This photo is not mine. Meaning I found it on the Internet. This is because I was searching for "Pictures Worth 1000 Words" in an attempt to learn what techniques were used to tell a story in one still frame.

One thing I learned NOT to do was to be overly abstract. When you wish to tell a story, you must use language that your audience will be able to understand. So being too ornate, or too expressive with your image through visual effects or dense allegory will —more often than not— harm your story, not improve it.

One thing I learned TO do is to capture action. When the subject of the image is in motion, this motion draws the mind in a backward direction and a forward direction simultaneously. The mind tries to see both where the subject came from, and where it is going at once. This can then be interpreted literally or allegorically by the viewer, who will apply it to their own knowledge of the subject.

It is important to clearly provide the main thought of the picture, and then allow to small details to reinforce the message to the careful observer.

These were some runner-ups for my photo:

This photo really epitomizes drawing the mind forward, you KNOW what that dog is going to do in about 0.0001 seconds

This photo draws the mind backwards to the child, and what motives led him to decide to dress as a bear before going to the zoo, and thus how exited he must be to be this close.

Until next time.