The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs

Lesson 45. Telling Stories

Not every photograph tells, or even implies, a story, nor should they have to do so, any more than every book must be a novel. Some photographs are pure poetry, meant more to be experienced and felt than understood as a narrative. In English literature, both poetry and prose can be powerful, just differently so. So too do we make photographs for different reasons and in different ways. But story is powerful in a photograph, and learning to tell or imply a great story is as important in photography as it is in literature. However, being able to use the camera well no more guarantees an ability to tell a story with it than being able to write well means you can write a great story. In the next lesson I’ll walk you through ...