The Photograph as Storyteller: Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what people thought the story was. I wasn't feeling well, the result of an "airliner cold," but I thought...

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what people thought the story was. I wasn't feeling well, the result of an "airliner cold," but I thought some banter about a light-hearted photo might perk me up. Well, let me tell you, in short order someone posted a rather splenetic response, informing me that photos don't tell stories. Not wanting to throw cold water on the conversation, I responded that I didn't agree but the person was entitled to his opinion.

Not good enough! The writer wrote back, citing sources and broadening his argument in an attempt to completely discredit the notion that a photo could tell a story. As I said, I wasn't feeling well, so I wrote it off as the rantings of some sparrow-fart (a nod to Kurt Vonnegut for that descriptor) and tried to put it behind me.

But it nagged at me. I thought of the photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII, the Vietnamese girl running naked with festering burns caused by napalm, the recent photo of the Syrian child sitting bloodied and dazed in an ambulance. (I'm betting that every one of you knows exactly what photos I've just listed.) And I asked myself, "If those images aren't telling a story, then why have they become iconic?"

Then, on Tuesday evening, I attended my camera club meeting, and half of the meeting was dedicated to a "member critique," in which a panel of three of our better photographers sat and commented on images that members had submitted for evaluation. It's a really nice event, and everyone learns from it, whether they agree or disagree with the comments. And it happened: over and over, the panel members included an assessment of the photos' story-telling quality. Over and over, I heard, "This image tells a (You insert the adjective) story." Over and over, the panel members alluded to story telling as a normal and crucial element of their evaluation.

So here's my question--I know, I know, it's about time I got to my question--Do you think photos tell stories? Obviously, I do. Obviously, at least one person doesn't. What do you think?

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

Maybe the person that doesn't think photographs tell stories just can't read. Books don't tell stories either if you can't read them.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Yes, they do. They capture a moment in time and preserves it for future generations. Scenic photos captures nature and how she transformed the earth over many years. Advertisement photos tells us what is being sold at the moment. Portraits preserve what is ongoing in a person's life, graduation, birthday, wedding, one's friends etc. One can go on and on about the stories that photos tell. They do make wonderful memories and if memories are not stories in time then what is?

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

rdgreenwood wrote:

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what people thought the story was. I wasn't feeling well, the result of an "airliner cold," but I thought some banter about a light-hearted photo might perk me up. Well, let me tell you, in short order someone posted a rather splenetic response, informing me that photos don't tell stories. Not wanting to throw cold water on the conversation, I responded that I didn't agree but the person was entitled to his opinion.

Not good enough! The writer wrote back, citing sources and broadening his argument in an attempt to completely discredit the notion that a photo could tell a story. As I said, I wasn't feeling well, so I wrote it off as the rantings of some sparrow-fart (a nod to Kurt Vonnegut for that descriptor) and tried to put it behind me.

But it nagged at me. I thought of the photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII, the Vietnamese girl running naked with festering burns caused by napalm, the recent photo of the Syrian child sitting bloodied and dazed in an ambulance. (I'm betting that every one of you knows exactly what photos I've just listed.) And I asked myself, "If those images aren't telling a story, then why have they become iconic?"

Then, on Tuesday evening, I attended my camera club meeting, and half of the meeting was dedicated to a "member critique," in which a panel of three of our better photographers sat and commented on images that members had submitted for evaluation. It's a really nice event, and everyone learns from it, whether they agree or disagree with the comments. And it happened: over and over, the panel members included an assessment of the photos' story-telling quality. Over and over, I heard, "This image tells a (You insert the adjective) story." Over and over, the panel members alluded to story telling as a normal and crucial element of their evaluation.

So here's my question--I know, I know, it's about time I got to my question--Do you think photos tell stories? Obviously, I do. Obviously, at least one person doesn't. What do you think?

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what ... (show quote)

Of course photographs can tell stories. Some people don't seem to be able to get their head around the concept, usually indicating photos only capture a moment in time, nothing more. Perhaps it's a definitional thing and we need to discuss what telling a story actually means, and understand that it may vary in meaning somewhat from person to person. To me, iconic photos like the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima tells a story of bravery, sacrifice, and honor.

