10 Themes of Storytelling

When discussing the artistry behind film and/or photography, there are considered to be 10 major themes associated with them: mood, goal, backstory, character, obstacle, relationship, setting, the unknown, time

Mood: conveys atmosphere, feelings or tone
This picture demonstrates a mood that is ominous and senses the danger to come. The color temperature leans towards the blue, cooler side of the spectrum and the shot is in deep focus. The most vibrant bolt of lightning is set off center at the lower right intersection point, while the tornado dominates the left half of the frame. The shot is angled upward to look at the storm and make it seem as a dangerous and superior force.

Goal: whatever the character is pursuing

This image demonstrates the butterfly, as it has reached maturity and completed its goal of being able to fly. This is a narrow focus lens, as is demonstrated by the extremely shallow focus, with the background completely blurred out. There is a slight graphic vector along the flowers that has a downward lateral direction. The butterfly itself is centered at the upper right intersection point and dominates a majority of the upper half of the frame. The shot is at a neutral level showing equality between the viewer and the butterfly, suggesting that the viewer can also achieve his/her goals if they try hard enough and give enough effort. 

Backstory: a history that promotes fuller understanding of the narrative.
This image is one that demonstrates a sense of hope as a flower is emerging in a field of ice, showing the will to survive. The flower bud is located at the middle to upper half of the frame, while the rest of the flower is in the middle to bottom half of the frame, making sure to have the important points at the intersection points. The lens type cannot be determined for sure, but is most likely a wide angle lens as the shot is in deep focus. The foreground is composed entirely of the flower, while the mid and backgrounds are the cold encasing ice. The camera is looking down to view the flower, showing the insignificance of just one flower, but also inspiring hope that one day there will be more flowers that arise from the extreme cold of the ice and survive. 

Character: can be anyone or anything
This shot is composed of a white horse running through an open field. The shot has the eyes of the horse aligned wonderfully along the upper right intersection point and the horse in general seems off centered. The shot does not however give a lot of noseroom or leadroom so it is difficult to determine where the horse is headed. The lens is most likely a narrow lens as in the foreground the horse is in clear focus while the background of the trees is slightly out of focus creating a shallow focus. This white horse is a symbol of purity as demonstrated by his white coat and mane.

Obstacle: anyone or anything in the character's way
This shot is composed of tornadoes lined up in a row along the horizon, demonstrating an ominous future for any in its path. There is a graphic vector that protrudes from the bottom left corner to the middle of the right side of the frame. For this shot, a wide angle lens is used to maintain the deep focus over a large expanse of land. The majority of the tornadoes are located in the left side of the frame, with the bottom most points of a majority of the tornadoes located around the bottom left intersection point. The camera is in a neutral position in relation to the object, suggesting that although the power of the tornadoes is noted, there is also a feeling that the character would be able to stick it out and survive through the obstacle.

Relationship: a relationship between anyone and anything
This is a heartwarming image of a man (assumed to be the father) holding a baby in his arms, demonstrating the strong bond that the two share. This shot could have been taken using either a narrow or wide lens as the shot is in deep focus, with the foreground being the baby and the background the chest of the man. The baby's eyes are located at around the upper right intersection point, and the head is slightly off centered towards the right. The camera is in a neutral position as it is highlighting the possible fragility of a young life, and demonstrates its need for protection.


Setting: any location or environment
This shot shows the barren landscape of the barren savannah, highlighted by the graphic vector of the ground and the wide open expanse behind it that reveals nothing but open space. This shot was taken using a wide angle lens, and is in deep focus. The tree is mainly in the lower and middle left areas of the frame, with the rocks going across the lower middle area of the frame. The majority of the shot is open space and sky, demonstrating limitless possibilities for the future of the character.




the Unknown: can be anything unexpected, a twist

This shot is of a busy street and is taken in some sort of tower at a high angle looking down upon everything else, making them seem insignificant, The shot has a nice use of rack focus where the foreground of the fence is blurred, but the street and buildings are in focus. There are graphic vectors aplenty due to the fence that act as their own points of intersection in the frame.

Time: represents a day or time in history
This shot is interesting because it shows the reflection of the sky over a graphic vector the cuts the shot in half and separates reality from reflection. This was taken with a wide angle lens and is in deep focus. The focus of the shot is unclear, but I think it is the bottom half which shows the reflection. The photographer is trying to grab the attention of the viewer and show the divide between reality and fiction, and show that time can change everything, with the reflection in the foreground, the divider in the midground, and the real sky in the background.