Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography: A Fresh Approach to Making a Living as a Photographer

241 Pages·2022·39.284 MB·English

by  Mike Davis

Creating Visual Narratives
Through Photography
This book provides photographers with the foundation to craft more com-
pelling photos from concept all the way through to creation and distribu-
tion, on the path to making a living.
Based on real-life practice and experience, former National Geographic
and White House visual editor, Mike Davis, takes readers on a journey
starting with addressing the motivation behind an image and how this
determines the rest of the creative process. He goes on to articulate best
technical practices to create the narrative through photo composition and
what to do with your work after the photos are completed. Each section
offers exercises for applied learning and a series of appendices cover assign-
ments structures, a compilation of critical words and concepts, a compre-
hensive resource guide of organizations, competitions, grants, collectives
and agencies, book publishers and printers and more.
This is an ideal resource for students and practitioners alike to gain a
more informed understanding of photographic expression and learn how
to effectively execute these visions.
Mike Davis is a visual consultant, editor, author, photographer and profes-
sor emeritus. A visual leader who has worked with hundreds of photogra-
phers independently and on multiple staffs, Mike taught visual storytelling
courses at Syracuse University and directed The Alexia Grants. He was
twice named picture editor of the year, has been on various workshop and
review faculty. He has edited more than 40 books.
All photographs in this book were made by the author.

Creating Visual Narratives
Through Photography
A Fresh Approach to Making a
Living as a Photographer
Mike Davis
Cover image: © Mike Davis
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Mike Davis
The right of Mike Davis to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted
or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
ISBN: 9781032262864 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781032262857 (pbk)
ISBN: 9781003287544 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003287544
Typeset in Bembo
by codeMantra
For my parents, Jerry and Erma.
They would have been proud.
For my children, Holly and Ben,
for enduring my absence.
For grandsons, Xavier, Jack and Niko,
for helping me see the world anew.
For my wife, Deb, for uplifting me, always.

Contents
Preface x
SECTION 1
Why Do We Make Pictures? 1
Section 1.0 Introduction 1
Section 1.1 The Spectrum of Why 4
Section 1.2 How Do We Experience Photographs? 10
Section 1.3 The Milking Stool, or Three More Things 13
Section 1.4 Complex Simplicity; Simple Complexity; Perfectly
Imperfect 15
Section 1.5 This Is Not About Style 17
Section 1.6 So Many Ways to Express the Why 19
Try This: Change Your Why 20
SECTION 2
Photography’s Means of Expression 22
Section 2.0 Introduction 22
Section 2.1 Achieving High Moment Value 23
Section 2.2 The Technical: Beyond Knobs, Dials and Sliders 26
Section 2.3 Seeing and Expressing with Light 32
Section 2.3 Color – See, Feel, Interpret 39
Section 2.5 Distance as Voice 45
Section 2.6 Composition – Order from Chaos 48
Section 2.7 Ditch Rules, Rise above Clichés 57
Try This: With Camera in Hand 60
SECTION 3
You Make Photographs Engaging 62
Section 3.0 Introduction 62
Section 3.1 You Are Your Photographs 63
viii Contents
Section 3.2 Know What Precedes You 67
Section 3.3 Step Away from Your Comfort Zone 69
Section 3.4 Achieve Substantive Work 72
Section 3.5 Enmesh Yourself 74
Section 3.6 Earn Trust 77
Section 3.7 Incorporate the Universal 80
Section 3.8 Anticipate or Miss It 82
Section 3.9 Hello Serendipity 84
Section 3.10 Express Time like a Wizard 85
Does Your Seeing Change Over Time? 90
Section 3.11 See the Music 92
Section 3.12 What about Ethics? 93
Try This 97
SECTION 4
How to Select and Sequence Your Photos 98
Section 4.0 Introduction 98
Section 4.1 How to Select Your Best Photos 99
Section 4.2 How to Sequence Photos 103
Visual Variables of Sequencing 105
Section 4.3 Variables for Different Uses 113
Try This 116
SECTION 5
Creating Visual Narratives 117
Section 5.0 Introduction 117
Section 5.1 What to Create, What to Call Them? 118
Section 5.2 Setting an Effort in Motion 127
Section 5.3 How to Know If It’s Worth Doing 130
Section 5.4 Considerations of How to Approach Creation 131
Section 5.5 Creating the Work 134
Section 5.6 Realizing the Effort, Start to Finish 139
Section 5.7 How to Pitch Your Effort 141
Who to Pitch to? 142
Try This 147
SECTION 6
What It Takes to Make a Living 148
Section 6.0 Introduction 148
Section 6.1 Defining Your Path 148
Contents ix
Section 6.2 The Mother Ship – Your Web Site 155
Section 6.3 To Social Media, or Not 158
Section 6.4 Promotional Materials a Must. Maybe 161
Section 6.5 Make a Photo Book? 164
Section 6.6 Enter Competitions? 169
Section 6.7 Apply for Grants, Residencies? 173
Section 6.8 Work with a Business? 176
Section 6.9 Get a Job? 181
Try This 188
Conclusion: The Inability To Not 190
Acknowledgments 191
Appendix A: Self-Assignments 193
Appendix B: Visual Vocabulary 206
Appendix C: Resource Guide 212
Index 221