How to do Photographic Story Telling

How to do Photographic Story Telling page samples

The book How to do Photographic Story Telling: Including composition and posing ideas is out now. There are three versions, in order of our personal favourites

The book covers our philosophy about photography, including how to get great photos that tell a story. Add value, meaning, and depth to your photos.

The purpose of this book is to give a different perspective on creating amazing photographs. Travel photographer Andrew Blyth (B.Sc, M.A) presents his two decades of learning in psychology and photography in this simple, concise, and easy to digest book. He reveals his secrets of how to create authentic-looking scenes, how to direct models (and clients), and how to make even ‘boring’ scenery ‘aesthetic’ (beautiful). He demonstrates his ideas with myriad of examples photographed in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia. This book includes inspirational quotes from some of the greatest photographers which will help guide your thinkings.

The eBook edition makes for great portability and easy referral. The print edition makes for a great in-studio or on-site reference. Many sample images are included to help show models and clients little details like hand placement, how to pose, and a lot more. Topics include:

  • The Three Elements
  • Photographing Movement
  • Visual Stories: Operation Bilby
  • Photographing Boring Things
  • Visual Stories: Events in Japan
  • Posing People
  • Composition and Posing Ideas

Some proceeds from this book will support environmental charities and photographic project Operation Bilby.

eBook: ISBN 978-0-9954040-2-1 | Print:  ISBN 978-0-9954040-5-2

eBook How to do Photographic Story Telling for pre-order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  • How to do Photographic Story Telling: Including composing and posing ideas
  • Andrew Blyth (B.Sc, M.A)
  • Publisher: Travel Photos (Aus)
  • On Sale: 8th February 2023
  • Print: USD$42.95
  • eBook: USD$9.99
  • Print ISBN: 978-0-9954040-5-2
  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954040-2-1

Travel Photographer Opens Archives and Offers Advice on Making Great Photographs

Melbourne, Aus – 30th Jan 2023 – Travel photographer Andrew Blyth opens up his 20 years of archives of life in Asia to share his tips and philosophy of visual story telling. His first book for the arts and photography community How to do Photographic Story Telling offers a unique insight into his mind and vision. With many of us wanting to travel abroad again, we are looking to get the most out of our trips and key to this is getting amazing photographs. Andrew believes that ‘Photos are a time travel device that can instantly take us back to our adventures abroad’. Nothing will devalue these experiences more than poor photography. Andrew’s advice and philosophy of his style of photography will make for great reading – and viewing.

As you can expect from a photographer, How to do Photographic Story Telling is loaded with amazing examples of photography from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Australia. It includes how to pose people, how to think about photo compositions, and what makes a photograph meaningful. The book is light on words, heavy on unique ideas, and filled with visual expression. Andrew leans on the ideas of some of the greatest minds in photography by providing quotes in very clear context that will echo in the mind of the reader. It is an essential photography guide for all avid photographers and travellers.

The book, due to its photographic content, is published in print-on-demand premium magazine format (22x28cm / 8.5×11in). It can be ordered from Blurb, Amazon, and as an eBook on Kindle and Apple Books. The book is 124 to 128 (depending on edition) pages plus soft cover.

Travel Photos prefers recycled, recyclable, renewable, and reusable materials for its physical products. A portion of profits are used to support environmental charities. A portion of proceeds from this book will help support the next stage of the Operation Bilby photographic project.

Aircraft Portrait Shoot

Male model preferred for about 1 to 2 hours work. Pose next to an aircraft to create a small set of portraits for advertising/editorial use in print and online campaigns within Australia. Details:

  • This is a low-budget shoot, so please do own MUA and clothing.
  • Clothing: Preference for neutral coloured chino trousers, long-sleeve white button-up shirt
  • When: The shoot will be close to sunset, most likely on a late Saturday afternoon (7th Jan) or the Friday before or Sunday after
  • Where: A regional airfield that is within 60kms of Melbourne CBD (transport by photographer can be provided). Contact us to learn more
  • Remuneration: Contact us to learn more
  • Style: The aircraft will be static (on ground – parked). Editorial style of portraits around the aircraft.
Flying with the Gliding Federation of Australia and the Melbourne Gliding Club

Talent Database

It’s been a tough time for us. Since Andrew arrived back in Melbourne after 20 years away, he had a good six months to get reacquainted with Melbourne before the lockdowns began. We’re now in a rebuilding phase, and that means we now need to network and re-establish a team of people we trust and are happy to work with. We expect to get commercial jobs helping Melbourne and Victorian companies with their commercial product and branding photography. Many of these companies have international ambitions, so we are looking to work with enthusiastic and talented people. We are looking for a range of different people to work with, including:

  • Models (male and female)
  • Makeup artists
  • Shoot location assistants
  • Second-photographers
  • Hair stylists
  • Wardrobe
  • etc

Please add your details to our database here and we will get back to you when a suitable job comes up.

