Photography is a medium that is often characterized by groups of images, rather than just a single image. Whether it’s a book of photographs, a portfolio, an exhibition, a slideshow, or even just a website, photographs are often shown as a body of multiple images. One of the most crucial things to keep in mind when showing a body of work is how this group of images is edited, and then how it is sequenced. An art form (and job title) unto itself, photo editing is a true skill that can make or break the way an audience experiences your photographs. It’s something every photographer should be cognizant of and a tool everyone can use to elevate their photography and make sure the work is seen in the way they decide.
Much like you would edit an individual photograph—in this context, editing is the manipulation and adjustment of a single photo—editing and sequencing a group of photographs is transforming the way you see the images and how you experience certain photographs. Techniques like pacing and narrative sequence can be employed to inflict a new meaning into certain images; intensity can be heightened or tamed, and an overall arc can be created that helps viewers piece together disparate photographs in a more meaningful way. But how do you edit and sequence a body of work? There is no exact answer, but here are some tips to help you get started thinking about the process more actively.
Don’t Be Afraid to Remove Images
Starting with one of the most difficult ones, you have to work hard to get over the personal desire to include more images. Over the years, I’ve had professors and mentors give me little reminders, such as “the overall body of work is only as good as your weakest image” or “if you have any hesitation about whether or not an image should remain in an edit, then that’s a sign it should probably be cut.” All of this advice is relative, of course, and it’s still forever going to be a struggle to cut some images out of an edit due to personal affiliations and relational experiences we have with our images. The more you work on making edits of your work, though, the better you’ll get at it. Don’t be afraid to remove images; save them for another time, another series, or another occasion.
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