Showing and Telling: Mastering the Art of Visual Storytelling
By Juliet Reynolds
Knowing how to marry the skill of storytelling to a visual medium is an important tool for every artist to have in their toolbox, whether you are a photographer, filmmaker, designer, illustrator, and so on. This guide seeks to cover your understanding of the fundamentals of different visual mediums, the utilization of composition and color, the identification of your narrative, and the importance of post-production. Let’s dive in!
Photo by Natalie Wheeler | Contagion Media
Defining Visual Storytelling and Understanding the Fundamentals
Visuals allow an audience member to connect deeper to an art piece through conveyed emotions, ideas, and narratives. No matter your discipline or technique, the principle remains the same. Identify which visual medium best speaks to you in order to best speak to your audience.
Once you have established your chosen medium (photography, film/video, design, fashion, animation, graphic design, etc.), from there you can best pinpoint how to utilize composition and color to convey your story and desired emotional message.
What is the goal of visual storytelling? To leave a lasting impression on the audience.
The Basics of Visual Composition Techniques for Impactful Storytelling
A wonderful framework for the basis of visual composition comes from author Bruce Block’s seminal book, The Visual Story. [Tip: books are a wonderful tool for expanding your understanding of visual storytelling!]
Block boils down visual composition to seven foundational points:
Photo by Natee Meepian | Adobe Stock
Space
Line
Shape
Tone
Color (expanded upon below)
Movement
Rhythm
Digging deeper into these elements reveals key concepts such as:
The Rule of Thirds
Leading lines
Perspective
Framing
Negative space
Camera shots and angles
And so on.
Be purposeful in how you apply these elements to your art, each will combine with one another to guide the viewer’s eye through your piece and story. Your intention in creating your visual art will translate to an audience and give the ability to better connect to your desired narrative.
Utilizing Color Theory for Emotional Resonance
When composing your visuals with storytelling in mind, color plays a vital role. Understanding basic color theory will aid you in establishing specific tones, moods, and feelings. For instance, warm colors (red, yellows, oranges) evoke energy and passion, feelings like anger and love. Cool colors (blues, purples, greens), suggest calm and tranquility, and translate into sadness, isolation, and anxiety. Keeping this purposefully in mind will elevate your ability to visually convey a story rich with emotion and depth.
For more information on the use of color, read “The Meaning & Symbolism of Color in Visual Art”
Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels | Canva
Identifying Your Narrative and Personal Thematic Statement
Even with an adept understanding of the visual composition techniques discussed above, without a clear reason behind your storytelling, your ability to effectively connect to an audience might… flop.
Identify your personal thematic statement. A thematic statement is a powerful, effective message intended by the author to be found in their work, and the same kind of message should be found through your visuals—and in yourself.
In order to really identify the story you are trying to visually tell, ask yourself these guiding questions:
“I create art because/about…”
“When I create this piece, I think/feel…”
“When people see my work, I want them to think/feel…”
“I want people to take from my work the theme of…”
“My personal thematic statement is…”
Clarifying your own emotions and themes when creating helps establish a clear, rich narrative to translate to your audience. Keep your thematic statement in mind while composing your visual art and you will be well on your way to mastering visual storytelling.
Photo by Framestock | Adobe Stock
Post Production: Refining the Story
The storytelling process doesn’t end when the visuals are created; post-production is a critical phase where your narrative truly comes to life. Whether you are editing photographs, videos, or digital designs, post-production allows you to refine your work, enhance its emotional impact, and ensure it aligns with your thematic statement.
By mastering these key aspects of visual storytelling, you can create powerful, engaging narratives that captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide will stick as a reminder that the most effective visual stories are those that combine technical skill with genuine emotion and creativity. Experiment, create, feel, and push the boundaries of your chosen visual medium. If you are willing to put in the time, practice, and consistency, stories that truly resonate, empower, and inspire will be right around the corner. Best of luck on your journey!
Edited by KBR on December 19, 2024
