Interesting timing on the Steichen suggestion, just before I opened this video I got confirmation that "The Family of Man" has shipped. My first influence would have to be my father... Have you covered Arnold Newman?
I know some photographers but I don't think they influenced me really in my style. I LOVE Tim Walk's work so so much I recognize it right away ; but my work is very simple : contrasts of colors. I would say Cindy Sherman
Generally, now days most would say I am probably most influenced by Karsh but in reality I would say I am influenced by a multitude of different photographers and film maker, with me going in different directions dependant on my mood and the kind of image want to create
I would say other photographs from various photographers have influenced some ideas, even some not "famous", and no particular one. I don't try to copy photos. I do like Ansel Adams, but not sure I could describe a "style", other than black and white, which is all he had. :-)
This is the only UA-cam channel that I get excited about when a new one is released. I like your honesty, how you don’t talk about gear and mostly you introduce “master” photographers that I haven’t heard about before and also new photographers. Your channel has increased my photographic creativity, which makes me happy, so sir, I thank you!
I think my "style" is trying to produce photographs that please and excite ME. If I accomplish that I'm happy. Of course, I hope other people in my audience will like it, too, but if they don't it doesn't matter as much because it pleased and excited me and I'm happy. I recently entered two photographs in a juried show that had 81 entries. One of my photographs earned 3rd place and one of them was awarded Best of Show. I really liked both of them, but the one that earned 3rd place was my favorite. When I first saw the RAW image on my computer my heart skipped a beat. By the time I finished processing for the final print my heart was singing. I was feeling a sense of excitement and at the same time a feeling of well being and contentment that I can't explain. I couldn't wait to show it off. I knew that not everyone would like it, but I liked it and it was a winner with me. Now, I can''t wait until the gallery finishes the exhibition so I can bring it home and hang it on my wall. The one that won Best of Show? I like it, too, and just about everyone who has seen it likes it and exclaims about it, but it doesn't give ME the same sense of affirmation that the 3rd place winner does. I hope it sells at the gallery.
As a trained video-editor I like how you illustrate the point in your editing: you're not afraid of using jump cuts. It's the sort of thing that well meaning advisers will discourage you from using. Bu why not. It's just the easiest, straightforward way to do it. As for the question of photographers: Carl de Keyzer and Harry Gruyaert.
Many years ago I studied to be a florist. After I’ve finished our given missions, it could be to do Ikebana style, a funeral bouquet or whatever, we always could see who had made a certain arrangement! We had the same flowers to choose from and the given assignment but our own style would still show. Style was in our hands, our thoughts and actions. It showed naturally. I find it much harder to to find that with photography, I don’t know why, but I think it has to do with me listening to much to “what others will say” and taking photos as they are supposed to look like (right aperture, “style”; gear etc).For me your videos have made a huge difference in my way of thinking! Can’t thank you enough! 🙏💐
Another wonderful and insightful video. I'm so thankful for your vlogs. When I started Photography last year (age 42) every vlog was gear reviews, what's in my bag etc, but no one focused on the soul of the art. You sir really do exactly what is needed to help those develop from an artistic perspective and not one of technology. Thank you and keep up the great work.
I’ll never forget the day I knew I had a “style” I had a photo in a gallery with many other photographers. My friend ran up to mine never seeing it before saying “I knew this was yours” when she read my name. I asked her how. She said I reminds me of your poetry.
@@chrisloomis1489 cool! I shoot mostly Fuji cameras last couple years. Doing travel and street mostly. Also like to shoot black and white with old film cameras.
@@davidmayden4942 I'mj using old film cameras, too. I have film in three different cameras of various ages. I'm taking the same photo with each camera to see which image I like the best. It's taking a while!
I agree with this message. Style evolves organically; you shouldn't force it. I recently reviewed my last year's photos and realized that I'm increasingly drawn to minimalist and intimate compositions in landscape, and inclusion of negative space when I shoot wildlife. My videos are also beginning to evolve a certain look, as I've tried different setups and just gotten more comfortable speaking to a camera. It also means noticing what lenses and focal lengths I tend to gravitate to, and what processing methods I've adopted. Few of these changes were consciously aiming at a style, but I can tell what is working best for me at the moment.
