Page 36 - FLIPMAG.NET

BUILD CONTEXT FROM
SHARED UNDERSTANDING
E WANDER
about on the
same planet,
each of us
W interacting with
it in our own way. As we do,
certain items and objects
that we all use in the same
way take on a particular
meaning within our shared
consciousness, and these
things can be used as a kind of
shorthand to represent more
complex ideas. A difficult
decision or uncertainty can be
CLIVE DOYLE
Above This image clearly shows a craftsman at work, but without
a prominent basket to add context we don’t know what he makes.
36 PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY
represented quite neatly by
a fork in the road, for example,
or a new beginning by a small
shoot peeking out of the soil.
It becomes a sort of language
of association, so instead of
being read through word
by word, left to right, all the
elements are viewed at once.
Their importance to what you
want to convey is dictated by
their prominence within the
frame – hide them in the
background and they can hint
at meaning, but bring them to
CLIVE DOYLE
TIP
BOOST YOUR
the fore and the meaning
becomes integral to the story. VOCABULARY
Context isn’t always Studying images is a great
universal. It is added by way to build your visual
a shared experience and vocabulary and improve
understanding. Social groups your storytelling
with different experience will imagery.
view these differently. A red
apple has connotations for
western cultures centred
around original sin and MIX CONTEXT TO
forbidden fruit, for example, CHANGE MEANING
that would be lost to viewers n You can combine
from other societies. elements to change
the context they add
Construct the layers to an image.
In a more subtle way, items n Running can be
can be used as building blocks
used to show health
with which to craft your
story. Keep an eye out for and vitality. Pop a
menacing figure in the
suitable things as you plan out background and the
your shoots, adding them in context changes.
bit by bit. Including old tools n Greenery can
on a bench near an item in suggest new
pieces, for example, will beginnings, but a
start to create the idea of structure reclaimed
something being made or by plant life can give
fixed. Add to that an ordered a dilapidated feel.
background of shelves filled n Fire can signify
with other items or parts and shelter and warmth.
you start to get the notion that Change what’s on
this might be a crafts person fire, though, and the
or artisan at work. meaning changes.