How to tell a STORY with Photography
Summary
TLDRIn this engaging video script, Peter McKinnon introduces his new 'Book Club' series, starting with 'Pictures Volume 1' by actor and photographer Jeff Bridges. McKinnon discusses the unique perspectives and storytelling in photography, inspired by Bridges' work. He highlights the creative use of the Widelux camera, which captures scenes in a panoramic format, and shares his own experiences and insights on capturing emotion and narrative within a single frame. The script also features a sponsored segment for Squarespace, emphasizing its utility for photographers to showcase and sell their work.
Takeaways
- 📸 The script is about Peter McKinnon's experience with photography and his new book club series, where he discusses photo books and coffee.
- 🎞️ Peter's earliest memories of photography involve his dad's Nikon and setting up a dark room in high school, where he enjoyed the process of printing photos.
- 🌟 He emphasizes the joy of seeing images come to life during the printing process, comparing it to opening a Christmas present.
- 📚 The book club series aims to inspire by featuring different photo books and coffee blends, combining the sensory experiences of sight and taste.
- 🤳 Jeff Bridges' 'Pictures Volume 1' is highlighted, showcasing his unique perspective as an actor and photographer, with access to behind-the-scenes moments.
- 📷 The script mentions the Widelux camera, which has a slit that exposes film as the lens pans, a technique that inspired Peter to explore new photography styles.
- 🎨 Peter discusses the importance of storytelling in photography, noting how Jeff Bridges' images convey narratives and emotions.
- 🛍️ The video includes a sponsorship message for Squarespace, a platform for photographers to sell prints, books, and services, with built-in SEO tools and customizable layouts.
- 🏆 Jeff Bridges is praised for his ability to capture crew members and actors in candid moments, adding depth to his photographs.
- 🎨 Peter shares his personal experience with the Widelux camera, including a creative selfie and the impact of happy accidents on photography.
- 🔍 The script concludes with the idea that storytelling in photography is accessible and can be found in unexpected places, encouraging photographers to think creatively.
Q & A
What is the significance of the first photograph in the book for the speaker?
-The first photograph in the book is significant for the speaker as it features his mom and dad, making it one of his earliest and favorite shots. It was taken with his dad's Nikon, which he started using in high school.
Why did the speaker set up a dark room in high school?
-The speaker set up a dark room in high school to develop and print photographs, which he found enjoyable despite the time-consuming process.
What aspect of photography does the speaker particularly enjoy?
-The speaker particularly enjoys the process of printing photographs and the excitement of seeing the images come out of the developing solution, comparing it to opening a Christmas present.
What type of camera does the speaker mention using for most of the photographs in the book?
-The speaker mentions using a wide Lux camera for most of the photographs in the book, which has a unique slit that exposes the film as the lens pans.
Who is hosting the book club, and what is the purpose of this series?
-Peter McKinnon is hosting the book club with the purpose of exploring books for inspiration, discovering new photographers, and enjoying the stories behind photographs.
What is the speaker's opinion on social media and its impact on storytelling in photography?
-The speaker believes that while social media has been crucial for his career, it has led to less storytelling in photographs. He finds that books offer a more immersive and personal experience with photography and its stories.
What is unique about the wide Lux camera that the speaker discusses?
-The wide Lux camera is unique because it has a fixed focus, limited shutter speeds, and requires the photographer to 'wing it' with fewer technical options, leading to a more immersive and in-the-moment photography experience.
How does the speaker describe the layout and personal touch of 'Pictures Volume 1' by Jeff Bridges?
-The speaker describes the layout of 'Pictures Volume 1' as phenomenal, with proof sheets scattered throughout the book, showing Jeff Bridges' markings, selections, and notes, giving a personal feel into the creative process.
What technique did Jeff Bridges use to capture portraits with two expressions on one negative?
-Jeff Bridges used a technique where he physically moved the subject as the camera panned, capturing the portrait twice on one negative.
What does the speaker find particularly immersive about the wide Lux camera's panoramic photos?
-The speaker finds the wide Lux camera's panoramic photos particularly immersive because they make him feel present in the photograph, as if he is being inserted into the frame.