Great vid as always. Style is an evolution. If said style remains static then the photographer is not learning, ergo evolving. I totally get what you said about listening to others. I downed my camera for over ten years because of such noise. Now shooting again, I have found my voice, and largely ignore commentary. Maybe if I were a commercial photographer, I would listen to advice more, but for me photography is a journey I enjoy as a solitary traveller. It's the world through my eyes, and my images reflect this.
hahah🤣 the intro, so funny I think style is something that you develop over time and without realizing it, it also changes in the same way as we also change without realizing it.
I’m actually caught up in this idea as of late. I’m still an amateur but I feel like great photographers found their style early on. It sort of defines them as an artist. Then again it’s all about perspective 🤷🏾♂️.
This is very interesting, as nearly everyone says to have a good portfolio you have to have a style. I have no idea what style I have personally, and just take images of what grabs my attention at that time. Maybe in time my style will eventually come through.
here's what happened to me.. in the effort to put together a (blurb) book of the stuff I had been shooting the last 3 or 4 years..I had to necessarily go back and go thru all my images.... and after a bit it hit me right between the eyes as to what my 'style' was. I was like: OHHHH I get it.. I mean I had all that time been photographing in and around that style - but it took just stopping and looking to 'see' it
Few weeks or months ago I've complained that audio quality is not very good - I had difficulty to understand you correctly. I don't know what have you changed (or not changed at all ;) ) but 2022 series audio is much better now. Thank you!
Photographic Style: that point in a professional photographer's career where their work product attains professional recognition and paid success, and from which point they then continue to do the same thing regularly if not exclusively, to maintain recognition and paid success.
I think social media or really Instagram in general has made us "think" we need to have a set style so our feeds have a consistent look. Photographers today are more concerned about how their photographs look to the masses than how they look to themselves than ever before. I know this because I struggle with the same thing, the Instagram disease. I started to photograph things that are liked than things I enjoy myself, I started to become someone else. Now that I stepped away from majority for social media, I need to learn to rewire my brain and look to myself to create photos that are meaningful to me and not the masses. Thank you Alex, I needed to hear this.
I have discarded over 40,000 photo's not because I was looking for my style but I was searching for quality of the photograpgh. That comes with knowledge of the limitations of the camera and the effects of light on the camera and subject. Contrast is the key.,that deliniation of light will give you a great photo no mater the subject is. I have done macro, landscape, street, and people. My favorite subject is flowers and I have some amazine photo's of them. So much so that I have started to grow my own.
I think this is your best video/message yet. I have watched all of your videos and purchased your course and I am very grateful to you. My style is within me and it has nothing to do with what I photograph. It isn’t how I photograph. My style is the reaction and feeling I want to bring from the photograph.
I only happened to find your channel a few days ago, but the amount of impact you've already had on my perspective as a photographer has been so helpful. After all the effects of covid and lockdowns, I've slowly become detached and even afraid to pick up my own camera for myself, so use to making images for other people that I neglected my own personal work. You've given my photography a new lease and courage to pick it up again and for that I am eternally grateful! Please continue to do your great work in inspiring the photography community!
Wow! This reminded me of when I first started photography with a 1.3 MP camera, and how I loved taking pictures of what I liked. But along the way in an effort to improve myself, I got caught up in the technical aspects of what makes a good picture and slowly lost interest. Now it finally clicked that what made the pictures good was my personality. Excited at all the ideas that are popping in my head. Thanks!
Thank you for your fantastic and thought provoking videos. Thanks for educating us that being a photographer is not about what camera we have but how we see the world.
Picasso: "Style is often something which locks the painter into the same vision, the same technique, the same formula during years and years, sometimes during one's whole lifetime. The different styles I have been using in my art must not be seen as an evolution, or as steps towards an unknown ideal of painting. Everything I have ever made was made for the present and with the hope that it would always remain in the present."
