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Define your style
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I think after a while shooting we find that we tend to adopt a certain style, whether that is reflected in our photography, composition or post processing. I have very few influences – in a way i am glad as i know that my shots stem from that corrupt mind of mine. :lol: I think though my fashion shots and ideas are verging towards a very dark moody and pretty much off the wall style.
Question for you all. How do you see your photography developing/evolving over the next year ?I dont have a set style either I try to keep images looking fresh to me and not get into the pattern of making images that look samey or ‘technically correct but boring’ all the time. I also have very few influences (more images than any photographer).
I have been at the digital game for just about a year now – and am ok with the progression so far – in the next year I’d say the plan is to learn more and more about light and lighting scenes would be the main thing. I think every single technical aspect I have lots of room for improvement in and over the course of the next year I can see a lot of things start to come together. Last of all building up a bag of tricks in photoshop too will help. Breaking out from a 20d to a 5d/1ds at some point will be good too.
Ali, I wish I could say but I dont think I have a style at all. Most of the time, and particularly at weddings of which my work is probably 60%, I think its a “fire fighting” exercise and you are working in a race against the clock. So, I believe my style
is not yet defined or perfected……it seems to change everyday. I don’t think I have any influences at all but I really admire anyone who can walk the street and grab “that” shot. Its an area I must admit I’m really weak on and would love to perfect. I think its one of the most rewarding areas of photography. I must say that Ciaran that posts here has a particularly good eye for that exceptional “candid street, spur of the moment, shot”……..you know the one where you say “what a great image ! just the perfect moment, but if I were there I’d never have noticed it as a worthwhile capture” or the image that grabs your attention because it is so simple and yet so effective.Ansel Adams once said that the well trained eye is the best piece of equipment you can own. I only wish mine was better
trained !Great replies all. It’s funny, i know i’ll look back on my work a year from now and probably say “What the hell was i thinking”.
I suppose thats the beauty of it. Another great thing is having the ability to revisit old shots and edit them as your photoshop skills
develop. I’ve no doubt my style will develop opposed to change. Watch this space! :) I can imagine how difficult it can be shooting a
wedding and as a result it can be hard to incorporate a style as such. I know i would struggle at the whole people management aspect. :)
Some people just take to a particular style of photography and i definitely agree Ciaran is a prime example, at this stage he has in particular
the ability to capture emotion down to a fine art. I suppose my aim like many is to be exceptional at one aspect of photography opposed
to being good at many.I’m not sure I have a “style” as such, or if I do.. how to define it. Since I started shooting back in April ’04 I have contacted numerous online photographers, some to just pass on my admiration of their work, but others to tap them for information and tips. More often than not these people have been very gracious in replying to my questions and helping me develop my photography skills. One photographer in particular, Si (allinthemind) has been a massive influence on my photography. Initially Si helped me enormously by answering copious amount of questions via email, but subsequent to that I’ve flown him to Ireland and flown myself to the UK for one to one tutorials and mentoring sessions. At the start, apart from the obvious technical/quality difference in our work, my photos strongly imitated Si’s style, but since then, I like to think I’ve evolved my own, what ever that is!
Nope aint got me no style.
B&W is my only defining trait I think.
And even tha tis broken with my landscapy stuff.I think after many years I developed some style in most type of photography.
But I am always trying something new.Like others, I’ll try anything. Used to be scared of shooting people but I’m getting over that. I’ll always love landscapes, but there’s no denying that portraits interest people more, specially if they have that “pro” touch, like good bokeh and lighting. I also like doing bug on flower macros and goats. I can’t see myself ever getting bound into any one genre, but I guess the art is to make any genre your own and recognisable. I’m no way near that stage yet.
Until recently, my personal preference was for people photography, especially “Arty” portraits. Street portraiture (if that’s a genre) and environmental portraits are still my favourite way to spend a Sunday (I think my wife misses me). I still love mono images with emotion and narrative and look for these sort of shots constantly. I find product photography and studio photography dull. I’ve been experimenting more with colour recently and intend to do more of that, also Ali is suggesting (read bullying) for me to do some more fashion stuff. I have no interest in landscapes or anything much without people in. Lifestyle stock, sports etc also hold no interest. So…. for the next year or so, I’ll be pushing the people bubble, also plan on shooting more film and fixing lenses from time to time. It’s easy to get lazy with a zoom lens. I used to urge my students to stick a 50mm lens on the front of their cameras, set it at F4 and leave it there for a month a great way to “Become one with your camera” and understand subject selection, composition, perspective and Dof.
Muse urges me to do more art-nude shoots, I’ll do more of these, but still find myself zooming for a good face shot :)
I want to do some shooting in the rain projects this autumn. :)
The annoying thing is I dropped my Mamiya on Friday and the lens is as stiff as a man that actually buys everything the spam filter protects me from. Eek. Have to see if ebay can help.
I was supposed to be shooting fashion with Debbie (6 feet tall and 35 inch inside leg) on Friday, I still think they look like environmental portraits!
Si
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