Is "Flat lay styling" a thing?
I saw this term in a Leica training description "flat lay and styling" - I'd not heard of it before.
But its, for some at least, a real thing and is an approach suited to Instagram style images of items when trying to tell a story.
So presumably its got some good crossover with still life images too ( what was that posh word to describe that?)
Anyway "A flatlay is, at its most basic, a collection of items shot on a flat surface at a bird’s-eye view."
and
with a "focus on visual storytelling through flatlays and prop styling."
This article goes on to talk about backgrounds material and clutter - actually it seems worth a read.
But its, for some at least, a real thing and is an approach suited to Instagram style images of items when trying to tell a story.
So presumably its got some good crossover with still life images too ( what was that posh word to describe that?)
Anyway "A flatlay is, at its most basic, a collection of items shot on a flat surface at a bird’s-eye view."
and
with a "focus on visual storytelling through flatlays and prop styling."
This article goes on to talk about backgrounds material and clutter - actually it seems worth a read.
Quote:Why the need to tell a story. Is it a lack of interaction with real people. It might lopk clever but i sense someone trying to fill a void.
I don't believe , either, that photo's tell a story. They are what they are.
Colin.
I agree with you first point.....but......not your second.
Except for the portraits, all of my Street studies have a story to telll.....if you look for it.....it is what I look for, or, dis over during processing.
Hobbo
Not what they have in mind but of course photos can tell a story. It’s a large part of what photography is about.
All photos tell a story to a greater or lesser degree. Many can tell multiple stories, depending on how the viewer interprets what they are seeing, and indeed what they see.
The 'problem' is that many who view an image don't see anything at all. They don't posess the imagination to see deeper than just a snapshot.
The 'problem' is that many who view an image don't see anything at all. They don't posess the imagination to see deeper than just a snapshot.
Quote:All photos tell a story to a greater or lesser degree. Many can tell multiple stories, depending on how the viewer interprets what they are seeing, and indeed what they see.
The 'problem' is that many who view an image don't see anything at all. They don't posess the imagination to see deeper than just a snapshot.
You have hit the nail, right on the head there Saltire.
Hobbo
Of course photos tell a story, sometimes it's not a lot, sometimes it can be very deep.
And a series even more so. I agree about the lack of interaction these days (on a human to human basis without an electronic device between them) so using pictures is one way they feel able to communicate.
And a series even more so. I agree about the lack of interaction these days (on a human to human basis without an electronic device between them) so using pictures is one way they feel able to communicate.
Quote:of course photos can tell a story.
Spot on.
And it all hinges on the word "can".
To state, as is occurring in this thread, that images do or don't tell a story as a fact is a mistake.
It would be far more accurate to suggest that some images tell a story; others might not.
Unless, of course, you're one of those arty types who can seemingly read something into everything and can see a masterpiece in a paint spill.
Quote:Unless, of course, you're one of those arty types who can seemingly read something into everything and can see a masterpiece in a paint spill.
Back when I used to do my bandaged head pics I knew a chap who read all sorts of 'stuff' into those photos where actually all I'd done was wrap my head in a bandage - he wrote essays on the meaning of them!
I think that as religion declines we have to find other things to believe. People do believe that crystals can have healing properties. Lets not forget that experts have been fooled by artistic chimps. As humans we have a need to understand and explain. I would imagine there are more critics than artists out there, and each may differing explanations for the same work. If I miss the story in a photo, maybe I am concentrating on the elements.
Sorry if I ramble, just become an OAP. Colin
Sorry if I ramble, just become an OAP. Colin
Quote:
Quote:Unless, of course, you're one of those arty types who can seemingly read something into everything and can see a masterpiece in a paint spill.
Back when I used to do my bandaged head pics I knew a chap who read all sorts of 'stuff' into those photos where actually all I'd done was wrap my head in a bandage - he wrote essays on the meaning of them!
And all you were trying to get over was:
Quote:The 'problem' is that many who view an image don't see anything at all.
Well that’s gotta be me...
I like what I see in many images, but “meanings” must float over me...! I can appreciate a picture for its composition, lighting, skill/difficulty in capture, and...well...just looks interesting and colourful/attractive....but a “meaning” behind it...?Maybe that’s why I’m an engineer not an artist...!
I think that the story in a photo is concocted from imagination.
But a good story photo is concocted from enough shared visual clues that we all mostly imagine the same story.
Verbalizing that story with Arty words then can facilitate high brow discussion about the image, ,,,' derived from',,,,'childhood',,,,'memories',,,' naritive',,,,'evokes',,,,'genre',,, etc..
But a good story photo is concocted from enough shared visual clues that we all mostly imagine the same story.
Verbalizing that story with Arty words then can facilitate high brow discussion about the image, ,,,' derived from',,,,'childhood',,,,'memories',,,' naritive',,,,'evokes',,,,'genre',,, etc..
