Duane Michal’s film, The Man Who Invented Himself, really brings out his photographic philosophy that comes to life and shows how he redefines the boundaries of photography. The film reveals that Michals is not just a photographer, but also a storyteller who uses his camera as a tool to capture introspection and self-expression, 

A central theme in the film is showing that Michal goes against traditional photography rules. He goes against the idea that photography is capturing reality in a single moment, and instead, he views it as a means to express deeper emotional and psychological narratives. This way of thinking is seen in the way that Michals often uses sequences of images, handwritten text, and unique compositions to create a story that extends beyond the visuals. 

For instance, one of his works, “Chance Meeting” is a sequence of images that shows two strangers that pass by. Rather than focusing on a single moment, Michals stretches the moment across several pictures, allowing the viewers to experience the subtle emotions between the strangers. The film explores how this technique shows Michals’ view that life is often full of missed opportunities, moments that we don’t often appreciate or even notice when they happen. 

The film also shows his other works like “Grandpa Goes to Heaven,” a sequence that Michals created after the death of his own grandfather. The film highlights how this series was Michal’s exploration of mortality and the spiritual journey behind death. This series shows how he uses photography as a way of confronting and expressing his feelings about death in a somewhat light-hearted way. 

Another one of his works, “The Human Condition” depicts a man in a subway station slowly transforming into a galaxy. This is one of his works that uses surrealism and symbolic imagery to ask what it means to be human. The film explains that Michals uses his portraits not 

to depict people in their physical form, but to explore deeper truths about identity, existence, and emotional struggle. 

This film highlights Michals’ role in transforming photography into a medium capable of telling complex stories that blur the lines between reality and imagination. His use of sequential imagery allows him to extend beyond just a moment in time to explore metaphorical themes and challenge conventional perceptions of photography.