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  1. #1
    Senior Member danic's Avatar
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    Question Defining your style

    I've been trying to figure out what my style of photography is. But I'm not sure on how I do define myself.

    I'm curious as to how others define themselves and others.

    Do you base it on what you shoot? How you shoot it? The type of equipment you shoot with?


    What is your style?

    Daniel
    danic



    George Zimbel: Digital diahhrea is a disease for which there is a simple cure. Take one frame of a scene. It is exquisite training for your eye and your brain. Try it for a month. Then try it for another month…then try it for another month…..


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  2. #2
    Senior Member AgingEyes's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Quote Originally Posted by danic
    I've been trying to figure out what my style of photography is. But I'm not sure on how I do define myself.
    Why do you want to limit yourself?

    "Using no way as way"; "having no limitation as limitation"...or whatever those Jeet Kune Do people said Bruce Lee said

  3. #3
    Moderator Didache's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    I think a person's style develops naturally as they gain in experience and find the types of photography that pleases them. Hence, some people will produce gritty urban shots in mono, someone else will produce soft and well saturated landscapes, and someone else will produce very carefully composed natural history shots. I don't think you can do it consciously (as in: from now on I am a gritty photographer of urban deprivation!) but is something that evolves to express your personality and view of the world.

    Not only that, but I am not sure it is up to the photographer him/herself to define the style - it's more a case of what others perceive in your work.

    Cheers
    Mike
    Mike Dales ARPS
    My website: www.mikedalesphotography.co.uk

  4. #4
    Senior Member danic's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    AE - I'm not looking to limit myself at all, but I do know some photographers will try and branch out into B&W or something from which they are very comfortable with, find they have difficulty with it and go back to shooting what they are comfy with.

    Mike - I was thinking about this, but if someone was to ask me what style of photography is or how I define myself, I'd be stuck. I'd probably go for something along the lines of "Urban".

    I was curious to see what other's thoughts are.

    Cheers,
    Daniel
    danic



    George Zimbel: Digital diahhrea is a disease for which there is a simple cure. Take one frame of a scene. It is exquisite training for your eye and your brain. Try it for a month. Then try it for another month…then try it for another month…..


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  5. #5
    Liz
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    Moderator Emeritus Liz's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Quote Originally Posted by danic
    I've been trying to figure out what my style of photography is. But I'm not sure on how I do define myself.

    I'm curious as to how others define themselves and others.

    Do you base it on what you shoot? How you shoot it? The type of equipment you shoot with?


    What is your style?

    Daniel
    This is a good question - and a great idea for an interesting thread. Thanks.

    I've been a serious amateur photographer for about 10 years now. In the beginning I was all over the place shooting whatever I could find. Because I love NYC (I live in NJ - 30 minutes away by bus), I enjoyed taking my camera doing a bit of street photography just for entertainment. Although I still enjoy shooting "whatever" street photography has become my "style" so to speak. I love people - I love NY - the two just fit together for me. I find all kinds of interesting people and things to shoot in NYC.

    Liz

    A few favorites - most of these have been around here before.








  6. #6
    Senior Member AgingEyes's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    I'd say style is about the approach and presentation of the subject matter. For example, there are many landscape photographers out there. Is landscape photography their style, or the way they approach and present the landscape that show their style, if there's any? I tend to think it's the later.

  7. #7
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    Re: Defining your style

    Photography has had very interesting descriptions that have defined our Art, Schools and Periods.

    The self explanatory styles and schools of Photography that can't be missinterpereted are the f/64 School, Tonalism, Minimalism, Transgressive Art (I feel like that School influences me every day) and my favourite title of all time Stuckism ... and one of the current leading Art styles Neurotic Art. Heaven forbid should a currator or a historian considered me to be a Master of Neurotic Photography.

    I know what my style is, you can see it in my Forum Album. The National Gallery of Australia views me as a 'Photographer turned Painter'. That in itself is a School of Art.

    I know every Australian Photographer turned Painter collected by our Nation's Gallery. Their histories, their Art, who they have influenced and I have been influenced by each of them. I wouldn't know where I fit in the group if I didn't know about them. Having studied the history of Art ... send me $10 and I'll tell you what holes on the jig-saw of World Art still need filling (:aureola. $10 isn't much for an Artist's immortality?

    As a photographer, I'm a Colourist, a Minimalist, a Regional Pictorialist (well who isn't? of those who have tried everything) ... but hopefully not a Neurotic. (I would certainly avoid counselling if I was to enhance that latent potential).

    If you read Modern Painters magazine from the UK, it covers more than just painting, it is about Art ... 'the Neurotics' are running the Art World riot, and have whipped up the art dealers into a frenzie at the moment. All street photographers need that Neurotic element to make their Art special. So I stay well clear of doing street photography and certainly away from street photographers.

