Relationship Between Your Photos

BONUS PHOTO CHALLENGE | Look through old photos, then take some new ones and put together a series of images that show an obvious through-line (around 5-7) and that stand out to you.

Take some time to note what connection each images has with the other. Look at similar color tones, lighting, contrast, composition, etc.

Share these images on our group Facebook page and tell us your findings.

Just like with people and the photography community, creating a relationship between your photos is what makes you recognizable and a master of your craft. Shooting with intention creates a connection between your photos that is literally creating consistency, balance, and cohesiveness.

While it matters to love what you shoot, you also want to be mindful of your purpose. If you’re going out to shoot sunset, you’re aiming for color/intensity in the sky. If you’re going out in moody weather, you’re looking for drama/texture. If you’re going out just for a walk with your camera, think about the point: city life? the countryside? the season? solitude?

When you place your images side by side, you should immediately see your through line, and furthermore, if you’re being intentional, you should see a balance as well. This lends to a form of control in your photography. You’re allowing trust to form for your instincts and your viewers, because you are controlling yourself, your intention/purpose, and where/why you’re pointing the camera.

The cohesiveness that you’re aiming for lends itself to storytelling. The strongest element in improving your photography (next to light) is telling a story with your photos. A photo needs to say something to the viewer, to draw them in and make them wonder. People look at images that are interesting, so it’s your job to unpack what makes them interesting. Look at some photos that you love, what components are present, what can you tell from the photo, how did the photographer shoot it, edit, and what is he or she saying about the photo?

If you’re a landscape photographer, think of what message you’re relaying to others: to get outside, explore new places, bringing peace and motivation into people’s lives, allowing others to aspire to what you do or where you are, and even emotionally resonating with those who might have a personal connection to the location. Nobody else sees the world in exactly the same way you see it, this is what can make your photography special. Communicating not only what you see, but how you feel about your subject produces more interesting photographs.

The creation of landscape storytelling can be the key to understanding your own interpretation of the world and in finding context to existence, as well as a personal connection with the land. However, telling a story with the use of landscapes can often be a challenge. The aim of landscape storytelling is to unravel the elements within the reality of nature itself and to display these visually and in a way that is unique to you. While I wouldn’t call myself a landscape photographer, I do love photographing landscapes. If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll see shots of the wide landscape, but you’ll see a lot of details and people in the landscape if possible. This is something I regularly do and am passionate about out in nature.

Making photos which communicate more than what something looks like takes practice. Express your experience. Your relationship with and connection to your subject.

Telling the story of how you see the world must be an intentional pursuit. Be mindful of your message before you pick your camera up. Without doing this you will likely be taking photos that anyone else with a camera can make.

Take a little time to observe a situation and consider how you can best make a connection. This takes practice.

Some of these ideas may be challenging or seem rather abstract. Build a habit of connecting with your subjects. Over time you will see your photographic style develop. You will become more creative and your photographs become more appealing.