Cinemagraphs Tell Stories

Cinemagraphs not only capture a moment in time, they create a story from it.

These stories play again and again, continually looping, as if time, for those brief seconds, has stopped. As if time is static. By adding an element of motion, a still photo turns into something much more transfixing. The creator gets to choose which area of the image to add motion to, making each cinemagraph personal and entirely unique.

How do you want to tell your story?

Tattered pink curtains billow in the wind, as a rusty trailer slowly decays. This amazing cinemagraph tells a story of abandonment and the progression of time.

By: Rick Gerrity

Using Cinemagraphs in Film

As a fairly young medium, people are continually finding new and interesting ways to utilize and showcase their living photos. Below are three films comprised of cinemagraphs with a musical underscore. By using living photos instead of standard video, each scene is emphasized; the emotions and actions heightened by subtlety.

Joel Compass “Back to Me”. By, Ian & Cooper

By combining the art of cinemagraphs with a powerful song – “Back to Me” by Joel Compass, Ian and Cooper created a surreal story about retribution and good vs. evil. Much like a standard film, this video contains a beginning, middle and end, with a surprising twist. Mesmerizing and creepy, I dare you to only watch it once!

Kelsi Luck “That’s What I Like”

This second example by Kelsi Luck follows a more direct music video narrative, interchanging between a handful of scenes. Beautifully crafted, each cinemagraph tells it’s own part of the overall story.

Tour de Manège. By, Barprod (Ana Dumitrescu)

Through a different approach, Ana chose to showcase her collection of cinemagraphs in a non-linear structure, taking the viewer through the sights and sounds of an amusement theme-park. An eerie yet playful tune underscores cinemagraphs of rides, flashing lights, and wandering people. Simple, yet effective, her work is truly inspiring.

What ways have you used living photos to tell stories? Share your cinemagraph creations on social media using the hashtag #Flixel! We love to feature work from our Flixel Community.