How does the speaker describe the storytelling aspect of photography as depicted in Jeff Bridges' book?
-The speaker describes the storytelling aspect as being very possible in unlikely places and emphasizes the importance of thought before taking the frame, which makes a significant difference in the storytelling power of a photograph.
What did the speaker learn from Jeff Bridges' book about composition and creativity in photography?
-The speaker learned about fresh perspectives on composition and numerous creative ways to compose a picture using the wide Lux camera, which he had not thought about or seen before.
What is the speaker's view on the importance of mistakes in photography?
-The speaker believes that sometimes mistakes, such as being slightly underexposed, can lead to unique and cool shots that add character and cannot be replicated.
How does Jeff Bridges use the wide Lux camera for self-portraits?
-Jeff Bridges uses the wide Lux camera unconventionally for self-portraits, taking advantage of its panoramic capabilities to create unique and interesting self-portraits.
What does the speaker recommend for those interested in 'Pictures Volume 1' by Jeff Bridges?
-The speaker highly recommends finding and exploring 'Pictures Volume 1' by Jeff Bridges for its storytelling, unique perspectives, and creative composition.
Outlines
📸 The Passion for Photography and Book Club Introduction
Peter McKinnon reflects on his lifelong passion for photography, starting with his dad's Nikon camera and setting up a darkroom in high school. He admits not enjoying developing negatives but loves the excitement of printing and seeing images come to life. He introduces his new series, 'Pete's Book Club,' where he combines coffee and photo books for a unique experience. The first episode features Jeff Bridges' photography book, which inspired Peter to explore wide Lux cameras and find inspiration beyond social media.
🎞 Unique Perspectives and Creative Portraits with Wide Lux
The script delves into Jeff Bridges' unique photography techniques using the wide Lux camera, which captures images in a panoramic format. It discusses the creative process of taking portraits by exposing the subject twice on one negative, creating a dynamic image with two expressions. The camera's limitations, such as fixed focus and limited shutter speeds, are highlighted as features that encourage photographers to be more present and creative in the moment.
🌟 Storytelling Through Photography and the Power of Widelux
Peter shares his admiration for Jeff Bridges' ability to tell stories through his photographs, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in photography. He describes specific images from the book that capture anticipation, emotion, and the behind-the-scenes of movie sets. The wide Lux camera's capacity to create immersive and wide panoramic photos is praised for its ability to transport viewers into the scene.
🤳 Selfie Mastery with Widelux and Embracing Imperfections
The final paragraph focuses on Jeff Bridges' mastery of taking selfies with the wide Lux camera, showcasing unconventional and creative compositions. Peter also discusses the value of embracing imperfections in photography, using his own experiences with underexposed and slightly off-focus shots that resulted in unique and memorable images. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of thought and intention in creating impactful photographs.
🤔 A Curiosity about a TikTok Trend
In the last paragraph, Peter briefly mentions a curiosity about a trend he saw on TikTok, hinting at the influence of social media on creativity and the exploration of new ideas.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photography
💡Developing negatives
💡Printing
💡Wide Lux camera
💡Book club
💡Inspiration
💡Proof sheet
💡Storytelling
💡Pano camera
💡Selfie
💡Squarespace
Highlights
Peter McKinnon shares his passion for photography, starting with his dad's Nikon and setting up a dark room in high school.
The joy of developing prints and the excitement of seeing images come to life from the 'soup' is likened to opening a Christmas present.
Introduction of Peter's new series 'Pete's Book Club', combining coffee and photo books for a unique experience.
The use of a Widelux camera by Jeff Bridges, which provides a unique perspective and inspired Peter to find and use one.
Jeff Bridges' book 'Pictures Volume 1' is praised for its phenomenal layout and personal touch with proof sheets and notes.
The creative technique of double exposure using the Widelux camera to capture two expressions in one photo.
Peter's realization of the importance of storytelling in photography and how it can be achieved through various means.
The book's portrayal of behind-the-scenes moments and the unique access Jeff Bridges has as an actor.
Sponsorship mention of Squarespace and its benefits for photographers to sell prints, books, and services.
A standout photo of Barbara Streisand using a mirror to create a double portrait effect with the Widelux camera.
