What is it?

Tableau photography is a style of photography that involves carefully staged scenes that resemble a theatrical tableau, painting, or cinematic still. The term “tableau” refers to the creation of highly composed and deliberate photographic narratives.

Key Characteristics of Tableau Photography:

Narrative Focus: Tableau photographs often tell a story or suggest a larger narrative, leaving room for the viewer’s interpretation. A good example of this is some of Cindy Sherman’s work that I have already looked at. These are commonly studied and popular as each person that sees it, views it in a different light and from different perspectives

This picture is a good example of the use of narrative focus as you do not know what this hand is aiming to achieve but you can annotate it and compare with someone else and the annotations might be completely opposite.

For example I would talk about how this seems to be a child’s hand and how they value their marbles as they are portrayed in colour whilst the rest of the picture is in black and white. Furthermore this could also portray a sense of what this child finds fun as the colour could represent what brings the child joy. You could also go on to talk about the hard concrete floor that could be that of a car park or a neglected street. Then this brings in a factor of juxtaposition as a child is seen to be something to nurture and to take time and care over and in contrast a cold old floor.

This is just an example and shows how you can keep building on annotations and why this is a good type of photography.

Staged Composition:

Staged Composition refers to the layout of the entire shot; staging is the arrangement of objects and characters within the frame. Good composition and staging are key ingredients in any compelling professional image. The scenes are purposely arranged, with careful attention to lighting, props, costumes, and setting. They often mimic theatrical or cinematic techniques.

Painterly Aesthetic:

Many tableau photographers are inspired by the composition and lighting of classical paintings, creating works that resemble fine art.

The painterly aesthetic in photography is all about creating images that feel more like paintings than typical photographs. It focuses on mood, texture, and emotion rather than sharp details or realism. Photographers who go for this style often use soft lighting, blurred edges, and rich tones to give their work a dreamy, artistic feel. Sometimes, it’s about mimicking the look of old paintings, like those from the Impressionist or Romantic periods, with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere. It’s a way to turn photography into something more expressive and timeless, where the image feels carefully crafted, like a piece of art.

Symbolism:

Symbolism in tableau photography helps tell a deeper story through objects, colours, and body language. An apple might suggest temptation, a mirror could hint at self-reflection, and a clock can represent time slipping away. Colours set the mood for example: red for passion or danger, blue for sadness or calm, and black for mystery. Even the way people pose matters; looking away might suggest secrecy, while standing tall can show confidence. All these details work together to create images that make you think and feel something beyond what’s just in the frame.

A good example this picture taken by Cindy Sherman as the audience can look at it and pick out the finer detail

Jeff Wall

Jeff Wall is a Canadian photographer known for creating large, carefully staged images that feel like scenes from a movie or a painting. His photos might look like real moments, but they’re actually planned down to the smallest detail, sometimes taking months to complete. He often uses symbolism to suggest deeper meanings, drawing inspiration from art, literature, and everyday life.

One of his most famous photos,  A Sudden Gust Of Wind  (1993), shows four people outside as papers fly through the air, caught in an invisible gust. It’s inspired by a Japanese woodblock print by Hokusai, and the flying papers can symbolize lost ideas, sudden change, or the chaos of life. The whole scene looks natural but was actually pieced together from multiple shots to get the perfect effect.

Wall plays with the idea of reality and fiction. His 1978 photo Mimic looks like a documentary-style street shot but was staged to highlight racial tension.

In Insomnia (1994), a man sprawled on a kitchen floor creates an eerie, unsettling scene that could suggest exhaustion, mental struggle, or something more mysterious.

What makes Wall’s work so powerful is how it pulls you in. At first glance, his images seem like everyday moments, but the more you look, the more details emerge, making you question what’s really happening beneath the surface.