To tell a story a photo must evoke a response from from the viewer. Not ever photo tells a story, and some photos will evoke a strong response from some viewers and a tepid response from others.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Of course Photographs can tell stories, you mentioned several iconic photos and yes they do tell stories. Photographs can also cause emotions to be displayed by the viewer. I would just ignore the negative comments you received and just attribute those comments to a witless, ignorant, jerk!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Some photos do and some don't. The images to which you referred are story related photos. The photo from Italy that you posted does provide a setting in which a story could evolve. The Masonic Temple, possibly not.
--Bob

rdgreenwood wrote:

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what people thought the story was. I wasn't feeling well, the result of an "airliner cold," but I thought some banter about a light-hearted photo might perk me up. Well, let me tell you, in short order someone posted a rather splenetic response, informing me that photos don't tell stories. Not wanting to throw cold water on the conversation, I responded that I didn't agree but the person was entitled to his opinion.

Not good enough! The writer wrote back, citing sources and broadening his argument in an attempt to completely discredit the notion that a photo could tell a story. As I said, I wasn't feeling well, so I wrote it off as the rantings of some sparrow-fart (a nod to Kurt Vonnegut for that descriptor) and tried to put it behind me.

But it nagged at me. I thought of the photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII, the Vietnamese girl running naked with festering burns caused by napalm, the recent photo of the Syrian child sitting bloodied and dazed in an ambulance. (I'm betting that every one of you knows exactly what photos I've just listed.) And I asked myself, "If those images aren't telling a story, then why have they become iconic?"

Then, on Tuesday evening, I attended my camera club meeting, and half of the meeting was dedicated to a "member critique," in which a panel of three of our better photographers sat and commented on images that members had submitted for evaluation. It's a really nice event, and everyone learns from it, whether they agree or disagree with the comments. And it happened: over and over, the panel members included an assessment of the photos' story-telling quality. Over and over, I heard, "This image tells a (You insert the adjective) story." Over and over, the panel members alluded to story telling as a normal and crucial element of their evaluation.

So here's my question--I know, I know, it's about time I got to my question--Do you think photos tell stories? Obviously, I do. Obviously, at least one person doesn't. What do you think?

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what ... (show quote)

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Yes, they CAN tell a story, but not all do and not all have to. Sometimes a picture is just a permanent view at a point in time.

As Gertrude said, sometimes a rose is just a rose!

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Photos are a lot like other forms of art, whether it be sculpture, music, painting, etc., They can tell bits of stories, document instant events, entertain, evoke emotion. Certainly they tell stories. Not to difficult to see that for those that are not totally art illiterate. Not meant as a put-down either. Some people would just not get it. It is like understanding physics, some get it, others miss out. Different language.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

rmalarz wrote:

Some photos do and some don't. The images to which you referred are story related photos. The photo from Italy that you posted does provide a setting in which a story could evolve. The Masonic Temple, possibly not.
--Bob

I absolutely agree. The Masonic Temple photo is a closed moment. Now, if someone was holding a tin cup and standing in front of the Masonic Temple, we'd have a story.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

rdgreenwood wrote:

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what people thought the story was. I wasn't feeling well, the result of an "airliner cold," but I thought some banter about a light-hearted photo might perk me up. Well, let me tell you, in short order someone posted a rather splenetic response, informing me that photos don't tell stories. Not wanting to throw cold water on the conversation, I responded that I didn't agree but the person was entitled to his opinion.

Not good enough! The writer wrote back, citing sources and broadening his argument in an attempt to completely discredit the notion that a photo could tell a story. As I said, I wasn't feeling well, so I wrote it off as the rantings of some sparrow-fart (a nod to Kurt Vonnegut for that descriptor) and tried to put it behind me.

But it nagged at me. I thought of the photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII, the Vietnamese girl running naked with festering burns caused by napalm, the recent photo of the Syrian child sitting bloodied and dazed in an ambulance. (I'm betting that every one of you knows exactly what photos I've just listed.) And I asked myself, "If those images aren't telling a story, then why have they become iconic?"