The immersive quality of Widelux panoramic photos that make viewers feel present in the scene.
Creative use of the Widelux for vertical shots and unconventional selfie techniques.
Jeff Bridges' handwritten notes in the book that provide context and add to the storytelling aspect of his photos.
A powerful photo from the movie set of 'White Squall' that tells a compelling story through its composition.
Peter's personal experience with the Widelux camera, capturing a unique photo of JJ On Stage at Red Rocks.
The importance of being open to happy accidents in photography and how they can lead to unique images.
A portrait of Tommy Lee Jones that showcases the camera's ability to capture crisp details and dynamic scenes.
Jeff Bridges' mastery of the selfie with the Widelux camera, showcasing its versatility and creative potential.
The conclusion of the book club episode emphasizing the value of storytelling in photography and the fresh perspectives gained.
Transcripts
[Music]
I've been taking pictures and making
movies most of my life the first shot in
this book is of my mom and dad it's one
of the earliest and probably my favorite
the shot was taken with my dad's Nikon I
started taking pictures with it in high
school I set up a dark room and would
lose track of time developing and
printing for hours and hours listening
to FM radio in the red safe
light I must say I never really enjoyed
developing negatives it's probably the
most important part of the whole process
but what I loved was the printing
watching those images come out of the
soup seeing that proof sheet of pictures
I had taken weeks before and forgotten
all about that's what I
loved to this day looking at a proof
sheet for the first time is like opening
a Christmas present I've given to myself
to feel the moment of the picture all
over again most of the other photographs
in this book were taken with a wide luux
camera instead of a traditional shutter
it has a slit that as the lens pans
exposes the
film it's been a minute since we've done
that and I will tell you it felt good
what's up everybody Peter McKinnon here
and welcome to the first episode of book
club now don't don't worry this isn't
going to be academic or lame or I did
not do well with academics or would
never have been part of something called
book club but alas 2024 here we are
Peter McKinnon hosting a book club who
would have thought my parents are
probably so proud in trying to evolve my
craft and become a better artist and
photographer one of the things I did was
starting to look to books for
inspiration one it stopped me from
scrolling endlessly on social media two
I was able to find new photographers
that I didn't even know existed three I
love looking at pictures and reading the
stories about each image you see
captions back when Instagram was new and
fresh I felt like people took more time
to write more stories about their photos
or experiences or what they were sharing
online that's not so much the case
anymore I find but you still get plenty
of stories within someone's photo book
so we thought it would be fun to start a
new series where we make coffee feature
a different blend and feature a
different photo book smash those two
things together you've got Pete's book
[Music]
club can't forget the shell light dude
shell
light is it weird before we dive in
we've got some James coffee Ethiopia in
the Cup today with a little khita wave
poured over it felt good to get coffee
back in my shop and and making it myself
again for me and the captain cheers Bud
all right just like the old days where
do I even start with Jeff Bridges
pictures there's so many places to start
we'll start with one that yes this is
the actor Jeff Bridges who's been in
movies since well for me like the
beginning of time what that's done for
Jeff is put him in situations
environments and positions to shoot
incredibly unique photographs because
he's able to bring his camera to set
that gives him a very unique perspective
of things to photograph and I think
that's what makes this so interesting
seeing familiar faces seeing other
actors the behind the scenes the peak
behind the curtain that you don't
otherwise get to see from a very
talented photographer Jeff Bridges is
he's a great great photographer if you
didn't know now you know and he uses the
wide Lux camera we made a video about
that a month or two ago that was
inspired from this book after seeing
these images I had to find a widelux
camera and I can say since then it has
become probably my most used camera of
the last few months since receiving it
that's a level of inspiration I haven't
got from scrolling social media again
I'm not trying to dog on it it's my
career I've built my career I'm very
grateful for social media but turning to
books to find my inspiration instead has
has been amazing let's take a look at
pictures volume 1 first off the layout
of this book is absolutely phenomenal
the proof sheets that he talks about in
the forward are scattered throughout the
beginning and the end of this book and
you can see all of his markings and
selections and notes and that gives you
a really nice personal feel into the
creative process that he must have gone
through When selecting which images to
use for this book which is a very long
