Loved stepping into your grids and your mindset on their creation Stella. I've written before on Substack about what I call, "Photo Resonance". It is an idea as you describe as seeing how the images fit together in ways that just make sense. Such a zen like practice to find new arrangements and connections. I have applied this idea to various visual themes, as well as a way of honoring my dream narratives, or even for setting new intentions. The potential for creative manifestation and inspiration is vast.
Absolutely. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I agree with your idea of photo resonance. So much creative possibilities for sure and I look forward to digging in.
These grids are beautiful! Excellent composition, especially. Bravo! Also, it's super timely for me, Stella! I have been wanting to do something to bring my photos together in a more cohesive way. One of the things I love about film photography is the contact sheet because I can see progressions of the story. May I ask what tool you use to compose these grids?
Thank you, Juliette. Oh, I miss the contact sheet! I remember loving the first time I pull the sheet to view it while they're still dripping wet. To answer your question: You can use any program you're comfortable with that can move images around a page: Photoshop or InDesign are good choices. For me, I use Canva for the ease of moving the photographs around in a page then very easily sharing it via jpg or pdf, etc. I hope you'll give it a go and do share when you have a moment.
Thanks so much for sharing these insights, Stella. Like you, I'm being so drawn to grids as well in my work lately. So inspiring to hear your approach to creating them!
I am ALL IN on this post, Stella. 👏Though I've enjoyed the process creating grids, for some reason I rarely share them. You're arrangements have inspired me to return to this mode of thinking and perhaps post a few. Thank you.
Wonderful! That' so good to hear, Celia. Please share and let me know how it goes. Thank you so much. I'm glad the grid practice inspired you to try something new.
Amazing, Stella! I have never done anything like this with my photographs, except created diptych, triptychs, and so on. Grid study 01 is, I think my favorite. I love the collection of images, how they are arranged and the story they tell. Have you tried to do this with color images? You can imagine that you would have to give those different kinds of considerations.
Thank you, Manuela. Ahh, color! That's the next step. I've done it a ton at my job but haven't applied it much to my own work. That would be the next step to do a color grid. Will definitely share them once I've explored that avenue.
This is a great article, particularly given how hard editing can be. Seeing a series in a grid formation is a very cool tool and one I wouldn’t mind trying more of. That said, I still love printing out a final set of images and playing around with the layout in a tactile way. It’s both childlike and enlightening. Again, thanks for posting this.
Thank you, Pete! Do give it a try and let me know what you discover. Analog or digital, I'm open to anything so follow the process that works best. And, welcome to Sundays with Stella. I'm glad you are here.
I also love grids. They speak of relationships and provide another way of telling visuals stories. I love how you put yours together. There's such a wonderful ebb and flow to the images. Bravo, and thanks so much for sharing.
Beautifully done. Each section provided real food for thought. (The finally one is heartbreaking. Sigh.) Thanks Stella. Beautiful work. Hugs from afar.
Stella, i’ve not heard of ‘grid’ arrangements… thank you for bringing that to our attention and then showing how it is done. Certainly will consider how my photos fit, or don’t fit, together. And learning to grid the photos makes me realize that i don’t (usually) do anything in B&W and yet i think color may not work as well as B&W … ahh, lotsa possible creations in your post for my mind. With much thanks.
My pleasure, Taiyo. I'm glad the grid practice is resonating and turning the wheels in your mind. Do share when you create your first grid. I'd love to see it!
Love these Stella. Really liked the last one and grid study 1
Thank you, Shital. I am loving this practice-- it kind of complements the way I collage but only in pictures
Wow, very, very impressive!
Thank you for looking Søren!
How could I not, they are amazing!
Loved stepping into your grids and your mindset on their creation Stella. I've written before on Substack about what I call, "Photo Resonance". It is an idea as you describe as seeing how the images fit together in ways that just make sense. Such a zen like practice to find new arrangements and connections. I have applied this idea to various visual themes, as well as a way of honoring my dream narratives, or even for setting new intentions. The potential for creative manifestation and inspiration is vast.
Absolutely. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I agree with your idea of photo resonance. So much creative possibilities for sure and I look forward to digging in.
I love these Stella, excellent work - the grid studies with mixed themes and sizes are a great way of telling deeper, more personal stories.
Thank you, Lin! I appreciate it.
Very interesting! Never thought of grids before and now I can’t wait to see them around.
Thank you, Lara! It's a great way to tell a story. It's challenging but I love it.
These grids are beautiful! Excellent composition, especially. Bravo! Also, it's super timely for me, Stella! I have been wanting to do something to bring my photos together in a more cohesive way. One of the things I love about film photography is the contact sheet because I can see progressions of the story. May I ask what tool you use to compose these grids?
Thank you, Juliette. Oh, I miss the contact sheet! I remember loving the first time I pull the sheet to view it while they're still dripping wet. To answer your question: You can use any program you're comfortable with that can move images around a page: Photoshop or InDesign are good choices. For me, I use Canva for the ease of moving the photographs around in a page then very easily sharing it via jpg or pdf, etc. I hope you'll give it a go and do share when you have a moment.
I have put this on my list and will try it out!
Thanks so much for sharing these insights, Stella. Like you, I'm being so drawn to grids as well in my work lately. So inspiring to hear your approach to creating them!
Thank you, Dawn. So wonderful to hear from you. I so appreciate hearing your thoughts. That means a ton!
Nice!
Thank you, Benjamin!
I am ALL IN on this post, Stella. 👏Though I've enjoyed the process creating grids, for some reason I rarely share them. You're arrangements have inspired me to return to this mode of thinking and perhaps post a few. Thank you.
Wonderful! That' so good to hear, Celia. Please share and let me know how it goes. Thank you so much. I'm glad the grid practice inspired you to try something new.
Stunning grids! I love the idea of combining photos this way. Multiple photos definitely tell a better story.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
Amazing, Stella! I have never done anything like this with my photographs, except created diptych, triptychs, and so on. Grid study 01 is, I think my favorite. I love the collection of images, how they are arranged and the story they tell. Have you tried to do this with color images? You can imagine that you would have to give those different kinds of considerations.
Thank you, Manuela. Ahh, color! That's the next step. I've done it a ton at my job but haven't applied it much to my own work. That would be the next step to do a color grid. Will definitely share them once I've explored that avenue.
This is a great article, particularly given how hard editing can be. Seeing a series in a grid formation is a very cool tool and one I wouldn’t mind trying more of. That said, I still love printing out a final set of images and playing around with the layout in a tactile way. It’s both childlike and enlightening. Again, thanks for posting this.
Thank you, Pete! Do give it a try and let me know what you discover. Analog or digital, I'm open to anything so follow the process that works best. And, welcome to Sundays with Stella. I'm glad you are here.
I also love grids. They speak of relationships and provide another way of telling visuals stories. I love how you put yours together. There's such a wonderful ebb and flow to the images. Bravo, and thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Anne!
Beautifully done. Each section provided real food for thought. (The finally one is heartbreaking. Sigh.) Thanks Stella. Beautiful work. Hugs from afar.
Stella, i’ve not heard of ‘grid’ arrangements… thank you for bringing that to our attention and then showing how it is done. Certainly will consider how my photos fit, or don’t fit, together. And learning to grid the photos makes me realize that i don’t (usually) do anything in B&W and yet i think color may not work as well as B&W … ahh, lotsa possible creations in your post for my mind. With much thanks.
My pleasure, Taiyo. I'm glad the grid practice is resonating and turning the wheels in your mind. Do share when you create your first grid. I'd love to see it!