Then, on Tuesday evening, I attended my camera club meeting, and half of the meeting was dedicated to a "member critique," in which a panel of three of our better photographers sat and commented on images that members had submitted for evaluation. It's a really nice event, and everyone learns from it, whether they agree or disagree with the comments. And it happened: over and over, the panel members included an assessment of the photos' story-telling quality. Over and over, I heard, "This image tells a (You insert the adjective) story." Over and over, the panel members alluded to story telling as a normal and crucial element of their evaluation.

So here's my question--I know, I know, it's about time I got to my question--Do you think photos tell stories? Obviously, I do. Obviously, at least one person doesn't. What do you think?

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what ... (show quote)

I can guess who that was without having looked at your post! He can only quote sources, often rather obscure, he never has an original thought of his own.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Absolutely! I use the term often, and if you need more validation beyond your club experiences, just check articles in magazines like Outdoor Photographer, or websites and books of successful pro's.

But is the point really whether one (or many) people dismiss the term? I've been ridiculed for using "thinking in black & white," yet that is another much used and proven concept.

What matters is if you are happy with your own images and if they are telling the stories you want them to. Or perhaps you enjoy a variety of responses and find it interesting or educational to learn what others connect with (or don't) in your work.

Regarding definition: story is also often used to just mean what the image depicts: a dead sunflower in snow is a story very different from a vibrant bloom in summer. One image presented in both b&w and color can be a story of shapes, shadows, textures vs. a story of an ephemeral moment of light and weather or nature.

Capturing Memories

GOOD photos tell a story AND make you feel something. (emotion) If they don't they are just a "pitchure" IMO

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A few articles:

http://petapixel.com/2016/06/27/6-tips-telling-stories-photos/

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/visual-storytelling/

http://theyellowsparrow.com/visual-storytelling-artists-whose-photographs-depict-stories/

http://www.lensculture.com/2014-lensculture-visual-storytelling-awards-winners

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CAS1951 Loc: San Diego

I agree with everyone, a good photo does tell a story--especially street photography. Most photography classes/workshops I have taken, stresses the storytelling.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

rdgreenwood wrote:

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what people thought the story was. I wasn't feeling well, the result of an "airliner cold," but I thought some banter about a light-hearted photo might perk me up. Well, let me tell you, in short order someone posted a rather splenetic response, informing me that photos don't tell stories. Not wanting to throw cold water on the conversation, I responded that I didn't agree but the person was entitled to his opinion.

Not good enough! The writer wrote back, citing sources and broadening his argument in an attempt to completely discredit the notion that a photo could tell a story. As I said, I wasn't feeling well, so I wrote it off as the rantings of some sparrow-fart (a nod to Kurt Vonnegut for that descriptor) and tried to put it behind me.

But it nagged at me. I thought of the photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII, the Vietnamese girl running naked with festering burns caused by napalm, the recent photo of the Syrian child sitting bloodied and dazed in an ambulance. (I'm betting that every one of you knows exactly what photos I've just listed.) And I asked myself, "If those images aren't telling a story, then why have they become iconic?"

Then, on Tuesday evening, I attended my camera club meeting, and half of the meeting was dedicated to a "member critique," in which a panel of three of our better photographers sat and commented on images that members had submitted for evaluation. It's a really nice event, and everyone learns from it, whether they agree or disagree with the comments. And it happened: over and over, the panel members included an assessment of the photos' story-telling quality. Over and over, I heard, "This image tells a (You insert the adjective) story." Over and over, the panel members alluded to story telling as a normal and crucial element of their evaluation.

So here's my question--I know, I know, it's about time I got to my question--Do you think photos tell stories? Obviously, I do. Obviously, at least one person doesn't. What do you think?

Earlier this week I posted a photo and asked what ... (show quote)

If someone says a photo does not tell a story is a person that is not a photographer. The only reason to take, keep, and display a photograph is to tell a story. Whether it be a simple photo of a flower, or a photo of a person sitting on the street, there was interest in the story of the subject when the photo was taken, and an interest in keeping the story alive forever. That is just my opinion, but I feel if someone taking a photo does not have a story, then that persons reason for photography is simply financial gain, and that is a story in itself.