This video really resonated with me. Thanks Alex. I started thinking about "style" a while ago after having my work showcased in several exhibitions and photo festivals. The term in use in the photo community at the time was "unique visual language" which confused me a lot, because it implied that style is about looks and I instinctively knew that style is about somenthing more personal and deeper. I also felt that visual language should change according to the specific project or genre I was working on. So I decided on a different approach. I asked myself what is a good image for me? What was my photography all about? After endless tries at this (and believe me I chewed this the way a dog chews an old shoe) I arrived at an answer that seems to suit me for now. I felt that my photography is about passion and I set for myself 3 criteria for a process that will hopefully yield a good image at the end. 1. Am I in love with the image at the moment of photographing it? 2. At the culling stage do I still feel that the image has the potential to recreate the way I felt when I took it? 3. After post processing do I still feel that not only I love it (which is really good enough) but that it can convey the way I felt to an audience? This process has me listening to my inner self and maybe that's where style comes from. That is not to say that I shun outside inspiration (photography, literature, cinema, plastic art) but that outside inspiration is a kind of reference or assisting tool to my personal creative process. So I really don't know what my style is, but this is a sort of compass currently guiding my steps on my photographic journey. I wanted to share this with you guys, to contribute to the discussion. Please tell me what you think.
Yay pep talks. Yep, getting a critique from a pro who tells me what they want to see in a photo or set of photos (it has happened a couple of times) is a bummer but it also helps me define and understand where I am going, what I am sharing. It also helps to have some really good photographer friends who I can talk to and listen to their own struggles and successes (their success fuel my love of photography) and who will share their insights about my work. And am very glad you pointed out that -a style can evolve -a style is sometimes shaped by the subject matter For some photographers who do only one type of photography, landscape, for example, then a consistent style makes sense. But I love photographing all kinds of subjects, so I have various styles, which can flourish and/or morph over time and place and subject. So, thank you. Great, as always.
Does it make sense to speak about style rather than "the way you treat a theme or a story"? This is to me the most important. The style serves the theme, the story, the purpose and make it coherent. Style would impose to always do the same, same colors, same framing, which at the end would makes us prisoner of it. We can have multiple styles, abandon one for another based on feeling, mental disposition, mood of the day. Being in one style drives to boring images, when over used. Limited to a strong story telling or short theme, makes you more creative as supporting the narrative.
Alister Benn of Expressive Photography asked this question in an email he sent out today, "Who am I trying to please with my photographs?" I think the answer dovetails nicely with this video. I think one's style is a way of saying 'this is interesting to me' and 'this is how I want to express it'. When I do both, then my style shows. As for a major influence on my photography, I would say my parents who were amatuer photographers who were interested in photographing family and travel. The influence they had was to photograph what I was interested in. So I never really struggled with trying to please others. But oddly neither actually influenced me technically.
First of all: Thank you so much for your great channel. You're speaking to my heart right now. I'm currently studying photography and I kind of lost myself. A short time ago I discovered your channel by accident and I can really only say that you are an extremely big enrichment for me right now. Thank you again!
i personally struggle with repetition i guess. often i get bored easily. so i always feel the urge to have to do something new (which could be good because of improvement) but then i somehow have the fear that exactly this "i-don't-wanna-do-this-again-attitude" makes me miss something or get unsatisfied just because i didn't want to take the photo.
I've been thinking so much lately about what is missing in my photography. Your video just gave me the talk I was needing, thank you so much for it and keep doing these amazing videos, I am a huge fan.
I wish I knew how to, on purpose, express myself with my photos. I never have anything I want to communicate with my photos. I just shoot and edit in a way that I like, and that is about it. The viewers can if course get meaning out of my photos, but that is all on them.
I've always liked the comments about liking someone's style. I always want to ask them to describe the "style" in words. I certainly would have trouble doing that, unless, maybe, it is very off the wall.
Great perspective and excellent timing, I was just speaking to someone about this very subject. While it is good to look at other photographers work I sometimes find myself trying to compare my work with others instaed of just photographing. Thanks for the "Pep Talk"!
Truly important words. Thank you for your work. For support and guidance, for being that friendly mentor that understands and motivates and you know that he has been there so he speaks the truth.
Great video. As it happens, I only realized over the past six months what my style is, and it happened in just the way you described. I wish I had seen this beforehand! It would have saved me a bit of worrying about it :)
I've embraced the Bruce Lee philosophy and adopted "The style of no style". ;-7 But honestly that label "Boring" has been applied (by other people) to my writing, my photography and my self so often I just don't bother 90% of the time.
I think style means complacency, that someone have found something you have mastered and are no longer adventurous in your seek for knowledge and skill.
