Serial Photography - Using Themed Images to Improve Your Photographic Skills by Harald Mante
Neither bedwetting nor torturing pets and small animals was ever my thing. I was always fascinated with fire, but I never became a pyromaniac. So, how did I become a “serial photographer?” Some of my harsher critics may complain that I’ve killed many subjects with my camera, but fortunately I have more admirers that constantly encourage me. So I keep on shooting.
That, according to Harald Mante is an important feature of serial photography – you can shoot whenever and wherever you like – just keep shooting. It helps to have a category of subjects in mind, such as stairs, old barns, socks, locks, clocks, blocks; the subjects are endless. Be sure to remember your chosen subjects when you’re out on the road. Travel photography is a an ideal opportunity for serial photography. Wouldn’t you like a photo of a church steeple from every town you visit?
Right from the first page of his latest book, Serial Photography: Using Themed Images to Improve Your Photographic Skills, Mante reminds us that it is important to distinguish between “serial” images and “sequential” images. Sequential images depict the stages of change in a subject over time, such as a building under construction or a flower’s bloom decomposing into a wilted collection of dead petals. Serial images, however, represent a collection of similar subjects with no necessary reference to time.
Need some examples or inspiration? Check out any of the thirty-five chapters, each of which represents a different subject ranging from objects to colors to shapes. The concluding chapter discusses tableaus and offers suggestions on how to display your collections.
So how does creating a series of images of the same subject make you a better photographer? One way is to avoid that endless search for “the” prize-winning image and another is to study with one of the best. Harald Mante has published numerous books including the classic reference book, The Photograph: Composition and Color Design. Serial Photography will be available February 28, 2011 from Rockynook.
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