and lengthy process ask me how I know
now what's cool about this camera is it
has a fixed Focus there's only three
shutter speeds and most of the time
you're just kind of winging it with not
a lot of options and not a lot of
flexibility it kind of takes a lot of
the technical out of Photography and
puts you more in the moment and that's
what I really enjoyed about it that's
what really shines in this book there
are a series of portraits in this book
that uh were really interesting and I
couldn't wrap my head around how it was
being done it's portrait of someone
where he exposes them twice so you get
two pictures of someone on one negative
and Kirk actually came downstairs and
opened the book and looked at it and was
like oh he's just moving physically as
the camera is panning so that he can
capture the portrait twice and Kirk was
right he took 5 Seconds figured it out
and it's a super creative way to get a
portrait and get two expressions out of
somebody in one photo throughout this
book he's got different portraits of
different actors I think that's a really
unique way of capturing people too that
became kind of his staple you're going
to frown and look that way with your
eyes and then when I say shift as fast
as you can smile and look that way
[Music]
okay
ship maybe Kirk watched that before he
told me he didn't he's just smart before
we go further we'll pay some bills real
quick and thank Squarespace for
sponsoring this video Jeff Bridges could
use a Squarespace website he could sell
his books on his Squarespace website I
plan to sell my book on my Squarespace
website now if you're a photographer and
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or your services or book client meetings
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where you can choose from professionally
curated layouts styling options and
that's what gets you that creative
presence from the ground up my favorite
thing is that it's optimized for every
device because there's so many things
coming out all the time screen sizes are
different monitors are different tablets
it's it's a mess but that's all
optimized so it looks good no matter
who's looking at it no matter what
they're looking at it on lots of easy
checkout options flexible payments if
you are sell in products that's good and
you can book appointments so if you are
a photographer and you want to do a
consultation and you want to have
someone be able to go into your website
choose a time and book an appointment
that's cool those things start coming
into the inbox you can manage the whole
system the whole business from that back
end I can save you 10% by using Code
McKinnon at checkout so head over to
squarespace.com McKinnon hit that code
get that discount and get that website
online before the end of the day
speaking of which I I could probably use
an update on my website now we write
that down on the Whiteboard I think my
my favorite picture in this book is of
barbar strian 1996 the use of a mirror
when I saw this portrait for the first
time I thought it was two separate
photos of Barbara he's capturing the
reflection in the mirror and the widelux
pans over to her in real life standing
in front of the mirror so you get that
portrait twice without moving anything
there's a certain immersion with the
widelux camera that really makes you
feel like you're being inserted to the
frame be it that it's a landscape or a
portrait I've never seen photos that
make me feel more than the widelux and
not to say that feel something
emotionally but feel present in the
photograph I've never been transported
to that place more than when I see one
of these panoramic photos that's
obviously not just the wide Lux there's
lots of different panoramic cameras the
xan being one of the most popular if not
the most popular it really stops you in
your tracks here's another Super
Creative use of a widelux we know that
it pans left to right but what if you
turn the camera vertically and hand
bottom to top I found myself enamored
with the numerous ways you could
creatively compose a picture that I
haven't thought about or seen before now
when I talk about Jeff being in certain
situations where most of us aren't
finding ourselves in on a daily basis CU
We're Not actors on sets with crazy
budgets being able to shoot these things
and that's not uh to say his life is
easy or it's that's why he's able to get
these things not at all but wow does it
ever make them miraculous look at this
if you saw this photo blown up in my
office on the wall with no context you
would look at that and think what is
happening where is this pirate ship why
are there three guys overboard swimming
towards it the sea is Raging where were
you to get this photo why is it so wide
there's so many questions it's it's
unbelievable some of these pictures Jeff
has handwritten notes to what's been
going on in the picture which I like we
shot parts of white squall on the island
of Malta there was a huge tank there you
could create the illusion of being at
Sea by lining up the edge of the tank
with the Horizon of the real
ocean it's a
tank I was today years old when I
realized I was I've never read that
excerpt before they used jet engines and
giant fans to make hurricane force winds
and dumped massive amounts of ocean
