Last Updated: February 14th, 2020
As I gear up for the final season of Game of Thrones (UPDATE: With the conclusion of Season 8, Game of Thrones is now over; this article, however, still includes relevant and powerful thoughts and insights into how to become a better photographer using Game of Thrones analogies.), I thought I’d explore photography in a way that only a GOT nerd could. In this article, I am going to be talking about ways you can improve your photography – but communicating this through analogies to the show and book series.
One of the reasons why we decided to take this approach is that, sometimes, photography education content can be a little dry and redundant. Nothing kills our interest in learning when things are boring. The good news? Game of Thrones is really interesting and engaging for us, and while we’ve spent plenty of time daydreaming about it, a lot of great pivotal elements have stuck with us in a way that enable us to talk about our favorite past time.
In order to make this post as interesting and entertaining as possible, we’re going to be entering spoiler territory throughout – of both the show and the books. So – consider this your warning!!
A little drama can go a long way
The number one thing that Game of Thrones is good at is interjecting some well needed drama into my life. The dramatic flair is what makes the books and show so engrossing. This drama plays out in a number of ways, and goes as far as to lead to war and deaths throughout the series.
One of my favorite sequences from Season 6 was the opening 10 minutes of “The Light of the Seven.” Assuming you’ve watched the show up to this point, it was really powerful. The actual on screening drama was heavily complimented by the great piano-driven soundtrack. The song guides what is happening, and the final crescendo is paired with a lot of devastation that totally changes the way the game is played.
How does this relate to photography? Now, I’m not suggesting that you need to go start some drama to get a good photograph. But! A little drama can go a long way. This can be achieved through finding the right light for the images you’re trying to capture.
It all really starts with an egg
We might get into a debate about this, but I’d have to say that the real heart of the story of Fire & Ice revolves around the dragons. The earliest exposure to the dragons came in the form of the well guarded eggs. It’s almost silly when you think about it, but a good jumping off point. Plus – the eggs helped to showcase some of Daenerys’ close allies and enemies.
How does this relate to photography? Every photographer needs to start somewhere. Just like Game of Thrones as a multi-media event, having a jumping off point to tell a really compelling story is not to be overlooked. If you are a beginner photographer, we highly suggest you get to know all you can about taking great photos, then take the time to apply that knowledge through a whole lot of practice. One day you’ll look back on the “egg” of photography you once had, and it’ll turn into a giant dragon that you can ride around.
Even great people & plans can fail
Game of Thrones features some seriously epic fails. But few people in the story fail harder than Stannis Baratheon (shoutout to r/StannisTheMannis). From early on, he seemed destined to become the king of the Iron Throne, but through a series of events – including trusting a witch – he ends up coming up short. Needless to say, it was a rough and cold Sunday when I had to watch the culmination of that plot.
How does this relate to photography? Photography is as much about the great shots that work out as it is about the times we fail. Personally, sometimes I just miss a shot or miscalculate my settings. Other times, things out of my control get in the way – like a model not arriving as planned or a freak storm rolling in. The good news is this – unlike Game of Thrones, which likes to show a lot of the bleak outcomes in life, when we fail as photographers, we can just as easily try again afterwards. I miss one shot, and get 5 more.
Sacrifice is necessary
While there are a lot of rough spots in Game of Thrones, there are still plenty of characters that make decisions for the greater good. Some of these decisions are particularly weighty and result in unfortunate consequences – even death. To kick things off, Ned Stark sacrificed a whole lot and really operated as the “moral good” foundation the show (I also cried). Later, Jon Snow falls to a similar fate…until his story takes a big turn…
How does this relate to photography? In my experience, the best photos I’ve taken are the result of either 1). luck or 2). good planning and sacrifice. The lucky shots are great and come around once in a while. When you shoot as much as I do, it’s nice to get a break like that from time to time. But most of the time, I need to do things to go out of my comfort zone, go to new locations, network and meet people, and so on. The biggest sacrifice I’ve given for my photography adventures has been my time. I’ve felt this especially as I run a photo business – working up and over 100 hours a week at times. It’s the insanity and sacrifice, but it pays off. At least I’m not missing my head 🙂
Every culture and location has it’s place
What do Spain, Iceland, Croatia, Morocco, Northern Ireland, and Malta have in common?
They’ve all been real life filming locations for the Game of Thrones TV show!
It’s an amazing thing how the places in our world transcribe so nicely to the fantasy world of this universe. While descriptions in the book set a great stage, getting to see these places with our own eyes on TV is just another experience altogether. It really makes things feel alive.
How does this relate to photography? Photographers often have an appreciation for travel. Or at least, capturing pictures of new places. Game of Thrones was actually a big inspiration for us to visit Iceland. Though we had wanted to go there for quite a while, seeing some landmark locations made them that much more interesting for us to see with our own eyes. Our landscape photography game was brought up a notch as a direct result of our experiences there!
