PARALLELS
CHARACTERS CREATE STORIES
HOW IT WORKS
Maybe the most important thing to consider when trying to make your picture tell a story is car choice. Parallels are all about making these subject choices seamless and effective in creating a narrative that's purposeful. By curating individual car choices, photographers are able to promote certain theories in the minds of their viewers, ultimately giving the photo the highest possible perceived quality. Whereas zoom, context, and placement frame the photo, who it depicts tells its story.
IDENTICAL
SUBJECTS
MORE OF THE SAME ISN'T ALWAYS A BAD THING
Drawing parallels with identical subjects isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does pigeonhole the product's narrative. Having (two or more) of the same is a one-two punch of the same flavor, and being so, is only best successful in creating certain images, such as those that depict trim level changes, competition (presumably against teammates), or a focus on a characteristic/multitude of a singular model
TIPS
- Placing multiple of the same subject in one image can also be used to showcase even bigger parallels, such as the French flag (see headliner image)
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- Using identical subjects, you can showcase different angles (e.g. back/front, left/right 3/4) of a subject by changing its positioning rather than the camera's
NATIONALITIES
EVERYTHING COMES FROM SOMEWHERE, AND THAT CONNECTION IS POWERFUL
Drawing parallels between subject nationalities is helpful when trying to utilize ties to create narratives. Some archetypes are timeless, which make creating a good picture much easier. Matching nationalities such as a Japanese car stationed at Daikoku Park, or a Ferrari speeding along the Cote d'Azur, is a surefire way to create quality. By matching origin stories between both subject and scenery, picture cohesion will not only be at its highest visually, but conceptually as well.
TIPS
- Connecting nationalities doesn't just mean taking a picture in that place, but connecting to the characteristics of that place, such as Horizon's British depiction of the Japanese cherry blossoms
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- This parallel really is most effective if the connection made is something obvious, don't make a connection too vague, or else you'll risk alienating the potential of the photograph
COLOR PARALLELS
SIMPLE DOESN'T MEAN INNEFECTIVE
Drawing parallels between subject colors surely is the easiest parallel to draw, but don't overlook it, for it may be the most visually pleasing. In all honesty, its a simple concept; match the color on a subject with a color in the background. In doing so, you will help create a sense of shared value between the two, increasing picture cohesion. Visually, its the most obvious parallel, and that helps you connect with your audience. With no deeper meanings applied underneath (unless desired), the photograph can be celebrated for its face value, rather than face potential ambiguity.
