Concept Photography

Concept photography is a funny thing....

Especially when it's based on a song or written work. Not only do you have to identify with the emotion the author of such a work is trying to communicate to his audience, you are trying to interpret it into tangible, physical objects. Transfer the moods, the words, the saids and unsaids of words into lighting, composition, focus points, tones, and presence or lack of motion. 

You have to convey all of this in one frozen frame of time in a distinct way that will inspire and meet people on many different levels. 

It has to mean something to them too.

Just as a music artist must convey and communicate his ideas and convictions through words and sound, a photographer often does the same with the absence of words and sound. (or incorporating a single word or phrase creatively into a setting.)

Where it usually takes a musician 3-4 minutes to fully encompass and communicate their idea a concept photographer has literally the blink of an eye to capture and display a subject. 

If you want to try concept photography or you're already loving it, here's some thoughts:

After you've chosen the idea or song you want to base your shoot off of try to become the author. 

Read the piece out loud or listen to the song... Even if it's an emotion you've never personally felt (like me and this shot: see here) Try to imagine being them. Capture that feeling. 

Got it? 

Now go shoot it...

and don't forget to try the unexpected.

Here's a recent 12 day shoot I did for a Thousand Foot Krutch album ~Phenomenon.

I feel like I learned so much....just from picture 1 to 12. :) It was SO very fun and I'm extremely thankful to the awesome girl who did it with me and inspired me in so many ways!

Phenomenon

"Down, Here comes the sound, everyone pound your feet to this Phenomenon, Now let's make it loud, let's show 'em all how you move to this phenomenon, roll! Open your soul, maybe lose control inside of this phenomenon, just let your self go, and let everyone know you move to this phenomenon."

Step To Me

"I sometimes wish that I could fly, hold me tight in your arms tonight, I'm sick of livin' inside a  lie, Alright I can't count the time I've tried, stand alone just to lift you high, you're my answer to the question why."

Last Words

"Dear loved one, please listen, this might be the last chance I get, I'm sorry I left you, I'm living in a world of regret, don't cry if you can hear me, I never meant to hurt you dearly, I'm so wrong sincerely, don't stop, take life seriously.These are the last words I'm ever gonna get to say to you, when everything falls away from you. . . take these words and know the world is not worth leaving. . ."

This is a Call

"She fooled all of her friends into thinking she's so strong, but she still sleeps with her light on, and she acts like it's all right on, as she smiles again and her mother lies there sick with cancer, and her friends don't understand her, she's a question without answers, who feels like falling apart. She knows, she's so much more than worthless, but she needs to find her purpose, she wonders what she did to deserve this and..

She's calling out to you, this is a call; this is a call out, 'Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you, and I'm losing all control now, and my hazard signs are all out I'm asking you, to show me what this life is all about."

Rawkfist 

"Throw up your rockfist if you're feelin it when I drop this. Show 'em how we blow the spot, Let's make it hot, Let's shock 'em with the bodyrock 'til the party stops. It's time to take it up a notch, and keep it locked, for all the headbangers in the parking lot. Here we come, if you're ready or not. No time to talk. Cause we on the clock bringin that Uhh, Uhh, to your block. Let me show ya where we're comin from, it don't stop, from L.A. to New York. Show me what you got now!"

Faith, Love, and HappYness

"It seems everyone is up in my space, like it's the American way, I run in case somebody takes my place, just another change of pace. I know you think you know a lot about me, but so many wanna doubt me. My eyes can even see the back of me,won't you just let me be.

Cause everyone is falling away, feel like they're stolen from me, wish everything didn't happen to me, all I want is faith, love, and happiness. Everytime one runs away another one's returning, I wish everyone could just see your face. Faith, love, and happiness.

Every which way I turn I've got the option of a million choices, every single word I say is judged by a million critics. Every which way you turn you hear the sound of a million voices. Every single move you make is torn by a million cynics. When will we all see the light of day?

I. don't. know." 

I Climb

"I don't want you to be anything at all, I just want you to say you love me, I don't care, just stop living life like this. I don't want to be anything at all, I just want you to see who I am, and stop the violence. No more silence...  I'm gonna show ya I'm alive, breathing clearly for the first time, take my in your arms, take me to the place you are.I needed time to clear my mind, keeping balanced on this line was impossible before I met you.I climb so high, it blows me away sometimes, sleep tonight, no more cryin. Cause I've got you on my side."

Quicken 

"It's coming to that point, I'm down on my knees.

I'm praying, you can change my life, and change me. 

I'll follow you there, I've got nothing to lose.

Unwind me.Heal my sickness. Unravel this, and 

Set. Me. Free."

 

New Design 

"Sometimes, I feel so alone, it feels like I'm standing out here on my own, and I've never felt so far from home. It's coming on,  it hits me when I step outside my zone. 'Cause sometimes, I feel so alone, it feels like I'm standing out here on my own, and I've never felt so far from home. It's coming on, it hits me when I step outside my zone." 

Bounce 

"Let's break this mold, can't let this hold us, let's be soldiers, no longer let them control us. Boys and girls, together we'll shake the world, if you believe then out it to the sky with me. If you agree there is more to this than what we see and what we know. Then bounce 'til ya lose control, and grab a partner. We about to make this hotter, turn up the heat while we get started.

The time has come now shake up the dust until it settles the sand. Bounce! BOUNCE!

Bounce! Let your spirit fly!"

Ordinary 

"You could never stop this feelin' I've got inside of me. You could never fill these shoes, 'cause I refuse to lose, I'm just ordinary me. You could never stop this feelin' I've got inside of me. I'm prepared to let this go to... let everybody know I'm just ordinary" 

Break the Silence

"No holds barred, can you feel it? Coming along, break the silence, non directional - No holds barred can you feel it coming along, it's on. Hit the switch and turn me on.

You make me feel complicated, sometimes I try to explain the way you took me, turn it all around, everyone will know the minute we let it go. I can't hold it anymore, let's be original."

Stay tuned for more concept albums :) 

You can add me on flickr or see my 365 day photo challenge and previous concept shoots.  (here) 

Thanks for reading. 

Redeemed,

Pj