Style - do you have one, and if so, how do you know..?

[joxby]

A style is developed over a period of time.
Since we are constantly developing and trying to improve, changes occur all the time.
But some things eventually will stay the same in particular genres, its pretty much a sub-conscious thing when confidence transcends peers opinion, and that little thing you like about your own work is repeated regardless of what other people say.
I know lots of photographers with a style unique to themselves, whether I like that "thing" that makes it theirs is irrelivant.
Everyone eventually will develope their own style, could be a processing thing, an angle, a mood, whatever.
Often its too early in a shooters career to establish a style, since they are still deciding what they like.

 

[stevewestern]

Very quickly, before I go, just for Mike..

Bruja - I'll get back to you later...(but thanks !!)


Oh, no, not again - I can't get this uploading thing right - I'll do it again later..

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

I'm thinking..

You start to know you have a style when someone points it out to you... and when that happens, thank them, and then take no notice whatsoever... instead, carry on taking the photographs you love taking.

Grasshopper




Good thread Steve.

 

[mmcp42]

Very quickly, before I go, just for Mike..

Bruja - I'll get back to you later...(but thanks !!)


Oh, no, not again - I can't get this uploading thing right - I'll do it again later..

 

[moomike]

Nicely done mate

I definitely have my own style of image, I think the point that I realised it was when I put up one of the images I was working on & was thinking that it wouldn't go down too well but that I was going to carry on working in this way just for myself. Much as CJ says, your style will develop & grow when you stop trying to conform to what you think should be done with your images - my images for example can be very dark & dismal looking but as long as the mood is right then the image works (rules are there to be broken just don't tell anyone I told you that if you get into trouble )

 

[cjnicolai]

Bruja, I think you and I are saying many of the same things.

Mike, yes, I'm here to scare you. LOL.

- CJ

 

[mmcp42]

Bruja, I think you and I are saying many of the same things.

Mike, yes, I'm here to scare you. LOL.

- CJ

 

[Tsukiyomi]

I don't one dimensionally stick to one composition style but I prefer to photograph architecture.

 

[stevewestern]

As you say CJ, both you and Bruja seem to be saying much of the same, and I think I am starting to understand, though I am still not sure if I could recognise it (ie my 'style') in my pictures yet, and that may well take some time.However, I am starting to look, and maybe see more than I was..
I would also like to thank you both, plus everyone else who has contributed to this thread, which seems to be revolving around me. I am not so different to anyone here, and I hope no-one thinks I am trying to imply that I am special, but if photography is a personal expression, then learning about one's self is right up there with the other tools of the trade - it just so happens that for me, the technique side (whilst hard enough) is easier than the self-discovery process that I am struggling with.
I do need to be liked, but also want to take pictures that hit me, much like CJ's pictures hit me. In the days when I had youth, ambition, and excitement in me, I loved photography, and maybe was fairly good at it - I took some pictures I really like - but as opening myself to critisism was always harder than playing the fool, and being everyones pal was easier than standing alone in the crowd, I seem to have lost something - lets hope that for all our sakes, I can find it again (if only to stop these long postings by me..)
Bruja - Thanks for your words - looks like we'll have a bit to discuss next time we meet..!

 

[stevewestern]

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