The Process of Telling a Story

"For you specifically, I just love your storytelling style, maybe you could discuss your process of how you take a shot, or you could even share your thoughts on the project, whatever you wanted! Lemme know what you think, and we can discuss further!!"-Yosef Adest

Yosef asked me if I would contribute a piece on how I go about Storytelling when creating an image.  I was flattered that he asked and also that he would ask for a specific technique or advice concerning a particular style. I do like to tell a story with my photography and often try to think beyond the obvious theme/challenge.  For instance if one thinks of love, many images immediately come to mind.  Hearts, roses, romantic couples, child/parental bonds all come to mind.  For the "Love" challenge last year I choose to ignore the obvious and looked around my home at an example of true love.  I had to look no further than one of my children with the dog or cat.  This photo captures 11 year old Oszkar the dog and 10 year Liam together.  My sons have not know life without either of their two pets and the comfort and love they share for each other is felt.  So my first suggestion to telling a story is to look beyond the obvious. 

"Love" 2014

Before creating a photo I often brainstorm with myself several different ideas.  When it comes time to photograph it's a somewhat private process for me, which can be tricky if I am working with others.  That's why standing in for the subject in a self-portrait becomes useful as you see in the following images.  I know what I want the model to do and don't have to pre-arrange a meeting time and have my handy remote that is very useful for self-portraits or multiple exposures.  The downside is not knowing what the pose looks like in camera, and focusing so it takes practice.  Below is a sampling of that and some of photos lend themselves to a story or a question as to what is going on in the image. A self timer was used in some images and I love my remote!

"Silhouette" 2015

"Greetings from Point of Rocks" 2015

"Action" 2014

"Movie" 2014

"Books" 2014 

"A Painting" 2014 Recreation of Andrew Wythe's "Christina's World"

At some point you are lucky and happen upon a scene at the perfect moment.  I had photographed this place once before then revisited it for this theme.  I shot this church and it felt too cramp so I ended up going back one more time at a different time of day and was so glad I did due to the light.  Often you know when you have captured it, but sometimes I go home and tweak it in Photoshop.

"Contrast" 2014 Some say this reminded them of Hitchcock

"Stairs" 2014

"Black &White" 2014

October was a blur....

October was just a blur....We were able to take Rascal to see the property and he gave his paw of approval.  He was somewhat anxious until he was able to get out and sniff around on a walk. Lots of deer poop and other scat to sniff. 

We made some makeshift dog gates from our cots to keep him inside.  It was a chilly weekend. 

Entrance to the property. I just want people to know it's loved. 

I painted the two doors while we were there with some leftover paint.

Front door

Got the gas lantern started.

Ryan worked on the picnic table until I told him it was time to head home. 

Fresh paint...not my favorite color choice but it will do for now. 

The next time we visited we brought Ryan's mother and sister to see the place.  It was a family reunion weekend so Liam came with us as well.  Chestnut trees were planted and we were able to check out the driveway project and expansion.  Justin-Time Excavations has done a wonderful job smoothing our the driveway putting in culvert pipes for drainage, creating a parking pad, and taking out some trees.  We were both surprised and please how they neatly piled up the tree debris. 

Aunt Kristine was able to visit and help plant trees along with Annie. 

Andrea, Liam and Ryan

Proud homeowners.

Ryan has been up twice since and was able to take more pictures of the driveway renovation for me. It's nearly finished and I am anxious to see it.  The leaves have been glorious and the weather fairly mild but I suspect the next time we return it will be a bit colder. Next up: a gate, an outhouse and maybe a wood burning stove. 

Looking down the driveway with new gravel.

Parking pad off to the right side of the cabin.

Mice got into the TP.  
I knew I had accidentally left it out.  
I usually store it in a metal tin.  

End of September

Some observations from our visit to the property  and cabin on Sunday, September 30.  I cleaned some vines and briers while Ryan started to build a picnic table. 

We both took time to take in nature watching the nuthatches, mushrooms and the beginning of the autumn leaves changing. 

I found a variety of mushrooms. 

Ferns among the leaves.

Watering can that acts as our sink and a golfball like mushroom. 

The Little House in the Woods

The Little House in the Woods

We aren't quite sure what to call it yet, but I'm sure we will come up with something. 

On September 1, 2023 after many years of searching we settled on a hunting property which came with a bonus "dry cabin".  We only later learned that "dry" meant no plumbing.  The electricity was taken down last year which is really unfortunate. Our first order of business (other than prepping for deer season and cleaning out the cabin) is to have an excavator level out the driveway and discuss with the electric company if we can bury the electric line at the same time. 

Many people have been curious about our adventure, so here is a brief overview of the last month. 

Day 1: Closing day with our acquaintance from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, Brian Masemer (ReMax Realty in Martinsburg, WV).  We drove to the property that night just to soak it in.

Day 2: We shared the property with our younger son, Luke, for the first time.  It also happened to be my birthday.  We shoveled bird and mice poop for hours filling four large trays bags.

Day 3: Ryan and I stopped along the way to pick up two shop vacs from a woman for $10.  It was the best use of a ten dollar bill ever. We continued to clean out the cabin interior. 

The place was empty except for discarded lumber, an old wheelbarrow with a family of mice living in squalor, and lots of leaves, acorns and poo.

Luke and me after a long days work on our first clean out day. 

Day 4: Ryan's father wanted to see the place so we managed to squeeze in a visit on a busy weekend. Our property is about 1 hour and 45 minute drive from home. 

Eating the Best Burger in WV at Farmers Daughter in Capon Bridge.

Introducing Grandad to the place.

The door lock. 

Here are some images from our first visit to the property with our eldest son Liam.  He went with us on all the initial visits. 

Looking down the driveway facing NW.

Our first visit. 

Side door

Liam in the loft. 

All that trash in outside now.

Day 5: We ventured back to the cabin this past Saturday in the rain.  I am happy to report that it is indeed a "dry cabin" and there did not appear to be any rainwater leaks.