Photography

Storytelling Stills

March 3, 2010 Storytelling in CDIA's photography program is actually comprised of three modules, one on how to shoot to tell a story, one to learn Final Cut, and one for production The still image when combined with voice-over, ambient audio, and a soundtrack has a completely different feel from the HD video that is now in vogue, and still has a lot of potential power. I enjoy working with video, but there is something lyrical about the feel of carefully considered still images to convey meaning and message. With stills you have the distinct advantage of being able to choose and carefully script every single moment that appears on the screen, and the result can be much more than a simple slide show. I've always been a horror fan, ever since Creature Feature on Channel 44 on Saturday mornings after cartoons, and I could never wait for the Superfriends to be over so that the monsters could come out and play. When I heard about Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery in Salem, a pantheon to old-time horror, I knew that I had to go, and I also knew that I had my subject for the storytelling module. James Lurgio, AKA Count Orlok, the owner and proprietor of the nightmare gallery, graciously agreed to conduct an audio interview, and ten minutes in I knew that I had a story. For well over an hour, James talked and I listened about horror, fear, and how he came to business of frightening people. I took well over a thousand photos in three trips to the museum, recorded guests screaming and monsters howling. Cutting, splicing and weaving it together in Final Cut took longer, and while I had a piece ready to turn in at the end of the module, I tweaked it for months afterwards and even went back one more time to shoot again, having shot the wrong mummy the first time. When I was done, I had my first real photo essay and a piece that I am proud to show. Count Orlok was so pleased with the final product that he is going to use it to promote his gallery. The experience that I gained proved indispensable in my practicum work as it turned out that my client wanted a multimedia piece as well, and I came to learn that this is the kind of photographic work that I enjoy most and what I hope to call a career in the future. Check out the Video here!