How To Tell Stories With Images — Minority Nomad

Savannah Herald

2 months ago

Krakow Poland

There’s no barrier to entry in photography. Especially in today’s world with high-quality camera gear that’s affordable, a culture starved for photography, and ample travel opportunities. But what comes with this openness are the pitfalls of privilege. The disregard for the human condition and a sense of privacy. I’m not going to tell you what to do and not. I’m going to invite you to think about your action and develop a personal code of conduct. 5 things you keep in mind at all times when shooting.

1. Never shoot children without the parent’s permission or showing them the images.

2. Always patronize homeless people and vendors you shoot.

3. Never invade someones personal space when they have a reasonable expectation of privacy like in their homes.

4. Take no for an answer. If they say no, smile, thank them, and leave.

5. Never sell images when the person is identifiable without their permission.

PRACTICE TIP: Start with something simple. This is something I wouldn’t want people doing to me or my family. From there branch off to the areas of legality. Then go into the realm of creative expression. This is entirely subjective but a solid place to start.

Gordon Parks said, “The subject matter is much more important than the photographer”. As a photographer, I’m stuck between two generations. I grew up in a darkroom processing images. Shooting on 35mm film. Smelling chemicals and having my heartbroken discovering I overexposed the perfectly composed shot. I’m also a product of the digital age. The days of 64gb memory cards and burst shooting. Built-in light meters and grids. Of the “follow me” and curated color palettes of Instagram. And it’s coming from these two worlds that give me my perspective on photography.

We all have a story to tell. In your work, you get to decide what that story is. From the beauty of the Thai Islands to the pain of Skid Row Los Angeles, the world needs diverse perspectives. Let’s give it to them.

RESOURCES

Note on these resources. This is NOT meant to be a complete listing. I have hundreds upon hundreds of sites, videos, articles, books, and courses I’ve gone through over the years. Many I still refer back to. The key is ALWAYS continue learning. Trying new techniques and styles. These are some recommendations to get your started on your journey.

Others Photographers to Check Out (Including those linked above)

YouTube Tutorials

https://youtu.be/2Ums5UwsVa0