Why Panoramic Film Photography Excels at Storytelling
Most people shoot panoramas for the view, to capture a landscape, show the scale. It has a wow factor. But that’s only scratching the surface.
Panoramic film isn’t just about width. It’s a visual language, built for storytelling. For tension, quiet, space to breathe. A frame where each space can be utilised for the narrative.
That’s why cameras like the Hasselblad XPan and Fuji TX-1 have built a cult following. They let you do something rare: shoot with the grammar of cinema, in a single still.
This post breaks down how to use that frame in the best possible way. To make photos that don’t just look good, but feel like they’re part of something larger. A narrative that brings the world of a cinematographer and director closer together.
Because with the right approach, a single panoramic image can hold a whole story.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 35mm film on the Hasselblad Xpan 45mm lens
Cinematic Panoramas: The Narrative Power of Wide Format Film
The frame mimics the cinematic frame. 65:24 is very similar to the frame used in for example the hateful eight. This movie uses the Ultra Panavision 70 and has a ratio of 2.76:1, whilst the XPan and (Fujifilm TX-1) has a ratio of 2.71:1.When used by the right photographer, it lends itself perfectly to layering, potentially creating a highly immersive experience when viewed large. The movies that use the Panavision are very rare, but when used they are often very well known. Meaning the ratio has the potential of being used for unique stills that have storytelling at its core.
In all photography, especially portraiture, you are not merely taking photos; you are also directing. This means your role might be closer to that of a cinematographer than you expect, while also embodying the director's vision. If combined well, you can easily create convey the meaning. Which I have done in the Italy series for example.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 35mm film on the Hasselblad Xpan 45mm lens
Building Narrative with Close, Mid, and Wide Shots
Effective storytelling requires certain elements to be established or purposefully left out of frame. When combining different shots to convey a meaning, the viewer can fully immerse themselves in the story you aim to tell. It requires a certain amount of understanding photographic framing. Very similarly, yet with subtle differences, in movies, the sequence of shots is intentionally crafted to build a narrative with depth. The following three tips of shots are often combined:
The Power of the Close Up
Often used to reveal intricate details about the narrative's subject. This can be used to show emotions, that the subject is feeling. Reveal details that add to the narrative or show character. Often used to isolate things from the rest of the frame.
Context with the Mid Shot
The medium shots can be used to reveal the subject in context. This can be used in combination with other personas in which the relationships between the different personas might be revealed more. Medium shots are often framed from the waist up, making them excellent for revealing both intimacy and environment, where human interaction, emotional nuances, and gestures can be the main focus.
Scale and Immersion with the Wide Shot
In the wide shot in cinematography often shows the entire subject in frame (head to toe), often with a lot of background. The subject can also be very tiny to give a better sense of the context. For the viewer it creates a sense scale, isolation and freedom. This is often referred to as the establishing shot.
When these three different types are combined they lend themselves perfectly for telling a full narrative. Sometimes, two of these can be combined into one frame. Giving more depth to a single frame.
Understanding Photographic Framing: Guiding Composition with Mood
When creating a narrative series of photographs, a clear understanding of your narrative is paramount. Storytelling begins with intention. The story might stem from the person you are trying to photograph or from the mood that you are aiming for. Before diving into a photoshoot, try to have a clear narrative. Writing or establishing a narrative before a shoot is like with a mood board, it will guide you during the shoot. The narrative allows you to communicate with your model, guiding expressions that will help convey the story you aim to tell. A photoshoot can be difficult enough, given its many moving parts. Therefore establishing such things beforehand will definitely help you with making the right decisions in the moment.
Setting the Mood: Examples
Using light and shadow (melancholy, mystery)
Color tones (warm for nostalgia, cool for detachment)
Negative space (loneliness, peace)
Subject placement (control vs vulnerability)
My Panoramic Film Photography Journeys
There are a few stories I have told with the Hasselblad XPan and Fujifilm TX-1. Every time I learn something new and continue to refine my approach, as mastering both the frame and the narrative remains a challenge. I am particularly fond of creating mini series, combining wide, mid, and close up shots. One of my first mini series was created in the Philippines.
I had planned a photography trip with a friend of mine. We wanted to explore the mountains of Norway and create some amazing photos. I already knew then that I was more intrigued by people than by landscapes. The landscapes are beautiful and unique, but without a human element, the images would not intrigue me long term. I wanted to highlight how my friend creates photos and what it takes to capture them. We conquered the cold and hiked for days to find the photos that we would be proud of. Sometimes bringing us to very surreal landscapes. I believe this was one of my first successful stories, because the vastness, cold, and adventure were captured so well on film. All were captured with the 45mm lens.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 35mm film on the Hasselblad Xpan 45mm lens
Panoramic Photography for Telling Stories Without Words
Panoramic film photography is not just about wide frames, it is about depth, intention and the quiet art of observation. The 65:24 format invites you to think like a director and shoot like a cinematographer, building stories through close-ups, medium shots and wide compositions that guide the viewer with purpose. Beyond technique, what stays with us is not the precision of a frame but the feeling it holds. Analogue photography reminds us that storytelling is timeless — that a single image can echo memory, emotion or place in a way words often cannot. So the next time you shoot, think less about getting the perfect shot and more about what you want someone to remember when they look at it.