Trial by combat
Remember when Bronn fought in a trial-by-combat for Tyrion? That was serious business. We had a good laugh at some poor guys expense. But then as the story continued, trial-by-combat became increasingly normal. It led to some excruciating and heart-crushing moments – including what can now only be known as the “watermelon experience” in Thrones circles.
How does this relate to photography? A little competition now-and-again can help to better your photography. We like to participate in Shoot and Share, a worldwide photography competition where the best images are chosen through democratic choice (everyone and anyone can vote on images). On a smaller scale, even just going out shooting with a friend and comparing photos later can help you to learn more. No one needs to get hurt in the process 🙂
Just keep rowing
At the end of season 2, our good friend Gendry goes for a little boat ride. For the next 4 years (in the real world), we hear hardly a whisper about him. The internet absolutely blew up with concern that this would end up being a serious plot hole in the show – but sure enough we rediscovered each other in season 6. He must have arms of steel from all that rowing.
How does this relate to photography? A huge part of being a photographer is learning to just be persistent (or, otherwise, determined). As you learn, taking great photos becomes gradually easier. But it would be hard to argue that anyone ever truly “masters” photography. There is always a new lighting situation or, in the case of portrait photography, a new personality to learn to work with.
The Kiss on the Wall
I have a soft spot for a good romantic tale. It’s what led me to become a wedding photographer in the first place. The simple and maybe “too soon” romance of Ygritte and Jon Snow made for some great character interplay. My wife and I even took a side trip while in Iceland to visit Grjótagjá – the volcanic cave lake that was the set of an…interesting….scene between the two. But…needless to say…they share a kiss at the top of The Wall, and we’ll never be the same again.
How does this relate to photography? I highly enjoy photographing couples. Whether a standalone session for an engagement or an anniversary, or shooting an entire wedding day, it is a lot of fun. Having the opportunity to take photos of a couple at a really epic location makes things all the better. If only I could get access to a 700 foot ice wall.
Team Up!
Photography is great because it can be done solo or in groups. The majority of the photo outings I go on include my wife. From time to time, we team up with other photographers for styled shoots and other get together, allowing us to just have a good time socializing and taking great photos. Sometimes, it’s unlikely pairings, like The Hound and Arya, that make for the best teams.
How does this relate to photography? Having a photography business that my wife and I run together, our approaches to photography mesh well enough that we create a cohesive style. It’s great to be able to come away from any event with two angles of the same thing. The support also makes photography much more enjoyable for me.
Surprises happen!
Do you remember The Red Wedding? Well, if you need a refresher, here is a compilation video of people around the world reacting to what happens:
When the “Rains of Castamere” began to play, we all knew something was up. Even book readers were caught off guard. It was the one scene that really solidified Game of Thrones in the upper echelon of fantasy TV shows.
How does this relate to photography? Some of my favorite photography experiences have been total surprises. Sometimes it’s as simple as a really unexpected-but-beautiful sunset. Other times, real magic just happens before us. Maybe one of the biggest surprises that left me feeling like I achieved something great in life was getting to experience the magic of Icelandic horses at a viking village.
Winter is Coming
Winter in Game of Thrones is a foreboding force. The cold winter brings with it a sense of dread as everyone needs to be stockpiled with food, as it’s unpredictable how long winter will actually last. It turns out, winter also brings with it the forces of darkness – such as the Whitewalker invasion that is going to be more fully realized in Season 7 this year.
How does this relate to photography? As a photographer, I sometimes dread winter too. When I was young I used to enjoy the freezing weather and snow, but these days it’s a little rougher to get into. Still, once I’m able to wake up and get outside, winter photography is actually great. Shooting in snow is really awesome and can add some cool drama to photos. I’ve also found that sunrises and sunsets are even more vibrant – making shooting during those times especially great.
Don’t Just Hold the Door
Sometimes, there are people who just exist to “hold the door.” If ever there was a time I cried watching TV, that was it. It was one of the biggest twists in all of Game of Thrones, and I doubt anything coming up in Season 7 will be able to really rival it.
How does this relate to photography? Okay, so this almost borders on a life tip, but here I go. Sometimes, you need to be really proactive to get the shot you want. In my world, this often means managing my anxiety and putting myself in situations I might not always be entirely comfortable with. Pushing out of a comfort zone is hard, but the results can be really great.
King in the North
After a long and arduous journey, Jon Snow became the King in the North. Who knows exactly how things will end up working out for him, but I remain optimistic. I guess we’ll see in April 2019. 🙂
How does this relate to photography? Through all the education, practice, and experience – you too can become a great photographer that has the power to inspire people through your images.
If you found this article remotely entertaining or informative, leave a comment saying “King in the North!!”