Selective Alchemy: Weaving your magnum opus through the art of choosing

Part 5 of the series "Long term photography project"

This is the fifth part of a series of articles I started working on in the beginning of last year. It’s about long-term photo projects. At the bottom of this newsletter you will find links to the previous articles.

In the fascinating journey of a long-term photographic project, the process of selecting images emerges as both an art and a revelation. This dance of curation is a tapestry woven from the threads of first-time perfection, patient contemplation, collective insight, stylistic cohesion and the rhythmic shuffle of images.

Join me as I unravel this hunt for the perfect selection based on the ‘threads’ mentioned above.

First Time Right:
Be precise

In the realm of long-term projects, the allure of 'first time right' beckons. It's an artful dance where precision meets intuition, and each click is a calculated stroke on the canvas. The philosophy is simple—make the right image, for less is indeed more. Through the lens of deliberate composition and mindful framing, photographers transcend the need for extensive post-shooting curation, capturing moments that resonate with the intended narrative.

(I have to admit this is a tough one. I try to photograph deliberate, and still find it hard to get it first time right)

Step Back:
Be patient

Patience, a virtue often celebrated in photography, stretches its kind hand towards the field of image selection. The call is to resist the immediate allure of sifting through freshly captured images. Instead, let them linger for a while - a delicate fermentation of visual impressions. Stepping back allows for a detached perspective, where emotional attachments to moments fade, giving way to a more objective and critical eye in the selection process.

Collect Opinions:
Gather perspectives

The solitary act of image selection develops into a collective effort. We become storytellers, sharing the narrative with peers and mentors. The collective insight becomes a guiding beacon, illuminating blind spots and offering different perspectives. It's a spectrum of opinions that refines the selection, enriching the narrative with layers unseen through the eyes of a lone storyteller.

Cohesion:
Style and Subject as Companions

In the maze of pictures, the search for cohesion arises as the compass that guides the narrative. Whether in the seamless flow of stylistic elements or the thematic unity of subjects, cohesion is the glue that binds a series into a visual symphony. The art lies not only in individual brilliance, but in the harmonious interplay of images that resonate with a common nature.

(a.k.a. Kill your darlings. More on that topic in the next part of this series soon)

Shuffling:
Sequence your images

Next to selecting, another important act is shuffling; a physical exploration that transcends the digital domain. Print your images and lay them out in a tangible way. The physicality of shuffling, arranging and rearranging the photos becomes a rhythmic process. It's in this physical context that the sequence takes shape - an arrangement that transforms individual elements into a collective narrative, each image a tone in the story's symphony.

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My shuffling process

As there are different ways of shuffling, I am going to present to you my way of shuffling to turn my individual images into a cohesive narrative. I'm not saying it's the best way, and you may disagree, but it's the best way for me.

Print out your photos, allowing for a better overview and easing the shuffle.

The contenders, printed in modest small formats, escape the limitations of the digital domain. A quick visit to the corner drugstore, a humble printer - no frills required. The alchemy happens when these prints find their place on a stage - in which form that may be..

Hang them on an iron wire with magnets.

This physical manifestation invites longevity into the creative process. The photographs linger, suspended in the air of the study. A deliberate act - to see them daily, to watch their interplay, to feel the ebb and flow of emotion. It's more than a practical exercise; it's a connection, an ongoing conversation with the visual elements waiting to harmonise.

See if they get boring, slide for different combinations.

The advantage of this tangible arrangement goes beyond convenience. It allows an ongoing dialogue with the unfolding narrative. We become audience members, assessing the emotional resonance of each frame. Boredom becomes a signal, a whisper from the visual elements - perhaps a call for a new arrangement, a different sequence, a fresh perspective.

Alternatively, engage in digital shuffling.

While the tactile dance is revered, acknowledging the digital realm is part of the symphony. Digital tools such as Miro (I do use Miro to have a digital overview of my project always with me) or Jamboard provide a virtual stage for shuffling. Still, I have to admit, nothing beats the feeling of holding your photos, sliding them back and forth, feeling the subtle nuances that escape the pixels.

In the process of staging a long-term project, shuffling is not just an act of rearranging. It's a ritual - a connection with the visual narrative. Whether in the tactile embrace of printed photographs or the virtual dance of digital sites, shuffling breathes life into the sequence. It's a process in which individual frames merge into a narrative constellation, and each frame finds its harmonious place in the grand composition.

How do you handle the shuffling process?

Long-Term Photography Project Series:

Part 1 | Embrace the journey: The beauty of long-term photography projects
Part 2 | Unveiling the soul: Discovering meaning and purpose in long-term photography projects
Part 3 | The dance of patience: How patience has shaped my long-term photography projects
Part 4 | Building authentic connections: Forging meaningful bonds in long-term photography projects
Part 5 | Selective alchemy: Weaving your magnum opus through the art of choosing
Part 6 | The afterlife of your 'killed darlings': Crafting a narrative beyond the series
Part 7 | The long haul: Triumphs, challenges and collaborations in long-term photography projects
Part 8 | Evolution of vision: Adapting style and capturing change over time

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That’s it for this newsletter.

Till next time,

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