Sequential Images: Ideas and Research

Duane Michals is an American photographer, born in 132. He is famous for using sequential images to tell stories. He has created many different works during his career. Most of his photos are not just single images but sequence that tell a story. Some of his series show everyday life, emotions, dreams, or imaginative ideas. 

I found two of his famous works for my blog.

The first onw is Things Are Queer (1973). This series has nine photos. Each phto changes how we see the one before it, amd the last photo goes back to the first.

When I look at Things Are Queer, I feel that the photos are very real and honest. They show simple, everyday moments, but in a way that makes me thing carefully about what is happening. The series feels a little surprising and playful, and sometimes mysterios. It make me image stories behind. I also feel curiosity and joy when I look at the sequence. 

The second one is I Build a Pyramid (1978) with six photos. 

When I look at this photo series, I feel quite and a bit lonely. The man looks very small in front of the huge pyramids, but he still builds his own little pile of stones. It makes me think about how people always try to do something meaningful, even if it seem samll compared to big things in history.

From this research, I learn that sequential images can do more than show movement. They can tell a story, create emotions, and even confuse or surprise the audience. For my own work, I want to plan a sequence that also has a beginning, middle and end like a short story. 

Thank to Duane Michals, I got the idea for my photos. I wanted to try the same by simple life scenes and capturing them like sequential images like me making tea. 

This inspiration helped me a lot when I planned my photos. I learned tp watch small details, like my movements, and think about how each photo can tell part of a story. It also made me feel more confident to try taking shots, knowing that even simple actions can become interesting in sequential images.

Reference:

Duane Michals, Things Are Queer, 1973. Available at: https://www.dcmooregallery.com/artists/duane-michals/series/sequences

Jackson Fine Art. I Build a Pyramid, 1978. Available at: https://www.jacksonfineart.com/exhibitions/24/works/artworks-28460