- What’s a Haiku?
A Haiku is a Japanese poetry form. Traditional Haikus have 17 syllables written in three lines, 2 syllable the first line, 7 the second line and 5 the third line. You can add a title, if you like.
- What’s the purpose of writing a Haiku?
These few words are meant to capture a moment and create an image or idea in the reader’s mind. Traditional haikus are about nature.
However, nowadays they can be about any topic.
It’s an ideal way to accompany a picture you’ve taken, to focus on an idea or guide the reader to a point the picture takes you.
- Why add a Haiku to a photograph?
Taking a photo is in itself a creative endeavor. The photographer aims to capture a moment, a place, or a feeling, which is perfect in itself, but if you stop and put a few rhythmic words to the moment you are opening up your own creativity, deepening your thoughts and consolidating the moment to share it with others.
- How to write a Haiku based on a photograph?
You can take four approaches, a literal, figurative, narrative or inspirational one.
In the first case, the Haiku can simply describe the scene, from your viewpoint. That will be unique, because each person will focus on different aspects of a scene.
Secondly, you can write about what the photograph makes you feel. This may have nothing to do with the image in the picture itself, but what the image make you think about and requires some introspection.
Thirdly your Haiku can tell a story.
Yes, it’s possible to tell a story in 17 syllables.
Fourthly, a Haiku can also motivate and inspire readers.
So, are you going to give it a go?
You’ll need a pen and paper, just jot down the words that come to mind, think about what your’e looking at and what you’re feeling. Then divide the words into three short sentences, pay attention to the syllables, look for synonyms if your words are too long. It isn’t as simple as it sounds, it can take you ten minutes or hours, sometimes I let it rest and go back the following day to finish.
Write a haiku with one of your favourite photos and share it in the comments below!