5 Tips on creating a photo series
If you are starting to work on a photo series, there are of course countless tips and advice. In fact, there are plenty of books written about the subject.
Below I have named at least a few tips from my own experience when creating my recent projects. Read the 5 tips that are definitely going to help you create a photo series.
1. Pick a subject that interests you, otherwise it won't work
The first and most important choice when you start working on a series is the subject. That doesn't have to be thought out in detail yet, of course, but it does give you a direction to go in. It is also important to choose something that is either very close to you, so that you can start working on it right away, or a subject that requires a bit more effort to find the depth. Just make sure it's a topic that interests you (even if you don't know much about it at the moment). Finding the depth in a subject you know nothing about is a difficult task. And working longer on such a project is a waste, because you probably won't get as much pleasure out of it, and therefore you won't get the desired end result.
2. Make the series first and foremost for yourself. Admiration from others is not the goal
Who are you photographing for? And why? Most, if not all, will say they do it for themselves, because they like it or something along those lines. You photograph for yourself. You derive pleasure from it. Want to capture something beautiful. Or tell a story. If you are satisfied with the end result, it is good. That's what you do it for! If there are others who can also appreciate it and are delighted with it, that's a bonus. Photographing with the goal of impressing a jury and winning a contest is not a problem in itself. However, there is a risk that you will enjoy the whole process less because you are working with a certain mindset. And if a jury, photo club members or your friends then don't get excited about your photos, it's even more sour. How will you then think about your series and all the work you have put into it?
3. Break the rules but make sure you know them
Basic knowledge of the 'rules' of photography is a useful luggage, but you must also be able to put these aside. That a composition using the "Rule of Thirds" or the "Fibonacci spiral" gives a nice image, or that triangles should be visible in the image, help you tremendously in determining a good composition. But these rules are not sacred. Indeed. Why shouldn't you place a prominent element right in the middle? Because the rules simply say that is less attractive? Says who? And should the format of your photo always correspond to the formats determined by the camera manufacturers? 3:2 or 5:4 or 1:1? If you want your photo in 7:2 format, go ahead and do that! Following the rules leaves little surprise because everyone builds the composition the same way. A deviation from the standard makes for a striking photograph. And that in turn can make it interesting to look at your photos longer.
4. Kill your darlings
Painful. Your best picture doesn't fit the series. So now what? Yeah, too bad. It really has to go. After all, you are making a series and it is the sum of the parts that counts. If that one top photo does not fit into the whole of what you want to show or does not support the story well enough, it can ruin your whole series. But not to worry, because a single top photo can of course be hanging large on your wall. Right?
5. Show your series to lots of people
This tip is a bit of a contrast to the second tip. Assuming you made the series for yourself, but also want to use it in a competition or as an entry for an exhibition, a little feedback is nice. What one person likes is not necessarily appreciated by others. And then it is helpful if you have received comments on your work from different people. Someone who has been involved with photography for years has a completely different frame of reference with pictures than someone who never does. Both will have opinions that can help you make the final choice for your series. Whatever opinion or advice you will follow (or not) is up to you. You take it all in and decide in the end what the perfect series for you will look like.
Does it stop at these 5 tips? No, the list of tips is much longer, if you would like. In my opinion, these are the most important, or at least the tips you should keep in mind when making a series. Curious to see if you agree with me, or if I missed any important tips that should definitely not be missed here.