Sequential Photo Narratives

Sequences

A sequence is a series of events or items arranged in a specific order. For photo narratives, this means a collection of photographs that tell a story or convey a message, where each photo follows a logical progression to create a cohesive and engaging visual story. Sequences in photo narratives help to guide the audience through a meaningful and chronological progression of events which can create an interesting story.

Elements of Narrative Sequence

In an interesting story tends to follow a narrative arc. This means a few important story elements are included that take audiences on a journey and emotionally engage them. This is called an arc because an interesting journey is not straight from A to B. An arc represents the journey that the characters and the storyline go through, starting from a point of introduction, building up through various events and challenges, reaching a climactic moment, and finally concluding with a resolution.

Narrative Arc

Pro Edu (2023) "Ultimate Guide on How to Shoot Narrative Photography" URL

A narrative arc includes four main parts:

The Introduction
A Rising Tension
The Climax
The Resolution

Introduction

The introduction of a narrative establishes the backdrop for the characters, defines the setting, and sets the tone. This is where you provide your audience with contextual clues, such as props or visual elements in your photos, to indicate the time period, location, and weather. Additionally, it's important to consider how many characters are involved and their initial emotions as the story unfolds.

Rising Tension

During the rising tension, you introduce elements of drama or suspense to the narrative. Conflict begins to show, which could take place in various forms. This is when the audience becomes highly engaged and invested in your storyline.

Climax

The narrative arc climax is the height of the tension. Everything that has happened before this point adds up to answer any questions that the narrative has presented. In the majority of stories, typically a main character has to make a big decision or face the truth.

Resolution

At the end, it is important to provide your viewers with a resolution that brings a sense of ease and closure. This ensures that any tension arising from previous conflicts has been resolved, leaving the audience with a satisfying conclusion.

Kate Woodman Photo Series

While a sombre example of a narrative arc, Woodman's series shows examples of all of the narrative elements.

Which parts do you think represent each section?

Introduction
Rising Tension
Climax
Resolution

Wood, K. (n.d.) War Widow. URL

Film Scenes show Narrative Arcs

Films often follow the same narrative arc structure. While an entire film can follow this structure, so can individual scenes. A good film will follow a golden rule called "show don't tell" which is where the audience can identify, understand and feel the parts of the narrative without being told. This means that using screen grabs, we should be able to take the film scene and portray it as a photo narrative. See the examples below:

The Avengers (2012) Hulk Smash

Introduction

Rising Tension

Climax

Resolution

Joker (2018) Smile??

Introduction

Rising Tension

Climax

Resolution

Elvis (2022) 'Wiggle'

Introduction

Rising Tension

Climax

Resolution

Avatar: Way of Water (2022) Friendship

Let's do this one together

Introduction

Rising Tension

Climax

Resolution

Activity: Photo Narrative Film Scene

Now that we have practised turning a movie scene in to a photo narrative, it is time to create your own, this time taking the photos yourself.

Instructions

First, pick a film scene from above or choose one yourself on YouTube (however, you cannot spend more than 10 minutes looking for a film scene and it must be class appropriate).

TIP: A scene of 30 seconds to a minute will help you to tell a simple story that will be easier to show with photographs.

Using the snipping tool on your computer to create four screenshots from the film scene that suit each section:
-Introduction
-Rising Tension
-Climax
-Resolution
Create a documents folder within the subject folder on your computer, called 'Film Scene Recreate' and save the screenshots here.
Use a piece of blank paper to map out how you will re-create these four images in photograph form. You should consider the 'Make,' 'Method,' or 'Edit' decisions from 'AIMMEE' that relate to your series. You can hand draw this or go to kleki.com and draw there.
Recreate the four images in photograph form.
Create a subheading in your portfolio, called 'Sequential Narrative' and include your images and planning here.