    It is hard to feel you have a style? You have your favourite themes? ... others define your style for you. That is what it is about.

    If you read the histories of Art and Photography ... you will know where you will fit in. I view it as fitting in because it is the influence of others that we refine in our work, that makes us who we are. That is what Art Historians can relate to. If you want to be famous make sure you influence others. Art Historians love that sort of thing happening. It gives them something to write about. I'm still to read an Art Historian's work who actually understands Art, apart from Beaumont Newhall, Arthur Goldsmith and Eric De Mare' ... and as for understanding Artists, I cut them heaps of slack because who does understand Artists?

    If you drink and paint, then you are an 'Abstract Expressionist' ... but if you drink and photograph ... make sure you use a very sturdy tripod.

    Warren.
    Last edited by Wild Wassa; 07-02-2008 at 07:32 PM.

  8. #8
    Senior Member danic's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Quote Originally Posted by AgingEyes
    I'd say style is about the approach and presentation of the subject matter. For example, there are many landscape photographers out there. Is landscape photography their style, or the way they approach and present the landscape that show their style, if there's any? I tend to think it's the later.

    Good point
    danic



    George Zimbel: Digital diahhrea is a disease for which there is a simple cure. Take one frame of a scene. It is exquisite training for your eye and your brain. Try it for a month. Then try it for another month…then try it for another month…..


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  9. #9
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Here at Photography Review I read the word Americana to describe my work. A couple of my pictures at others sites has been compared to Nighthawks by Edward Hooper, just not quite as good. But what I like is Urban Decay. Scenes the invoke loneliness, isolation, abandonment ect. Sometimes I wonder why? I take pictures of what I like and try not to please anyone but me but then hope others like it. I know what I want it is just a matter of finding the scene and timing it right.
    The town I live in Rome has been coverd up one side and down the other by some pretty good photogs, I want to take pictures of the subjects that are simply over looked. The other side of the tracks so to speak.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  10. #10
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    I think Mike summed it up well. You have alot of good answers and discussion from other members here and I think basically what you shoot is not going to define your style, but rather how you approach it.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  11. #11
    Drive by shooter susaan's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Warren,love how you write...and your photos are really inspiring to me.
    Think we should petition Rufus to come over to our side of the world...?

    Defining my style...well,maybe too soon,but will try-but its basically a split personality,
    3 ways, between -

    1 -My job,which I created,as no-one was recording for posterity,
    (or the grandchildren),the early days,shooting my friends and family-,live music performers,-all lights,action,whistles and bells,smoke n bubbles...at home and abroad.

    Style-make them look like the stars they are-capture the sheer joy,onstage,and quiet portraits on the road,sweet moments with the children,ecstatic audience shots.

    N.B. We tour Iran,this month,advice,anyone...?
    -.-If you never hear from me again,its "cos I pointed my lens in the wrong direction....lol
    (Actually,We have an Arab TV station escorting us, all the needed permits,and I'm seriously reading up the history,dos and don't's,etc,getting to grips with the issues)

    2-Indonesia-photographer's paradise !
    -love to be in the rice fields for a coupla hours-(fast vanishing around my area,as Jakarta sprawls out into the "burbs)
    -traditional weddings with brides dressed and made up like exquisite dolls,(who greet me in the mall,the next week,wearing jeans and batik blouses)
    ..a land of great resources,many contradictions and problems,but a people with hearts as big as the huge islands.

    Style-Many shots zoomed from afar ,before I'm noticed,candids,strangers, who often become playmates in the game of photography.
    -still trying to find the perfect way to capture the intense colors of the earth/flowers/fields.

    3-Beasties of all species,many rescued from unfortunate places,become pets,at least 'till they can make it on their own.

    Style-as close as I can get..many end up on the camera itself...
    -cats,frogs,,weird leaf hoppers who invade my bathroom,etc,..aim to capture an expression of who they are.

    " Got Soul, but I'm Not a Soldier "
    The Killers

    “ Make no judgments where you have no compassion ”
    Anne McCaffrey

    " If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority.'
    Yugoslav Proverb

  12. #12
    Seasoned Amateur WesternGuy's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Daniel, you have raised a very interesting question and topic, as witnessed by the depth and number of replies. I have never though about having a style, but if I had to, I would probably say Nature. Most of what I shoot is outdoor stuff, wildlife, birds, etc. and natural landscapes. I don't do people and I do not do a lot of urban work, unless I see a building that really interests me. In my natural landscapes, I often look for old buildings to put in a part of the image - old barns, granaries, cabins, etc. Hope this helps.

