I Want to Tell A Story

In the world of writing there are seven basic story archetypes:  

Overcoming

Rags To Riches

The Quest

Voyage

Comedy

Tragedy

Rebirth

Every successful written story will follow a format that uses one of these formulas. A photograph also tells a story, although, the visual photo story often is far more complex and more difficult to define and create because of the wide variety of visual opportunities. Factor in the photographers personal preferences and the numbers increase even more. But, not surprisingly, a visual story will often fit within one of the seven basic story archetypes. 

Discovering how to accomplish this comes with not only experience but a basic understanding of story telling techniques. If I could always define how this is done...well, I probably could write my own ticket as a photographer. As this has not happened yet speaks loudly, however, when I look back on some of my best photographs, I can often see how they begin to fit inside one of these story types. 

Interpretation of the visual signals is, of course, very subjective and open to the individuals personal experiences. Most of the time, visualizing the story within a photograph just happens, sort of subconsciously. You just know it and see it without really thinking about it. I suppose that is what separates a so-so photo from a good photo...and a good photo from a great photo. Images with powerful visual stories simply jump out at you like a slap in the face "wham!, demanding renewed and closer attention. A weak photo just sits there mumbling to itself and the viewer quickly loses interest and moves on.

Compositional techniques contribute to the overall impact, along with the use of color or Black and White, angles, lens selection, timing, and of course the big one, the effective use of light. Composition is what builds the structure of a photograph, Light is what builds the story. What narrates the story is the effective application of both. I'm going out on a limb here to take a chance, but I'd like to use a few of my favorite images and break them down to define what I perceive the story they have to tell.

Let's look at the image from above. I've used this image as an example on numerous occasions and for good reason; it's probably one of my top two or three favorite photo's of all time. Of the seven story archetypes, several could apply. Maybe The Quest might fit, or possibly Voyage, but when I really think about it, I believe Rebirth is probably the best fit. Certainly elements from all three apply, but simply from the visual story being told, Rebirth is by far the most logical fit simply because of the nature of the photo. Taken at first light on an October day, the first beam of light that illuminated the cluster of trees extending into the field, tells the story of a new day beginning. A single white faced cow standing in the highlighted area near the bottom left is facing the morning with stoic fortitude and the light fog drifting across and amongst the trees adds a element of mystery and uncertainty about the day. What is unique about this image is how darkness helps to define the light. Without the darkness, it's just another average photo of a Kentucky field. With it, the illuminated areas take on a greater importance and serves to pull the reader into the story.

Another one of my favorite photo's is this one taken on Shanty Hollow Lake just before sunrise. I do believe Voyage is the obvious choice of archetype although elements of The Quest can be seen. There is something compelling about this photo. Compositionally, it retains a powerful symmetry. The tops of the ridgeline are purposely cropped from view, yet allowed to flow as a reflection on the mirrored surface of the lake. Fog floating on silent currents of air drift low across the water and the soon to rise sun can just be identified by the reflective glow of clouds just above and behind the hidden horizon. The photo at once strikes a sense of adventure toward some unknown rendezvous, rekindling emotions from a distant past not unlike what Lewis and Clark must have felt during their Voyage of Discovery. Along with the adventure theme, there resides a layer of calmness, a serenity of purpose where the viewer hopefully becomes captured within the larger story that emanates from within their own dreams.

Black and white is a favorite format of mine as it removes the distraction of color and focuses almost entirely on story through composition, shape and form. This image of the gravel road leading to a farmhouse strikes at the heart of what story telling in a photograph is all about. The graphic use of leading lines and dramatic light draws the eye inward into the story. In this photo, I would interject another archetype theme: Coming Home. To me it is one of the great story lines of all time. Coming home and what it takes to get there. It could be tragic circumstances, it could be rebirth, it could be a voyage or a quest. The viewer gazing at this image might interject all of them based on their own experiences. The fence posts, the highlights across the tall grasses along the edge of the road, the farmhouse nestled amongst the trees, the dark texture of the overcast sky all contribute to the story. One can almost hear the crunching of the gravel underfoot as you walk down the road and feel the brisk nature of the wind as it shoves the clouds along. There is an element of anticipation, maybe even dread knowing just how close home is, yet it is somehow still far away. How long has it been? Continue? Turnaround? What to expect, only time will tell.

