Stories Through Photography: Flight
We asked 14 visual storytellers to share a favorite photo along with a description of what they love most about their work.
Ryan captures each moment with sacred intentionality, understanding their fleeting nature but the enduring memory relayed through a simple image. His pursuit to capture beauty in its rawness restores awe and extends an invitation to see the world as he does: full of wonder and laden with glory.
What do you love about this photo?
“I love this photo for many reasons. First, I love the beautiful connection between the father and his son. The photo portrays strong elements of trust and encouragement, as well as joy. Also, I love the birds taking flight from Haystack Rock in the background. They are so sporadic, yet I do not find them distracting. If anything, they parallel the flying sensation the son is experiencing as his father tosses him in the air. Along with that, I love the simplicity of the colors and shapes. The yellow to black gradient is a smooth backdrop for the subjects. The silhouettes keep the photo simple, and instead of associating certain thoughts with the subjects’ faces, it makes it easier for viewers to relate to the subjects, whether that is the father or the son. And the edge of the rock acts as a great leading line, drawing the viewer’s eyes from the main subjects into the background, where the birds are flying. Finally, I love the tangible memory I was able to provide to this father and his son. They will never have that same moment again, but I was able to capture it in an image that they can always look back on.”
Stories come in many shapes, sizes, and mediums and impact everyone deeply. A simple photo captures a story in beautiful ways. The stories we tell shape the culture we live in and we want to highlight photographers using their talents to tell the stories that matter.
Ryan Waneka is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. For more of Ryan’s photography, visit www.ryanwaneka.com and @ryanwaneka
