Hands Tell the Story

Venetian Lacemaking

A big part of travel is watching people engage in local arts and craft-making. We ache to get good photographs of the projects. Next time you have the opportunity to view someone engaged in an activity that requires the use of their hands, hone in on their hands! That’s where the action is, and where there is action, there is a story.

We were touring the lace-making island of Burano on a trip to Venice one year, and were treated to a fascinating demonstration of this ancient art as we entered one of the shops. I tried some head-on shots, facing this beautiful elderly woman as she plied her craft. No luck. The shots were flat and not interesting at all. As we walked behind her to view the displays, I glanced back for one last look, and there it was – the shot I wanted. I framed down with my telephoto lens and clicked. The hands told the story. I didn’t need a flash; the light illuminated her work. The angles of her hands over her work and the angle of her head and body created the dynamic feel I wanted. Her bright red dress gave me a perfect color accent and drew my eye into the photo. I knew I had a great memory of our outing.

PS:

Turn off the flash. The sudden “pop” distracts the person doing the project, and it may create too much light, blotting out what you are trying to capture.

Add just enough of a face and body to bring life to the story. Too much information distracts from the main subject – the action itself.