In the art of storytelling, visuals act like pillars upon which narratives are woven. Indeed, for the majority of people, the adage seeing is believing holds true, as what one cannot perceive, one often finds difficult to comprehend. Hence, the appeal of a story’s visuals goes beyond aesthetics and into its ability to capture, enhance, and capture its original idea. Visuals are a portal for imagination and abstract narratives to become reality.
The power of visuals also extends beyond storytelling; it initiates connections between the viewer and the story and sets the pace for how the audience will receive and interact with the narrative. It’s a key element of storytelling, and it can make or mar an entire thought or idea.
The role of a videographer is to conceptualize an idea and execute it by visualising, capturing, and producing crisp videos that succinctly convey the main points behind the thought. For these videographers and filmmakers, their attention to detail is vital, as they are on the path to transforming their ideas into visually interesting and mentally stimulating videos. Here are five videographers and cinematographers who are channelling their inner storytellers through visuals.
KINGANDJOHNSON
Temidayo Johnson, professionally known by his moniker KingandJohnson, is a creative and visual director and editorial photographer based in Lagos, Nigeria. His expertise lies in fashion and lifestyle, and he has fine-tuned creating content within those parameters. Limitless and focused on his craft, he pays rapt attention to the use of sound in sync with visuals to create an interesting multimedia experience.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlgof7khtCw?si=GVrHe699IXb_v41T&w=560&h=315]
In a collaboration with The Styling Duo, KingandJohnson created Pink Noise, a spellbinding fashion film that goes beyond mere appearance. The film highlights the interplay between fashion, environmental and political influences and gender. The short film also emphasizes social issues, including economic downturns, climate change, and the irresponsibility of the ruling class.
The scope of the production also highlights the variety of colors of African heritage, showcasing extravagant, opulent pieces that celebrate the richness and capture the essence of African society. Kingand Johnson’s direction in the film and his execution express his ability to tell intricate, reflective, thought-provoking stories through colours, where every shade, pigment, movement, and sound is an integral part of the story.
Tariebi Joel Visuals
At first glance, one can already tell how profound Tariebi Joel’s creativity is. Working in mainstream media, his work defies standards and norms. Tariebi combines the best of elements to envision and create captivating music videos, bringing to life scripts that further articulate the stories behind the songs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHnXY9F7m9c?si=oNki6Vuf2SRb7-MO&start=2&w=560&h=315]
The visionary behind Spyro and Tiwa Savage’s Who is Your Guy video, tells a simple story of friendship and trust, and the visuals reflect these virtues on screen. The video features depictions of friendships across life stages, including adulthood and marriage. Tariebi Joel takes his craft a step further by aligning his visual storytelling with the song’s message.
Nora Awolowo
Nora Awolowo is a double nominee and the eventual winner for the best documentary at the 2023 AMVCAs, claiming the award for her documentary with her remarkable creation, Nigeria: The Debut. Her work reflects her passion as a true storyteller when it comes to capturing visuals. While she has created many remarkable projects, her work documenting pre-natal and post-partum depression in Nigerian women in her documentary, Baby Blues, is exceptional.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFgcvsCPi9g?si=suXa6nWpsLvtXgd1&w=560&h=315]
As a woman living in a conservative society like Nigeria, where sensitive conversations are often avoided, Nora Awolowo highlights the struggles of mothers who experienced these forms of depression through her camera lens. Her work in Baby Blues not only amplifies the power of storytelling but also platforms the voices of those who struggle with it, creating awareness as well as humanizing their pain.
Niyi Fagbemi
Niyi Fagbemi’s work has done a great deal to center Nigeria’s cultural landscape and rightly portray it as an array of the most beautiful experiences one can have. His work is so beautifully captured that it often elicits FOMO from those who aren’t captured, but also a profound sense of connection and resonance.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzL-gVU0iA0?si=5RRHZlP53CUIz9bv&start=2&w=560&h=315]
Recently, at the Ojude Oba festival, held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Niyi Fagbemi encapsulated the colourful heritage of the Ijebu people, the symphony of the peer group displayed, and the celebration of family genealogy, history, and culture on display at the festival. Alongside the alluring visuals, Fagbemi told a compelling personal story about his affiliation with the culture and his need to spotlight the rich Nigerian culture.
However, Niyi Fagbemi’s love transcends photos and videos. It’s an avenue to spotlight his storytelling as he weaves interesting personal stories and his experiences into them. His artistry fully engulfs a proud Nigerian’s journey to celebrate their country’s cultural splendor.
Tayo Aina
If you’re familiar with YouTube travel content, then you’ve probably heard about Tayo Aina Films. Famous for redefining how travel content is created in Nigeria and his impact on the Nigerian YouTube collective, Tayo Aina is a creative maestro.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxjKGR1TlFI?si=fYssw2t2P8LEqEmF&w=560&h=315]
He is the brain behind all of his videos’ conceptualization, directions, execution, and most importantly, their narrative. Now, on the global stage and telling stories about monuments and landscapes around the world, Tayo continues to maintain his originality and center the stories behind people and places, prioritizing storytelling at the core of his craft.
As these creatives continue to rise in their careers as cinematographers and videographers, they continue to utilize the power of imagery to weave narratives and stories. With every single video, they remind us that true storytelling is beyond just words and that nothing beats an insightful video.
