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Imagine Culture Contest’s

Storytelling through Photography: Helpful Tips

Planning to submit a photo to the Imagine Culture contest? Check out these tips from

documentary photographer, Colin Boyd Shafer, who just finished a year-long project

called Cosmopolis, in which he photographed someone from every country in the world

who now calls Toronto home.

View contest details and submit your photo at: http://passagestocanada.com/imagine-

culture-contest/

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It is important to keep in mind that you are not just taking a photograph for this contest; you are

telling a story. This means that you should give a lot of thought to both the photograph and the

200-word caption.

Things you do need:

time to take the picture and write the caption

a story that you want to tell

Things you do not need:

fancy camera equipment or editing software

professional experience

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DO YOU WANT TO PHOTOGRAPH A PERSON?

Tip #1:

Spend time listening. The viewer will appreciate a photo that shows that you really had a

connection with the subject in the photo. It will also ensure that you are respecting the person in

the photograph and telling their story accurately. Avoid stopping a stranger on the street,

snapping their photo quickly and leaving. Spend time with the person you are photographing.

Caption: Here is a portrait of Eli. He is a 90-year-old guitar teacher who came to Canada from

Austria to escape the Holocaust. Eli and I needed to spend a lot of time talking in his living

room, and getting comfortable with each other. After that we decided to go upstairs and take the

picture in the studio where he teaches guitar.

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Tip #2:

Take the person’s portrait in a creative way that expresses their personality and story. It may

help to include a little bit of the surrounding environment in the photograph to give context.

Caption: Soupie was born in Laos. When she first arrived in Canada she remembers seeing the

Toronto Maple Leafs, but not knowing what they were. Now she is a huge fan.

*Notice that I took this portrait through the window. The reflection adds value to the image, and

symbolizes the fact that she is reflecting on her past. Also, the Maple Leafs jersey connects the

viewer with Soupie’s love for the team.

Tip #3:

Be concise in your storytelling. What are the most important details? Make sure your caption

has importance and meaning. Avoid repetition!

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DO YOU WANT TO PHOTOGRAPH AN OBJECT?

Tip #4:

Consider photographing an object that is connected to the past. In this case, once again,

listening is key. Make sure you understand what you are photographing by listening to the

person who values that object and knows its story.

Caption: Here is my grandmother holding photo albums full of photographs from my mother’s

childhood in England.

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Tip #5:

If an object is meant to represent something else, make sure you are clear about this in the

description.

Caption: Dawt was born in Chin State, Myanmar, and she explained how the evergreen trees

here in Canada remind her of the green mountains where she is from.

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DO YOU WANT TO PHOTOGRAPH A PLACE?

Tip #6:

If you are not personally connected to the place, talk to someone who is. Getting their story may

help you understand the place and tell a better story.

You may consider the following places: a park where you or a family member remember visiting

when you first arrived in Canada; a favourite place to eat; or a type of food that brings back

memories, or connects you to your culture.

The most important thing is to have fun! Tell a story that you think is important, and that feeling

will be surely felt by the judges.

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TECHNICAL TIPS

Technical Tip #1: Lighting

Natural lighting is the best. Try to avoid using a flash. Instead, be creative with what natural light

is available. If you are taking a portrait, you may consider leaving a portion of the person’s face

in shadow or incorporating light that is shining through something else, like leaves or a window.

Generally speaking, the best time of day for light is in the morning or late afternoon. Try to avoid

taking the photo in the bright afternoon sunlight or in a very dark room.

Example: For this portrait from the Cosmopolis Toronto project, the light shining through the

trees, and the shadows of the branches, make the photograph of Graciella (born in Burundi)

more intriguing.

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Technical Tip #2: Framing

Many photographers use the rule of thirds to frame a shot. Your subject is never in the middle or too far

over to the edge of the frame. Instead, the subject sits somewhere near where the points intersect (see

diagram). However, photographers often break the rules to create great photos (see the photo above of

Graciella). Ultimately, these rules are just suggestions indicating that, generally, we find photographs that

follow the rule of thirds to be more appealing.

The following photograph taken in a park follows the rule of thirds, placing the subject in the upper right

hand intersection.

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Technical Tip #3: Location and Angle

Finding a great location is important. There are many places you can go for inspiration—parks, busy

streets or cultural events. Aim for the morning or late afternoon to get the best lighting. Remember to give

yourself enough time to explore the place you are photographing. If you are taking a portrait, try a variety

of locations so that when it comes to editing you have choices. Try out a variety of angles when taking

your photograph by walking around the subject and shooting from different perspectives. Try getting low

and testing out a shot, then stand up and try another… see which you prefer.

Example: For this portrait of dancer Sale from Mozambique, he is standing on a bench outside the

Ontario College of Art and Design and looking down at the camera. The angle of the photograph added a

completely different feel to the image.

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Technical Tip #4: Editing

Editing is not essential, but if you are interested in editing there are many easy ways to make your

photograph stand out. Advanced editing software includes Lightroom and Photoshop, but if you want a

free editing program you can download Picasa or iPhoto. There are also free photo filters apps for

smartphones such as VSCO Cam, Snapseed and Litely. These programs are really easy to use and can

help you in making some final edits to your photo for things like contrast, cropping and brightness. This is

also where you can decide if you want your photograph to be in black and white, or in colour. Sometimes

black and white provides a unique feel to the photograph that you can’t achieve with colour. If you need

help using these programs be sure to check out YouTube for instructional videos. This can help turn a

good photo into a polished photo.

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Technical Tip #5: Caption

Be sure to write a caption that is clear and concise. Keep in mind that your reader can see the

photograph; you do not need to tell them what is obvious from looking at the picture. If you took a picture

of a maple leaf, your viewer will be more interested in the hidden details that are not visible. For example,

where did the leaf come from? What does the leaf in your picture symbolize? If possible, share your

caption with a friend or family member, get them to read it over and provide you with some feedback

before you submit.

Example: Yasser is holding a piece of coral that his niece picked up for him during a family picnic they

had on a sandbank in the Maldives in 2011. The coral reminds him of a moment in time when his family

stood strongly by him and offered him all their love. He grew from that strength into the next chapter of his

life.