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Tell Me a (Better) Story

In Storytelling, The Craft, The Life Creative, Thoughts & Theory by David27 Comments

Ask photographers (or God help you, the internet) what makes a good photograph and it won’t be long before someone says, “a good photograph tells a story.” I don’t think that’s true. Not always. I think there are spectacular photographs that tell no story at all. They leave an impression. They elicit an emotional response. Others provide information. And if …

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Your Most Powerful Photographic Tool

In Pep Talks, Storytelling, The Craft by David14 Comments

Among the first words I said at an exclusive little photography workshop on the east coast last year were: “I don’t give a sh*t about your photographs.” They were not my best-chosen words ever. But I got their attention, and that’s always half the battle. The other half of the battle was trying to convince them I wasn’t a jerk …

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Better Stories, Better Photographs.

In Storytelling, The Craft by David13 Comments

The most powerful photograph is the one that connects with both the heart and mind of the reader. It’s the image that our imaginations keep returning to, and keep asking questions about; the image that stirs something in our emotions. That captivation is what prolongs our experience of the photograph, it’s what grabs our souls and won’t let go. It’s …

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Tell Me a Story

In A Beautiful Anarchy, Storytelling, The Life Creative by David9 Comments

I just finished reading a book about the power of story. Another one. I keep coming back to this topic because I can’t escape the feeling that photographers are missing something. Sure, we acknowledge that some of the best photographs tell, or imply, a story. But it usually ends there. I think we can do better. The book, The Storytelling …

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Photographic Memories: Russia

In Life Is Short, Storytelling, Travel by David14 Comments

It was January 1992 and the Iron Curtain had fallen so recently we were all still blinking our eyes. The cold war was over and I was in Russia, shivering through one of the coldest winters of my life, brought there by idealism and delusions of Dr. Zhivago. I lived that winter in an apartment in Yaroslavl that was colder …

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Tell Stronger Stories

In Storytelling, The Craft, Thoughts & Theory by David7 Comments

Through the ages, myth and stories have been the primary vehicle for communicating meaning and truth. They are not merely the stuff of bedtime tales. The primary storytelling medium in our culture is the cinematic film, and given the billions of dollars attached to the film industry, and the royal status given to its stars, it should be clear how …

A World of Stories

In News & Stuff, Storytelling, Travel by David6 Comments

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” — Jawaharlal Nehru A couple months ago an incredibly enthusiastic team of storytellers approached me about getting on board with a new platform they were creating, a place to …