In the “Tell us about you” section, include info like what type of style you specialise in, what types of jobs are of most interest to you. We would rather work with people who are in their comfort or interest zone.

A makeup artist preparing a model for a shoot in Yokohama Japan
A makeup artist preparing a model for a shoot in Yokohama Japan

We won’t be employing people, but contracting them on a per-job basis. We believe in equity, diversity, respect, dignity, and workplace safety.

Collaboration Call

Lockdowns are over and many industries need to reinvigorate and recreate or create new connections. We are wanting to work with makeup artists, models, and costume designers to make a project go forward that can be used for our own self-promotion efforts. The long term plan is to get financial support for this project, and for it to be profitable for all involved (participants and financial supporters).

Theme: Women outdoors, in nature, in the sun, doing adventurous activities. More specific details will be given to serious potential collaborators and funding supporters.

Aim: To be at least shortlisted in any state or national art, photography, or other awards and competitions.

Opportunities for sponsors: Exposure with product placement and multiple @ mentions in social media, and on-going placement in social media posts, videos, and in professional creatives’ portfolios.

International Women’s Day 2021

Our ethos is equity, respect, dignity, freedom, and travel. To honour these, we’ll offer 30% off commercial photo shoots for female small business owners. This can be for products, show of experiences and services, professional portraits, whatever.

Terms and conditions: small businesses (less than 10 employees), the company director be female, be situated in Victoria Australia. Certain expenses like travel costs cannot be discounted.

Contact us now. Valid for anytime before Easter 2021

New Coastal and Maiko Wall Art

For a limited time, we’ve added new wall art to our store. They all are our favourites. But if we had to choose one… then our favourite is Apostles Beach, Pt Lonsdale Lighthouse, and Maiko in Kyoto.

They are printed on archival-gallery quality acid-free paper with high quality printers and ink. Available as frame or unframed prints, and artist-signed prints available too. Printed in Melbourne for Australian region distribution, and US and EU authorised makers. More details in the product descriptions.

See them all here Travel Photos Store.

Free Portrait Sesh Sat 13th Feb

A FREE PORTRAIT SESSION!!!! Sounds awesome right?!

Perfect for Lunar New Year & Valentines Day!

It’s our first public event since lockdowns, so we’re a little shy and nervous, but it’s a great chance to step out and do something different. We have professional experience in travel photography, but – like you – we can’t go anywhere. So, instead of stewing at home, we wanna get out and do pseudo-travel photography (pretend travel portraiture). So…

Let’s have some fun. Wear your best fashion, wear a top hat. Put that kimono on. Dust off that frock. Polish those boots. Do whatever you need to blast the lockdown lethargy and cobwebs off.

Why free? We really, really, really, wanna do portraiture again! We really wanna do stuff with the camera. We really wanna meet people again.

What does it cost? The shoot will be free. You’ll get two photos that will be small (not printable), but socially shareable. These will be AirDropped or emailed to you on the spot.

What can be paid for? More photos, professionally post-processed, printed on high quality art paper, framed, and delivered. Usually, a photoshoot costs money because it requires time to do properly. So, if you want something different and unique, let’s arrange that shoot.

Where? On the steps of the Old Treasury Building, Melbourne CBD.

When? Please book a time with us, which will be on Saturday the 13th Feb. Will we do this again? Probably not… for a very long time.

How long will it take? It’s free, so it will be a very short photoshoot, just 20mins or so, plus a bit of on-the-spot photo selection and post-processing.

FAQ continues… What if it rains? Great!

Model call: Outdoor clothing Melbourne Vic #ModelCall

Outdoor clothing modelling

I have an expression of interest from a client, and so I need to research options.

Who am I?  Andrew is a commercial photographer who has been based in Japan for nearly 15 years. For family reasons he’s returned and is re-establishing his business his business in Australia. You can see his old website at JapanesePhotos.Asia, his Model Mayhem account, Instagram, and Twitter for more background on him.

Who: We need both male and female models who have an interest and history of outdoor activities. Yes, you can suggest a friend to work with; we will consider their portfolio. Ultimately, the client makes the final approval of who we can work with.

What: The job is to model outdoor clothing and some equipment. If you have not done fashion modelling before, please research some suitable poses.

