One of the most common pieces of photography advice is that your photos should tell stories. But what if that mindset is actually limiting your creativity?
In this new video, I challenge one of the biggest ideas in photography and explain why some of the most compelling wildlife images aren’t really about storytelling at all – and how a shift in your thinking can supercharge your creativity in the field.
Best 5 minutes you’ll spend today 🙂 Check it out:
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books and video workshops! Thousands of pages and hours of videos filled with tips, tricks, and techniques – all my best content! Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look).
Thanks so much, Steve, for reaffirming what my instincts have been telling me! I kept looking for storytelling opportunities and was missing out on photographing “a bird on a stick” in a gorgeous background. I recently shot a Great Egret, doing NOTHING, just standing in a marsh, but the surrounding water lily pads, tall grasses, and the light hitting his nuptial plumage just right, makes this my favorite photo so far this spring! Great video, once again.
Great presentation as usual. Completely changed my view of “story telling.” I’m all in on creating an interesting photo vice gelling a story
I’m so pleased that you highlighted this. The continual references to ‘storytelling’ by others trying to educate us about what makes a great wildlife image drives me nuts! If it’s interesting, compelling even, then it’s a great image in my opinion.
Excellent perspective on “why we shoot.” As a former photojournalist, the storytelling was critical. Now, as a hobbyist, the “interesting” end image is the goal. Thanks for a clarifying reminder!
Steve, I agree 110%! I hear about photographic storytelling all the time, I think its possible to tell a story with a photo but not all good photos NEED to tell a story. Most of the “stories” (when present) are very simple ones (egret catching a fish in the high surf) but (as you rightly point out) these are mostly identified after the shot is taken. Thanks for making this point!