water down these slides on top of us
that's so cool I almost drowned out
there it was n so much the water as
inhaling all of that damn jet fuel
that's crazy see what a great like what
a great story here's a wide of that tank
lined up with the Horizon of the ocean
dude look at look at that like that's
what I mean you don't get that if you're
not Jeff bridge is on set I mean yeah no
you won't that's so sick all right
there's one shot in here that for me
tells so much story I've always and
often struggled with being able to Comm
communicate a story within a photograph
that might be because a lot of what I
shot originally and growing up was
landscape photos you kind of just it is
what it is it's a beautiful landscape
maybe not so beautiful as I started
getting more of these photo books and
diving into other photographers works I
noticed more story in their photos by
reading their captions and reading their
forwards you learn so much about the
artist and what makes them shoot the way
they shoot this particular book and one
of these photos in here from me is the
exact depiction of Storytelling in a
photograph and let me show you forget
the fact that this is a movie set and
this is all fictional but you know
movies tell stories and this is a great
story in a photograph be you've seen the
movie or not it's from 1988 so you
probably haven't but look at the story
this tells you have the girls waiting to
go on stage their anticipation the one
girl holding other people back maybe
she's the leader of the group or the
performance maybe they're nervous but
they're getting ready to go on they're
being introduced on the right side you
have someone introducing maybe what's
about to happen you also have the
audience in anticipation waiting for
what's about to happen both exposed in
the dark exposed in the light I love
this photo one of the strengths Jeff has
in this book and throughout this volume
and there's a second volume which is
probably another video is he's great at
capturing the crew people hanging out
people doing their jobs and that also
brings you into the scene makes you feel
like you're in this car about to give
your lines does it matter that it's not
perfectly in Focus this thing is pre
focused at 11 ft obviously playing with
your aperture and depending on what
speed film you're using and your
distance to things that's going to
change but I've learned in shooting film
that sometimes some of the coolest shots
aren't in focus at all or mistakes end
up being some of the cool shots this
camera particularly really loosened me
up and to just dive into that for 2
seconds last week I was in Colorado
shooting Cleo at Red Rocks here's a shot
of JJ On Stage that's slightly
underexposed and I happened to get that
frame right as they were blasting some
red lights but the way their lights
bleed with my exposure on the wide Lux
that's an example right there of like a
good frame that I'm proud of but also
mixed with a bit of a happy accident
because it is a little underexposed but
all the right things kind of work
together in the right and wrong way
giving me a really unique photograph
that I won't ever be able to replicate
here's a portrait Tommy Lee Jones in a
hallway look at all the papers nice and
crisp on the wall like there's so many
things happening in this photo there's
so much going going on and you probably
miss it all first pass you just you just
flip through you're like oh that's cool
very creative use of composition there's
that hallway shot again left and right
of a hallway Gary in the middle so sick
lastly Jeff is a master of the selfie
with the wide luux it's a really cool
camera to do a selfie with because it's
just very
unconventional this guy was banging off
selfies with a Pano cam in 1998 needless
to say I had to try it myself and yes it
does look pretty rad I don't want to
spoil any more of this book Because half
the fun of getting a photo book is going
through it for the first time and seeing
and experiencing these photos that the
photographers have worked hard for uh
without having having seen it all online
first so that is where I will leave it
with Jeff Bridges pictures volume 1 if I
can sum anything up from what I've
learned with this it's that storytelling
is very possible in the most unlikely
places when it comes to photography as
hard as as it may sound or as cliche as
it may sound it's actually easier to do
than you would think and it makes a huge
difference When the Thought is put in
before the frame's taken I got to see so
many fresh perspectives on composition
when it comes to this book that I've
never seen before in all the years I've
been doing photography so being exposed
to that as a photographer is like
finding a new color imagine just digging
a hole and finding a new color that's
like that thought blows my mind so that
was book club
episode 1 thanks for joining us hope you
had a good time if you can find this
book highly recommend it this is the
first edition the second edition is
easier to find I think the first book is
better but we'll save that for another
video the next video we got to find out
who Ginger
is she she sold her copy
[Music]
does it look
good is it is it
weird the I saw this guy on Tik
Tock gave the I kind of dig it
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