A picture is worth a thousand words. Something we’ve all heard and a phrase that motivates me behind the camera. I once read that photographic storytelling is capturing moments of interesting scenes that cannot be easily explained through words. It’s easier for me to show a sunset than to explain what it looks like, how it makes you feel or what it makes you remember.
As a creator, I constantly strive to tell great stories by understanding a brand or a subject’s personality and capturing these qualities and characteristics in images. Recently, “Makers”, my personal project featuring artists and creators doing what they love, had me in front of David Keith, artist and designer at Spex Wax. This is a great opportunity to share simple steps that I use in visual storytelling.
Artist David Keith of Spex Wax between bouts of grinding.
Introducing the subject: Meet David Keith. Every good story needs memorable characters and David did not disappoint. David started Spex Wax with the idea of upcycling old vinyl records and transforming waste into wearable art. I picked this photo because I’m intrigued by his casual vibe, eclectic workspace, one of kind glasses and the thoughtful focus in his eyes. This is the perfect way to start the story and engage the viewer.
David Keith in the Spex Wax shop working on a handmade pair of glasses.
Showing the environment: Step into David’s workshop. A cool and creative space that goes from artist workshop to band studio to opthamologist office depending on the need. I look for interesting angles to show the space and incorporate objects that are key elements of a brand. There are colorful crates of unplayable vinyl records waiting to begin their new life as eyewear. Task lighting so he can focus on intricate details and tools that are within arm’s reach. This overview image peaks interest and more details emerge the closer you look.
Hand shaping a one of a kind eyewear on the original belt sander he bought years ago. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Hand shaping takes time to master and David @spexwax does it mostly by feel.
Finding the details: Supporting a narrative is all in the details. I focus on the up close tasks to bring the viewer into the grit of David’s artistic process. I’m fascinated by expressive hands. Maybe it’s having grown up in a NY Italian family that gave me a love for people talking and working with their hands. David thoughtfully shapes each frame and only through his experience knows when the eyewear is ready for the next step. He knows the sound the tools make when a cut is going wrong or is finished, he knows how hot the frames needs to be to form the right shape. Look for details that tell the story of experience and the journey.
Heating the eyewear to form into custom shapes.
Drilling holes for the eyewear hardware.
In conclusion, I have an establishing shot introducing you to the subject. Followed by a shot showing the artist in their environment. I then move closer in for detail shots bring the viewer into the grit of the artistic process. I apply this to commercial work and individual photos as well. These basic steps work for me and help me tell a visual story. What other steps do you think help tell visual stories? Cheers!
Final frames after planning, gluing, cutting, shaping and finishing.