People convey a multitude of story telling opportunities within a photograph. Combine them with dramatic light and weather conditions, they will often provide some of the most compelling of visual stories. In the photo on the left, a homeless man strikes a reflective pose as he contemplates his situation. Rain had fallen, dark rolling clouds were boiling low across the sky, and street lights cast a reflective glare across the compound, all aiding the story of lost dreams, lost hopes. Taken from a lower perspective, the use a small aperture created the star-like reflective glow around the street lights. In a way, that starry glare casts a kind of hopeful atmosphere amongst the gloom of the situation. Sitting with a forward lean, he retains an element of contemplative defiance, a proudness of self where in spite of his circumstances, he knows he has value and is not yet beaten. This is a powerful image of the plight of a single person facing uncertain circumstances, yet someone who still clings to a deeper understanding of who he is and who he can become.

Often when I begin a walk with my camera, I look for a story to tell. Most of the time the story remains hidden but is almost always there, somewhere. As a photographer, I want to use my instincts and personal experiences to dig out and find that story, and use my skill as a visual artist to capture it in a compelling and truthful way. It's not easy and it takes a keen sense of purpose and drive to first discover it, flesh it out, then develop it into a simple form that actually makes sense. I say to myself, "I want to tell a story.." then ask myself one question, "Where is it?"

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BTC Bushcraft: Cedar Stool/Table - DIY Bow Saw - Camp Cooking Tongs - Sharpening Knife/Axe

 Cedar is a marvelously hardy wood and when a large cedar tree fell in the wooded area behind my place after a storm a few years ago it must have sat there for a good number of years before I paid much attention to it. It had fallen across the deer trail path blocking the way so one day I took my chain saw out there to clean up the path for easier walking. A few cuts later and I realized just how hardy that tree was. It's branches had kept the main trunk off the ground so it remained mostly dry and the years had seasoned it. Cedar is probably the most aromatic of all trees and this one still retained its distinctive woodsy aroma. For the past couple of years I have continued to cut small pieces ( and a few larger ones ) from the trunk. It seems none the worse for wear. A few of the larger pieces I cut into round slabs and used them as bushcraft projects making small campfire tables that can also double as a stool.

In this video you will see how I used ordinary tools to build these. I also used the collapsible DIY bow saw I recently made and you can see how it assembles and is used. I've made a couple of bushcraft spoons recently along with a spatula, but I wanted to make a set of camp cooking tongs. You'll see how I managed to do that in this video as well.

I've learned the hard way how dangerous a dull knife, or any cutting tool, can be. Sharpening a knife to a razors edge can be time consuming and there are differing ways to accomplish this. Seems everyone has their own tried and true, and some not so effective, methods to sharpen a knife. Through trial and error I've learned what works for me and in this video you will see how I manage this process.

Hope you enjoy this short bushcraft video. It was a lot of fun making it and doing all the crafty things in the process.

Beyond The Campfire Bushcraft - Building a Campfire Chair

 Even from an early age I've possessed a fascination with things rustic. Way back when I was in grammar school I read a true story about a man sometime in the late 1800's, who spent an extended time alone in the wilderness taking with him absolutely nothing...no clothes, no tools, no blankets, nothing. He made a bet with a friend saying he could survive for several months (I don't remember the exact length of time) with nothing. His friend thought he was crazy but went along with the bet and dropped him off on the edge of the deep woods. All he wore that day was a bathrobe which he promptly tossed back to his friend and trotted off into the woods. The story chronicled how he survived...which he did...and he met his friend at the same drop off point on the designated day months later, strong, healthy, and ready to collect on his bet. That story altered the course of a young boy's life, where the natural world suddenly became something big, exciting, and wonderful, a place to explore and to find adventure, and over the years I've spent countless hours canoeing, fishing, hiking, camping, exploring the wonders of the natural world,...all be it, fully clothed I might add.

In recent months I've embarked on several photographic projects, the most current being Adventure Photography - The Art of Being There, where I explored the natural world near my home and captured it on video and photographs.  It's still an ongoing project and you can watch the video's on this blog, however I've kicked off a new project where I use in the field skills to create and use rustic things from the natural world...Bushcraft, it's called...and I have a lot of ideas and excitement about this project. Although photography will be a part of this adventure, it is more about being there to enjoy what nature has to offer. 

The first project is making a Campfire Chair using a few simple and basic tools. It was a fun project. So please enjoy this video of the process I used to create this unique and useful campfire chair.