When discussing photography styles, the discussion will center around the unique aspects of each photographer that are apparent in their works.?
Why unique? Because each photographs of each photographer is different. Whether it be from the angle the photograph is taken, how they direct their subjects, the lighting techniques they incorporate, or the post processing techniques they use. Each has their own signature of style. Take Dave Hill’s photographs, for example. When someone thinks of the work of Dave Hill, high quality HDR and perfect lighting comes to mind. Or Lucy Martin, an Oxfordshire photographer who is synonymous with her unique Roundography. There is also the Asian photographer by the name of Natsumi Hayasi who is very much consistent in applying levitation in her photography. They are the photographers that swam out of the mainstream and created a style of their own. And even though there are those that attempt to imitate their works of art, they’re still the best.
Personal style of photography comes out naturally, and will reflect the personality and taste of the photography. It’ll be something unique and personal. When in bloom, the style of a photographer will make them pop amongst the tens, thousands, even millions of other photographers that are too dead set to follow a certain main stream trend. That’s where one of the keys to success in photography lies; when a unique style of a photographer is well perceived by the masses, popularity and profit naturally rolls in.
Finding or establishing our personal style of photography shouldn’t be something of a burden or something to be forced upon. There’s always that learning phase where we mimic those we admire and respect. Once you plow though that phase and never grow weary of the craft, your instincts will tell you what’s “you.”?
Over time, geared with high dedication and practice, always being open minded and keeping an “out of the box” frame of mind, you’ll gradually discover and continue to shape your own personal style.
A senior photographer once said “photography is general, but style is personal.” One out-of-focus photos is a mistake, ten out-of-focus photos are an experiment, one hundred out-of-focus photos are a style.
