10 Themes of Story Telling

Mood

Figure 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Mood "conveys atmosphere, tone or emotion".In order for a photographer to speak to a observer they must create a certain mood to really demonstrate what the image is trying to imply. The mood can be set through varies types of lighting, focus, color tone etc. For example in Figure 1 it's evident that this picture portrays the horrors of domestic violence. We see the absence of color not only gives it an eerie mood, but we see that the blood on the women is the only visible color, other colors would only distract a viewer in what is taking place. The photograph also has a girl who is covering the injured women, the child symbolizes innocence while a man holds a knife in the forground is placed to express transgression.The clenched hand with a knife conveys the true brutality of closed doors, for this reason the photo's setting is in a house, where there are no witnesses to this tradgity. The lighting seems to be dark around the edges and bright in the center of the photo, so we are forced to focus on the bloody women and the child.

Setting

Figure 2

Setting is "a location or an environment". The setting plays a large role in what a photographer is pursuing to capture.Setting will help to determine the focus in a photo. For instance in Figure 2 we see the mood of the image is relaxing, this is due to its setting on a beach. We find that the clear sky gives us a feel of tranquility. The palm trees and the small house lay on the rule of thirds giving the picture some bright colors to add to the  blue sky and white sanded beach.We think of paradise when viewing this picture, there is no commotion or over crowded objects and the lighting makes it appear warm.

Backstory

Figure 3

Backstory is "A history that promotes fuller understanding of the narrative". There are certain object in a photograph in which we find and relate specific memories or thoughts to them, this giving the object a story or a history.For example in Figure 3 we see the formation of ice flakes. This automatically makes the audience relate this photograph to winter. We see the beauty of the cold  weather and how it may be gentle. A history is born of all cold winters of the audience due to the photos backstory.

Goal 

Figure 4

A goal is "whatever the character is pursuing". To make the goal apparent you must capture the action of someone or something. For a subject to be completing a task, the photographer must portray both the character and action.The way the photographer sets up a goal really sends a message to the audience of the opinion of the action. In Figure 4, we see the subject in the forground and the action in the back ground. This photograph focuses on the character due to the shallow focus of the girl and the blurred piano and sheet music.

Figure 5

Time

Time "represents the time of day in the story". The time in a photograph is important to what the image is trying to express. If the photo is completely focusing on time, it will portray certain times in positive, natural or a negative way.Time may not only be the hour of the day, but it can also mean the time setting, weather its in the past or the future, certain goals and back stories will help to express time  Figure 5 shows the marvels of not only night, but how the lights affect the darkness of the city. 

Figure 6

Character 

Character "can be anyone or anything". A character is usually expressed with objects that tell something about the character. The character's traits can be noted by the mood or the action that the character is completing. For example in Figure 6 we see a women brushing a horse. We can assume she is an experienced horse rider and lives somewhere in the country due to the background. We find her expressions to be joyful so are able to conclude that she really cares for horses. 

Obstacle

Figure 7

Obstacle is "Anyone or anything in the characters way". An obstacle is presented to a character in order to the make the photograph both interesting and appealing. This helps to add a specific message that the photographer is trying to get across evidently. In Figure 7 we see that the character is dog and the obstacle is the fence in front of it. The fence helps create a story that the dog is itching to be free to maybe be with it's owner but is instead bound to the backyard and left alone with no one for company.

Relationships

Figure 8

Relationship "is a relationship between anyone or anything". Relationship also helps to provide a story to a photograph as well. The relationship can link any to things and make allow the audience to think of them in a whole or in a togetherness aspect.In Figure 8 we see the common romantic relationship. The photograph is not trying to express a man and a women but instead a couple. The lighting adds to the photo by giving it a more joy look.

Unknown

The unknown "can be anything unexpected or a twist". The unknown gives photographers the creativity room to do whatever they want. It gives the changes to surprise the audience and create unique styles that can be out or the normal. It can often make the reader wonder what they are looking at. In Figure 9 we see what looks like bended mirrors, but it is actually the engine of an motorcycle.This gives a perception that we would have never seen with just are normal vision.