In my workshops, I often get questions like:

– How do I find my style?
– How do I stay creative?
– How do I tell a story in one photograph?

The answers to those are rather long and complicated and they bring more questions rather than a direct answer.

One thing I can say is that I believe your style comes from everything your brain consumed and is still consuming every day. So it’s good to step away from your medium – photography – and consume other types of art.

And to tell a story in one photograph? Well, that is EXTREMELY difficult. But the question you need to ask yourself first is: ARE you a storyteller? Because in all honesty, telling a story with ONE image is probably the hardest way of telling a story. So if you are not a storyteller already, maybe you should look at that first…

Here is a very personal list of things I think photographers should watch/read.

This is a dynamic list and I’ll add more things as I remember them.

So make sure to bookmark it and check back in every once in a while!

PS: I have no Amazon affiliate program, the links for the books at the end are just to make your life easier.

TV Shows

Mr. Robot: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4158110/

Sam Esmail is a tech head and a storytelling genius. Rami Malek is Elliot Alderson, a hacker trying to do good. But you don’t need to like tech to watch this show. It’s not just the story that makes this my favourite TV Show ever, but how Esmail tells it.

Get ready to see all rules of composition be broken or used in ways you never thought could work. THAT is the reason it’s a must watch for photographers.

Interesting note: there’s an episode in the last season where they simply DO NOT SPEAK, and yet you cannot stop watching.

Better Call Saul: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3032476/

Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad, needs no introduction. This is an entertaining show that also uses the rules of composition in very interesting ways.

Movies

The Salt of the Earth: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3674140/

Wim Wenders, my favourite director, co-writes and co-directs this stunning documentary about photographer Sebastião Salgado.

Peter Lindbergh – Women’s Stories: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9677806/

A stunning documentary about my favourite photographer, through interviews and archives, mostly by the eyes of the women in his personal and professional life.

Janela da Alma (Window of the Soul): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297986/

A documentary about the important of vision.

We’ll take Manhattan: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1885440/

A beautiful made-for-tv movie about the relationship between model Jean Shrimpton and photographer David Bailey in the 1960s.

The Bang Bang Club: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1173687/

Based on true events. It follows photojournalists during the final days of the apartheid in South Africa.

Wings of Desire: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093191/

Wim Wenders again. Beautifully filmed, the movie that inspired the popular City of Angels ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120632/ ) and Peter Lindbergh famous angel shoot with Amber Valletta in NYC ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHGXJnLMMaE ).

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359950/

I’m not a Ben Stiller fan, but this is a surprisingly beautiful and entertaining movie.

The Vast of Night: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6803046/

This extremely low budget movie – around U$700k is beautifully filmed in very dark sets with incredible directing and acting.

Artists of all types

Wim Wenders: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000694/

My favourite film director. Wim Wenders is German and was very close friends with Peter Lindbergh.

Favourite Movies: Until the End of the World – Director’s Cut ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101458/ ); Wings of Desire ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093191/ ); Paris, Texas ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087884/ ).

Ingmar Bergman: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000005/

Swedish director. Created classic movies that are must watch. You can watch any of his B&W movies and it’ll be a masterclass in lighting.

Favourite Movies: The Seventh Seal ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050976/ ); Wild Strawberries ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050986/ ); Persona ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060827/ ).

YouTube Content

Nerdwriter1: https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdwriter1/videos

Been watching this guy for a while now. He analyses EVERYTHING, from movies to paintings. Worth a binge.

Peter Lindbergh – The Supermodel Photographer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Rsf5fYQ4I

Because you can’t have enough of this amazing photographer.

In Fashion Uncut – Peter Lindbergh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2u2RnAAP9k

Again, because you can’t have enough of this amazing photographer.

Books

The Little Prince: https://www.amazon.com.au/Little-Prince-Antoine-Saint-Exupéry-Translation/dp/1938412486/

Since I was 10 years old, I read this book every 5 years.

Peter Lindbergh – On Fashion Photography: https://www.amazon.com.au/Peter-Lindbergh-Fashion-Photography-Anniversary/dp/3836582503/

I own this book and it has post-its EVERYWHERE.

Kate Moss by Mario Testino: https://www.amazon.com.au/Kate-Moss-Mario-Testino/dp/3836597918/

I bought this book by mistake and I’m so happy I did!