Pay: We need to know what your fees are on a per hour and on a per day basis. We are not looking for the cheapest models, but the most suitable, I just need to present options and cost approximations to the client. I usually pay from about $25/hr or $100 a day, but this usually depends on the job and the clients’ budget.

Portfolio: To present the best case to the client, we need a few things:

  • Your online portfolio (usually your Instagram or Model Mayhem account is fine). We assume that portfolios that include outdoor activities may be viewed more favourably.
  • Your per hour / per day payment expectations.
  • If you’re ok with sharing behind the scenes images of the shoot on your social media account, and if you’re ok to share many of the final images on your social media account too.
  • Your clothing sizes (for shirts, jackets, trousers, shoes – Aust size & cm); height, waist, bust, chest, hat/head sizes.
  • Availability (we prefer weekdays, but weekends might be possible)
  • (emailing a pdf with a sample of photos and the above responses will make it a lot easier for us)

Where: The shoot will be done in a National Park or similar place near Melbourne or the Yarra Ranges. Transport may be provided from either Epping or a convenient nearby train station. If we shoot in a National Park, we may be limited on the number of vehicles we are allowed in, so it is ok to have a friend drop you off and pick you up again.

When: mid July (probably on weekdays), TBA. The shoot may be timed for when you (the models) are available.

Makeup: Please do your own, a makeup artist probably won’t be approved by the client. Please don’t do high fashion or glamour, but suitable for outdoor & camping type of activities.

Accommodation: If this is a multi-day shoot, none is provided this time, so you will need to return to your home each day, which will probably be after sunset. We suggest to have a friend pick you up as you may be too tired to drive safely near the end of the day.

Wear: Most clothing will be provided. Please bring your own warm clothes for comfort in between shoots. We strongly suggest thermal underclothes (especially v-neck). It is possible that thermal underclothing may be provided, tbc. Please ask and confirm this closer to the time of the shoot.

Food & bring: Main meals (probably only lunch) will be provided, but please bring your own drinks and snacks. Portable battery charger for your phone with cables. Your own makeup supplies. A book or your music to help recharge and reset in rest periods.

Liability: Travel Photos PtyLtd and the client will consider you as a sub-contractor. Which means you need to be responsible for your own public liability insurance, your own health insurance, and so forth.

Final note:  Andrew and Travel Photos PtyLtd prefer to work with people we know. If we can do this shoot, there is a higher probability we will work together again.

Updates: This page was last updated on 10th July.

25th July 2019:  The client has put back the the shoot due to other projects being prioritised. Further updates will come when the shoot can be scheduled.

Mt Hakone volcanic activity

In March 2018 I visited Mt Hakone when family came to Japan to visit. One of the places we went to was the Mt Fuji area. We went to Lake Ashi on one of those touristy pirate ship cruises. We then went on a cable car up to the Mt Hakone caldera visitor centre. While there, we saw lots of warning signs, including ones that said that if sirens went off, we should evacuate the mountain immediately. However, the lines for the cable cars were really long, and that was just a normal, and not even considering people were finishing the day and were all coming down off the mountain yet.

Looking into the crater of the Mt Hakone volcano. More images available for sale at the stock library.
The Mt Hakone volcano at level 1 alert, which means access to the crater is possible because of no current tremor activity

Mt Fuji and Mt Hakone both are considered active volcanoes, just no recent activity that would prevent people from building a visitor’s centre and tourist industry. It was reported that on Saturday the 18th May there were no tremors on Mt Hakone. However, by Sunday 9am there were 21 (Japan Times), and a further 24 through the day. The Japan Meteorological Bureau announced that they closed access to the visitor centre and raised the alert level from 1 to 2, on a scale of 5. Level 1 means “Potential for increased activity”, and they put warning signs everywhere and evacuation sirens. Level 2 is “Do not approach the crater”, Level 3 is “Do not approach the volcano, Level 4 is “Prepare to evacuate the area”, and Level 5 is of course “Run like you’re Samuel L Jackson in a disaster movie” (JMA). At time of writing, not all parts of the JMA English website had been properly updated, but here is the detailed page: https://www.jma.go.jp/en/volcano/forecast_03_20190518171517.html

The last time Mt Hakone is thought to have erupted was some time in the 12th or 13th centuries. The alert level was last raised to 3 in 2015. These images and more are available for sale at https://ablyth.photoshelter.com/

Looking into the crater at Mt Hakone volcano. More images available for sale at the stock library.
The Mt Hakone volcano at level 1 alert, which means access to the crater is possible because of no current tremor activity