Freeman Patterson EFIAP F.P.S.S.A, probably influenced me the most. In my many decades as an enthusiast photographer, the things that I remember and value the most were the two titles of his books, "The Joy of Photography" and "The Art of Seeing". As far as personal style of photography, I think many photographers are looking for creativity and originality within their comfort zones instead. Also, one can say it is similar to positioning in marketing.
Styles are kind of a certain pattern your brain is already drawn to. You just need to work alot, like you can't tell what a picture is by looking at just a few pieces of puzzle. For photography, if you shoot alot, style will emerge. Definitely. Just shoot what you enjoy, what you feel like you it. That's the way for me.
So... once again you've made me think. After some hours of pondering this video I've come to the following conclusion: Style is not a reflection of what you see but how you percieve what you see. The camera and all of the "rules", tools and techniques of photography are simply the vocabulary tools at your disposal for translating that perception into a physical medium. The better your understanding of that vocabulary the more eloquently you can speak.
A style will no doubt come out in your photos - they are expressions of you and how you see the world. It becomes apparent as you go through your photos. You'll see themes, looks, subjects that you like and that come out a lot. I'm not sure this is always something you do on purpose or even something that you should worry about. The look is part of it, but people experiment with different looks all the time.
I find it so weird that some people on Reddit has said that they recognize my photos, because my photos have so many different visual styles. Only a couple has said it, but still.
"Style" is mostly something constructed in hindsite. Nobody said: "Let's create a style, and we call it 'Art déco', 'Impressionism' or 'Straight Photography'". People just followed their intuition and di what they liked. And many artists, when finding out that people like what they are doing, keep doing it over and over again - thus finding their "style". Somewhat boring.
When a commentary mildly disturbs me, even though the examples are deeply moving, it’s usually a sign I need to pause and look back a ways. At my age, that’s perhaps back to the 1960’s. So, I can see several styles in my work. The labels might be snapshot, blah landscape, rushed reclining Buddha, hackneyed Tokyo pedestrian intersection, and semi-competent South African wildlife from a Land Cruiser awkwardly positioned. Latest might be kitten with eyes actually in focus thanks to Nikon firmware. Near future will be post cataract surgery no eyeglasses early delights while playing. Still, I do get some moments of satisfaction along with many of the oh no moments. Yes, my style is mostly oh no moments. Likely a fairly widespread style.
The thumbnail of Sinead O'Connor by Herb Ritts caught my eye but he didn't get a mention in your video? Some of the most stylish photographers seem to be forgotten these days; Herb Ritts; Peter Lindbergh; Patrick Demarchelier; Steven Meisel; Sarah Moon; Paolo Roversi etc. etc.
Thank you so much.. it's about a process and finding who I am.. I can see it in my Instagram page its shaping and involving daily or however it may take me.
My thoughts on style in painting… every painter has some deficiencies in there skill with a brush. Style is how they.compensate for those deficiencies.
I think over the years more than one photographer has influenced the way I look at things almost generates a list in my head Peter Lindbergh helmet Newton Bill King Minor White Edward Weston on and on You did this with the books last time where we had to pick one lol
You are right but I think you are kind of wrong in a very small and nuance way. As a photographer with OCD I always struggled with the concept of "STYLE" (and abstract). After years of experience I finally realized a way to teach to students what style is. Your style is what you like. Some people like the color red, others like the color blue. That's style. Some like big things, others small. That's style. Some like sweetness, others bitterness. That's style. Preferences are style. As long as you do something the way you like it you are creating in your style. As simple as that. I think the problem comes when people confuse style with "uniqueness". Some styles are more catchy than others for many reasons (fame, money, weirdness, skillfulness, etc). Once you know this it is easy to understand, but for people that are starting or that are like me who struggled with abstract concepts it can be very difficult, almost impossible to figure out what style is and how to achieve it. Now, style is NOT uniqueness like you said. There are millions of people that can have the same style. Dozens or more that might have the exact same style considering the odds and the globalyzed world we live in and the fact that not many foster their own style and instead grab styles from others (which perhaps is a style by itself). That's why many famous photographers recur to "gimmicks". They fake or create a style. It is not that they "listened to their own voices or meditated to infinity to reach Nirvana" or any bullshit like that. They just found out something looked weird and cool enough to be recognized and then they repeated it till they died. Glamorizing "the great masters" is part of the mistake people make. Most of them were just lucky. So, you can create in your own style or you can find a personal style which might be in itself a style. Stealing or copying is also a style. Like the animal kingdom. Some animals are predators but other animals attach to those predators to feed. Some crabs have shells and other crabs that don't produce shells need to find one. Is your way of living and surviving. The way you act to the circunstances, which is based in your genetics and your background. That's style.
