Can We Avoid the Story Within the Frame?
A reflection on storytelling, subjectivity, and visual interpretation in photography — exploring whether any image can truly exist without narrative.
Consider this photo…
It looks like a horror movie — doesn’t it?
I wanted it that way.
There could have been many different scenes,
even from the same moment.
But this one?
It was my choice.
Subjective.
If it were to be objective,
everything would have to be completely random —
the camera, direction, exposure — all of it.
But even then,
there would still be someone to make sense of it.
You.
So, a photo is a story.
And it should be.
Because if it had been done completely differently,
I doubt we would understand it.
This was a story, too —
one you participated in.
Thank you for that.
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About the Author: I am a passionate photographer and a philosopher of both photography and life, a TEDx speaker, a Master of Molecular Biology, and a product manager. I curate two newsletters: Lens of Perception, where I explore the intersections of photography, travel, and philosophy, and Thoughtful Corner, where I share ideas, reflections, and insights for curious minds. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my work.
I certainly agree that we can lead the viewer so far with the choices we make as photographers but we must also learn to let go of each image once it is released into the public domain as we cannot control another’s interpretation. As it happens, your image did not bring ‘horror’ to my mind, I chose to see it a different way. For me the image is flooded with sunshine and therefore much less threatening. Having said all that, one very short article is probably the most thought provoking I have read today, you have a talent for that. Thanks for sharing.
This photo was freaky. I remember seeing this one and thinking,”RUN!” Love it..