Behind-the-Scenes Photography
Photographers are visual storytellers. Like any other storytellers, we try to carefully craft our stories. That is, carefully choose what we show (tell) and what we leave out, in order to make the story more interesting and engaging. But each story has its backstory, the one the audience doesn’t often get to see or hear. While not always shared, backstories add an important element to the overall story, making it more real, and part of everyday life. Bts images give an informal touch to a visual story, helping audiences to better connect and relate to the overall story.
Most of the time, as photographers, we seldom share bts images from our shoots. That is, we share and mention bts images in how-to articles, blogs, or workshops for educational reasons or, again, to give that real, informal touch to the main story.
Bts images reveal the work we do behind the scenes. Oftentimes, they capture photographers at work. Bts images reveal what is really behind the scenes of a photo shoot, offering an answer to how the image was created in the first place. Bts images also show those individuals (other than the photographer) who help make that final image.
Sometimes, the backstory becomes an intrinsic part of the main story. Maybe that’s true especially when shooting on location, covering certain events.
For example, in photographing shows at the Manhattan Neighborhood Network studio, one tells the full story by capturing performers on the stage, as well as those behind the cameras or in the control room, who help put the show together.
Below is an image of the fantastic Gloria Messer, producer of Ron B’s No Boundaries: Up Close and Personal show. She’s behind the camera, at MNN, making sure that everything looks good, before the taping of the show.
Other BTS images: in between takes, at MNN in NYC
Behind the scenes, in the control room:
Sometimes, “bts” images, say, from an event, help show how the event (not the photo shoot) was put together. Here are a few behind-the-scenes (or before the event) images from NYC Pride. They don’t capture the main event, the Pride March, but rather a preparation for the March. Here are a few examples:
Bts images show how images were made. Such as this selfie at AIDS Walk NY:
Sometimes, bts event images are an intrinsic part of the event, itself. For example, here’s a DJ surrounded by artwork, at the Found art show hosted by Leslie-Lohman Museum, in NYC.
Other bts images offer a glimpse into putting together an art show.
There are different kinds of behind-the-scenes images. Most of the time, they do not belong in the final visual story. Sometimes, they make it more real, adding a new dimension, and perspective. If nothing else, bts images offer us a look in the rearview mirror of our work, giving us a chance to grow and improve our skills.
As always, thank you for stopping by!
Alina Oswald 