Russ Burden Photo by Russ Burden

QUESTIONS? ? ? • For next week. – Tell me a story (with a picture). – Answer the questions on your sheet.

Starving Boy and Missionary • Mike Wells felt indignant that the same publication that sat on his picture for five months without publishing it, while people were dying, entered it into a competition. – He was embarrassed to win as he never entered the competition himself, and was against winning prizes with pictures of people starving to death. • (World Press Photo of the Year: 1980 Mike Wells, United Kingdom. Karamoja district, Uganda, April 1980).

Starving Boy and Missionary Photo by Mike Wells