Narrative and conceptual approaches

Understanding Narrative and Conceptual Approaches

  • Narrative photography tells a story through a sequence or collection of images.
  • Conceptual photography, on the other hand, is more about conveying an idea or concept utilising a single or series of images.

Narrative Photography

  • Telling a story through images requires a strong sense of visual sequencing and the ability to evoke emotions or actions.
  • Narrative photography generally tends to depict unfolding events, in similar fashion to a pictorial novel or film.
  • Photographer has full control over the ‘storyline’, choosing when the story begins and ends.

Conceptual Photography

  • Conceptual photography’s main focus is on the representation of ideas or concepts.
  • This could encompass a wide range of topics, from climate change to social injustices to human emotions.
  • Requires a high level of creativity and imagination as photographers work to translate abstract ideas into concrete images.

Techniques

  • Composition: Master the rule of thirds, frame within a frame, leading lines, use of depth etc. Every decision impacts the overall narrative.
  • Colour and lighting: These choices can drastically affect the mood of the photograph, thus influencing the narrative or concept.
  • Staging: Particularly in conceptual photography, photographers may stage scenes or use props to clearly communicate their idea.

Prominent Examples of Narrative and Conceptual Approaches

  • Robert Frank’s The Americans: This is an example of narrative photography where Frank captured post-war American society.
  • Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills: Sherman creates staged photos that place herself as the subject in various scenarios, typical of conceptual photography.

The Importance of Context

  • Background knowledge on the context of a photo series can contribute significantly towards understanding the narrative or concept.
  • Research and understanding of the broader context adds depth and interest for both the photographer and the viewer.

Remember that narrative and conceptual approaches are not limited to still images alone. They can also extend to video and other lens-based media. Developing a strong command over these approaches can greatly enhance your storytelling abilities in the field of photography and beyond.