I’ve discussed photo series a few times on this blog and in webinars. Soon, I’ll cover this topic for the 2023 Out of Chicago LIVE! Conference. Both, in a free photo challenge (on Jan 24, at noon) and then more comprehensively during the conference on February 5. So, if this topic interests you, sign up for one or both!

As far as the conference goes, it’s a great event – over 50 instructors covering many genres of photography for a very reasonable price + you have access to everything that’s covered over the 3-day conference for 12 months after it all wraps!

Ok, onto the real point of this post. One way to look at series, that I won’t really be discussing during the conference, is about pulling images to create a triptych. A grouping of three shots that relate to each other in one way or another.

One-Subject Triptych

The first way, take one subject and show pieces of that that connect to each other when shown next to each other. Here are 3 takes on the Stata Center on the MIT campus in Boston (designed by Frank Gehry).

Not only is it about 3 different ways to show the same area of the building, but sequencing is important to allow the flow of one image to the next and for each to tell a bit about the space. The left and right images are the most minimal, showing just slivers of the stainless steel. While the middle image is more about the stainless steel and the windows in that space. A more whole version of the space with the other two representing a more simplistic/minimal take and flanking the one that’s a bit different in comparison to the grouping.

Themed Triptych

Then, there’s the triptych/mini-series that’s based on a theme where the images are pulled from various locations but speak to the greater idea.

In this case, all the images feel like elements of flowers (they do to me, at least), all have a dark/moody feeling (due to editing choices). And, as with the first triptych, each image flows from one to the next allowing the viewer to easily progress through the series.

One-Subject + editing variations

This next subject is a staircase from a Rotterdam building. It was white so I decided to play around with my post-processing to give it a different feeling based on the white balance I gave the shots.

It is a one-subject triptych with each image highlighting different elements of the design, with each playing off of the other shots. The two with negative space flanking the middle image which fills the frame.

You could pair all 9 images together to display the different feelings each color evokes or select the one color that most speaks to you.

Take a look through your work with this idea in mind and see what you come up with!