If a photo speaks a thousand words then it's for certain that two photos can speak volumes. When you place two photos side by side it is called a "diptych." Last week Brenda who hosts Third Thursday Challenge showed us how using diptychs can be an effective storytelling tool. They're like little mini stories that are told in two photos.
I've used diptychs before to show examples or to save room on my blog, but I've never given much thought as to how they could tell stories. As I wandered this week I looked for photos that could be used in pairs.
Nature was the first thing I thought of since spring seems to arrived and with the warm days flower buds bursting into blossoms. Of course, the weeds are bursting open too, like this dandelion flower and dandelion seed head. There's also a second story here, the story of my point of view when capturing the image. In the first, I was looking down at the flower and then I looked up at the seed head!
I also wanted to try something outside of my comfort zone of nature. This week I explored a small town in Arkansas and discovered a historic railroad station. I took these pictures of a semaphore atop the building. My three year old grandson is obsessed with trains. He's the one that told me this signal is called a semaphore. I did a little research and found that a semaphore is one of the earliest forms of fixed railway signals. These signals display their different indications to train drivers by changing the angle of inclination of a pivoted 'arm'. The ladder on the left is how the men climbed the pole to change the signal. Aaron certainly knew what he was talking about! Smart boy!!
I love the inspiration and knowledge that I get through blogging and the friends I've made. If you'd like to see more inspiring examples of how we challenged ourselves to learn something new this month, just visit Brenda by clicking on the button below!
Cathy - well, the diptych idea seems to have caught fire as you and Becs both explored this story-telling concept. And to such great result - I love it. I really must explore this idea further in my own work. Great examples. And you definitely get extra TTC points for shooting something outside your normal nature work - love the semaphore photos. Both looking up but showing different parts of the mechanism; one inside, one outside. But both emphasizing the vertical height and wonderful lines. Thanks so much for participating in this month's Third Thursday Challenge.
ReplyDeleteCathy, great job! Each of these examples really does tell a story, and I don't know which one I like best. I'd like to know what kind of flower that is in the first one. The dandelion pair took me by surprise - I like the way you made the flower and the seed puff exactly the same size. And the semaphore? I agree with Brenda's comments on that one. No one would guess that you don't photograph that sort of thing all the time!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. They do tell a story.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love storyboards and I never really thought of it that way with telling a story but seeing this I see what you mean. What is that first flower, it is lovely? Good idea Cathy.
ReplyDeleteA three year old told you that, huh? He is a little Einstein in the making, isn't he? Love the pictures, and I also usually do that just to save room!
ReplyDeleteI don't know the word "diptych", but I know what you mean. Beautiful photos and they do tell a story. I love your new header and they remind me of a quote of Jim Carrey "FLOWERS DON'T CARE HOW THE'RE GOING TO BLOOM, THEY JUST OPEN UP AND TURN TOWARD THE LIGHT AND THAT MAKES THEM BEAUTIFUL".
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
I did diptychs too for this challenge, ha! Love our different interpretations of them - so many possibilities. Love the images you've chosen and the different stories they show - great job on going out of your comfort zone, I need to do that more too. And what a smart little grandson you have. Happy Friday. :)
ReplyDeleteYour diptychs are terrific...and they definitely tell a story. It's lovely to see the spring colors of flowers which we sorely lack!!
ReplyDeleteSo great to see these, the ladder going up fascinates me. I am going now to follow the link you posted. Looking forward to seeing the scanned slides you mentioned to me. Happy weekend to you!
ReplyDeleteYou've told some really fascinating stories here, especially the one about the train signal. Your image of that ladder going up gives a great perspective on what people have to do to make that work.
ReplyDeleteGreat images. I've actually always preferred the seed head version of dandelions-- the way they catch the light or hold drops of dew or the dance of each little frond when the wind blows. Well done! And, of course, the connection between your visit to the train station and your grandson's fascination with anything train is precious. I bet he loves those photos.
ReplyDeletei love the stories you've shared with your diptychs. making a mental note to incorporate that more! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did these diptychs. I admire them, but when I put them together I can't seem to get any kind of story. I feel the need to divide the two images with a black or white line so they are two separate entities. Somehow I'm missing the boat.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the first one with round and round in nature.