    Cheers,

    WesternGuy

  13. #13
    Senior Member mn shutterbug's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    WesternGuy, I love your style.
    Mike
    www.specialtyphotoandprinting.com
    Canon 30D X 2, Canon 100-400L, Thrift Fifty, Canon 18-55 IS 3rd generation lens plus 430 EX II flash and Better Beamer. :thumbsup:

  14. #14
    Senior Member danic's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Cheers Guys and Girls :-)

    There is a photography forum on my work email and sometimes I post up my photo's there, asking for feedback. The main comments I receive revolve around things such as white balance, focus and so forth. Thats all well and dandy, but I'm finding myself wanting more from them. I want them to say more, tell me more about my photo's, something relevant to my style.

    I notice that people on this forum will recognise a particular "feature" about someone's photography, and pass comment on the photo, bearing in mind the "feature" of the photographer.

    Does this make sense? Am I asking too much?

    I guess this is why I raised this thread, defining your style.
    danic



    George Zimbel: Digital diahhrea is a disease for which there is a simple cure. Take one frame of a scene. It is exquisite training for your eye and your brain. Try it for a month. Then try it for another month…then try it for another month…..


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  15. #15
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    Re: Defining your style

    Danic, do you know of the photographer Bill Owens?

    He had an eye opening exhibition back in the 1970s called "Suburbia." That exhibition changed the way that we look at uncomplicated photographs. He turned the simple snapshot into a valued artifact.

    When I looked at your images in your album the first thing that came to mind was Bill Owens' photography of structures, then I had an immediate flashback to the early works of Ralph Gibson when I thought about your portrait, a profile and tightly cropped, on the 'B/W Photography' thread.

    Owens and Gibson will be easy to find on the web as they are both contemporary masters of Photography. They have definite styles a bit like your own ... but just a bit.

    Warren.
    Last edited by Wild Wassa; 07-07-2008 at 02:51 AM.

  16. #16
    Senior Member danic's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Cheers Warren,

    I'll have a google of Bil Owens and see what I come up with.
    danic



    George Zimbel: Digital diahhrea is a disease for which there is a simple cure. Take one frame of a scene. It is exquisite training for your eye and your brain. Try it for a month. Then try it for another month…then try it for another month…..


    RedBubble

  17. #17
    has-been... another view's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Quote Originally Posted by Wild Wassa
    Danic, do you know of the photographer Bill Owens?
    I don't but will google him. Thanks!

    As far as style goes, my vote is for "don't worry about it". I think it's one of those things that just comes in time. It doesn't matter the specific subject matter that someone usually shoots; their style will come across in whatever they do. But don't try to force it or give it much thought. Let it just happen. I think in the about 10 years that I've been serious about it, that I can start to see a little bit of that in my own shots (and therefore "style" doesn't necessarily mean "good". ). One day you'll just notice something in your own work.

  18. #18
    Moderator Didache's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    danic .. I know exactly what you are asking. Some of the posts in this thread seem to be conflating the "style" with the "substance". For instance, I don't think "nature" is a style, but is simply a genre which people might be interested in. The "style" would be HOW the nature was photographed and what distinctive vision the photographer brings to it. Hence, some photographers have a syle such that people will say "You can always tell one of your images".

    Mike
    Mike Dales ARPS
    My website: www.mikedalesphotography.co.uk

  19. #19
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    Quote Originally Posted by Didache
    danic .. I know exactly what you are asking. Some of the posts in this thread seem to be conflating the "style" with the "substance". For instance, I don't think "nature" is a style, but is simply a genre which people might be interested in. The "style" would be HOW the nature was photographed and what distinctive vision the photographer brings to it. Hence, some photographers have a syle such that people will say "You can always tell one of your images".

    Mike
    Exactly, how one goes about shooting is what defines the style over time, not so much as what they shoot. Nature, Landscapes, Urban/street. . .those are genres and many photogs are doing those, but the way you go about composing and even post processing your images is what will define your style to others over time.

    I too notice that in other forums there is so much concentration on merely the technicals alone and no value seemingly given to the approach and substance of a shot.
    Keep shooting what you like, the way you like and process them to your liking and eventually your style will be evident to others in your works.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  20. #20
    light wait photophorous's Avatar
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    Re: Defining your style

    I agree that style and subject matter preferences are not the same thing and I don't think people should expect you to be able to define your style. I have no idea what my style is. I don't know if I even have a style, but I don't worry about it. I just continue to look for new ways to shoot the subjects that interest me with the equipment I prefer. If someone were to ask me what my style is, I'd tell them to check out my flickr page and decide for themselves.

    Paul

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