A Simple Exericse In Storytelling

Practice storytelling using this easy technique.

Storytelling Is A Muscle

Just like with everyhing else in life - it takes practice to become good at storytelling. Don’t let anybody fool you by telling you that you must be “born with a talent” to tell stories.

You don’t.

You just have to know how to do it and then consistently practice until you get better.

There’s plenty of ways to practicing storytelling, but I’ll share my personal favorite out of them all that’s easy, requires only a simple camera (or phone) and no editing whatsoever.

All you need is a subject.

Picking The Subject

You could pick the subject in two ways: Either find inspiration directly from the streets (stranger) or choose a friend or two to help you out. Whatever works for you.

Once you know who to ask, sit down with a pen and paper and figure out a simple storyline.

Writing The Story

The exercise goes like this: You tell a story in three frames.

Through these three frames, you will have a beginning, middle and end.

What those things are - is up to you. Here’s some inspiration:

Frame 1: A woman is strolling by the harbor and suddenly drops her handkerchief.

Frame 2: A sailor notices.

Frame 3: The sailor returns the handkerchief - the woman smiles.

Beginning, middle, end. We have a plot, an action and emotions - all in three frames. Sort of like a mini movie.

Don’t Overthink

It’s not supposed to be a masterpiece. Pick easy stories. Because the purpose is not to win a grand award in photography. The purpose is to practice storytelling.

By becoming good at storytelling using three frames, you will eventually become good at telling a story through one frame.

Mass Photograph For Best Practice

Write down 10 stories. Not just one but TEN. That way, you can use the same subject (or subjects) and shoot all of the stories in one day or a couple of hours.

Not only will you become good at storytelling, but you get to practice your craft as well (composing, using settings, lighting).

You Won’t Recognize Yourself In A Year

Imagine spending 2 hours shooting 10 stories just one a month.

10 stories x 12 months = 120 stories.

How many people do you personally know that tell 120 stories a year? Not many, most likely. Yet, it really is this easy.

Imagine how far you’ll get just by doing this one exercise once a month for a few hours.

Doesn’t hurt to try at least once, does it?

So get that pen and paper out and start planning!