Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still
Dorothea Lange
A still image freezes time for a fraction of a second. Life stands still, and we don’t know what happened next. But a movie, while in reality a fast-changing sequence of still images, shows us life in motion. Is that an easier way to tell a story? Perhaps; however our imaginations alone can often create multiple stories out of a single image. And we aren’t constrained by anyone else’s ideas about what the story should be, we are free to interpret the image as we choose.
But does every picture tell a story? No, not necessarily, or at least, some do so more powerfully than others. For me the photographs that are most often likely to suggest a story are those of people, especially candid shots. I know nothing about their lives, but I can wonder.
How did they come to be here?
Where are they going and why?
What is good about their life and what challenges do they face?
Story-telling
For this week’s Lens Artists challenge Sofia has set us the theme of ‘Cinematic’. She reminds us that we can create a cinematic feel in our photos through ‘camera angles, bold and high-contrast colours, light, locations’. I agree, but ever-contrary I decided in my response to concentrate only on the story-telling aspect of the cinema. Because however great a film looks, if it doesn’t tell a good story it won’t hold our interest for long. And also (I confess) because it gives me a chance to share some of my favourite people shots. Yes, you will probably have seen a few of these previously but others I’m sure I am sharing for the first time.
To add a bit of fun I’ve tried to come up with captions that sound like film titles. But perhaps you can think of other, better ones? If any of these shots suggests a movie title to you, please let me know in the comments!
My feature photo really is from a film, by the way. I was out for a walk in Brick Lane a few years ago, with Margaret from ‘From Pyrenees to Pennines’ when we spotted a film being shot, and these were the actors. It was probably just a student film but it was still a bit of excitement to see them in action!
‘Into the mist’
Taken on Rialto Beach, Olympic NP, Washington State
‘Is anyone listening?’
Taken in Shoreditch, London
‘In step’
Taken in the Jardin Tino Rossi, Paris
‘The conversation’
Taken in Tallinn, Estonia
‘No regrets’
Taken in Hanoi, Vietnam
‘Woman of mystery’
Taken in Santiago, Chile
‘After the show was over’
Taken in Soho, London
‘An unexpected visitor’
Taken in Hoi An, Vietnam
‘Separation’
Taken in Hoi An, Vietnam
‘It started with a kiss’
Taken in Tallinn, Estonia
‘The minstrel’
Taken in Greenwich Village, NYC
‘The tailor’
Taken in Bandipur, Nepal
‘I was a walker’
Taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico
11 Comments
Sofia Alves
I love your captions and the photos you paired them with. Maybe I’m strange but a film can still hold my interest if it’s just beautiful….! Your photos hold my interest too, especially The Tailor. Awesome shot!
Sue
Love your film title captions with your selected images, Sarah! You have always show us some great people shots
margaret21
I obviously recognised your header image even before I’d properly opened the post! You got a great set of head shots there! This was a great idea for a post. When you have the films complete, I think I’ll head along to I Was a Walker and The Conversation first …
Terri Webster Schrandt
Hi Sarah, I love the journey your stills took us on. Beautifully done!
I want to make you aware that while I can comment on your posts on my computer (I do so through the notifications portal), I cannot comment via Jetpack app. If I try to read I can, but it shows your comments are closed. Also, your posts show up as “Someone posted on Travel with Me…” Like I shared with Egidio, you might want to check your settings. Who knows what’s going on with WordPress ?
Anne Sandler
Great take on the challenge. I really liked your “No Regrets” image. Well done!
Monkey's Tale
I can imagine a story for each. My favourites are the little old women – mystery and surprised. Maggie
Tina SchellTina Schell
Some beautiful images this week Sarah, I can see why you wanted an opportunity to showcase people! I especially liked your B&Ws. I found myself drawn to the woman in Vietnam. I must admit your caption to me didn’t fit the image. To me it seems the woman is so sad and the photograph behind her speaks to some terrible loss. But that’s the beauty of a great image, it causes the viewer to think about the subject in a deeper way. Anyway, apologies for my tangent, your post is especially wonderful this week.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Well done, you have some wonderful images here. The conversation and lady of mystery <3
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ritva 🙂 I confess both I and my husband were so intrigued by that ‘lady of mystery’ that we spent most of our coffee break at a neighbouring café table trying to get surreptitious photos of her!
Anonymous
Beautiful collection. I love how you capture people, Sarah. For this blog, I have to open it on the web in order to comment, whereas your other post allows me to comment in notifications.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback though I wish I knew who you are 😀 And I have no idea why one post would allow you to comment in Reader while another doesn’t, as I approach all of them in exactly the same way. But my posts are designed ideally to be read on the website so I’m glad you were able to do that!