I have no idea. Are you a subscriber? My own homepage often keeps suggesting the same videos over and over, or ones I've watched previously. That sort of thing (how and when it shows up on your homepage) is totally outside of my control.
I keep getting told by other people that I have a 'style'. I'm not doing anything special, just doing what I enjoy, choosing subjects, pressing the button, selecting shots and editing as I see fit. Should I be worried??
Thank you for this excellent presentation. If I understand your point, a successful style is simply a way of presenting a subject that successfully presents your underlying vision of the world. As such, I doubt that Irving Penn or Edward Steichen spent much time worrying about their style; it developed naturally as they experimented with ways to successfully present their vision. And, for me, the big questions become: (1) Is my vision truly clear to me? (2) Is what I want to say somewhat useful or important to others? and (3) Am I getting that across in the images I present? If I can answer these questions positively, then I probably have a meaningful style. And more importantly, if others spend time looking at my images, they will be rewarded with something worth their while. At any rate, thanks for your thoughtful musings on this topic!
I have been hard on myself. I am hard on myself. I am far too guarded to allow myself the permission to express myself freely, and as much as I hate that, the truth of it remains.
Excuse me if I'm off kilter here a bit but as I'm understanding it, you're saying that not having a photographic style isn't important? I think that if you don't have a specific way of taking photos - not B&W or infrared ...... But how you use light, you're not getting the (excuse the pun!!) Picture! I think that before you go out and spend a few paychecks on a camera, it's Best to learn how to use light. Learn its importance and how shadows affect your compositions. Once you have gotten this deep into the game, you're on your way to create your blood from the stone!
What Is interesting about style.. I don't have one.. That I think.. But maybe I have a style, only not aware of it.. I have lots of photos, but which one are special?
Check out Edward Steichen - ua-cam.com/video/naTdHu1t-4k/v-deo.html
Is there a photographer who has influenced your own photography the most?
loved your video on Edward Steichen so much I bought a book covering his Vogue years really like the classics
Interesting timing on the Steichen suggestion, just before I opened this video I got confirmation that "The Family of Man" has shipped. My first influence would have to be my father... Have you covered Arnold Newman?
I know some photographers but I don't think they influenced me really in my style. I LOVE Tim Walk's work so so much I recognize it right away ; but my work is very simple : contrasts of colors.
I would say Cindy Sherman
Generally, now days most would say I am probably most influenced by Karsh but in reality I would say I am influenced by a multitude of different photographers and film maker, with me going in different directions dependant on my mood and the kind of image want to create
I would say other photographs from various photographers have influenced some ideas, even some not "famous", and no particular one. I don't try to copy photos. I do like Ansel Adams, but not sure I could describe a "style", other than black and white, which is all he had. :-)
This is the only UA-cam channel that I get excited about when a new one is released. I like your honesty, how you don’t talk about gear and mostly you introduce “master” photographers that I haven’t heard about before and also new photographers. Your channel has increased my photographic creativity, which makes me happy, so sir, I thank you!
I think my "style" is trying to produce photographs that please and excite ME. If I accomplish that I'm happy. Of course, I hope other people in my audience will like it, too, but if they don't it doesn't matter as much because it pleased and excited me and I'm happy. I recently entered two photographs in a juried show that had 81 entries. One of my photographs earned 3rd place and one of them was awarded Best of Show. I really liked both of them, but the one that earned 3rd place was my favorite. When I first saw the RAW image on my computer my heart skipped a beat. By the time I finished processing for the final print my heart was singing. I was feeling a sense of excitement and at the same time a feeling of well being and contentment that I can't explain. I couldn't wait to show it off. I knew that not everyone would like it, but I liked it and it was a winner with me. Now, I can''t wait until the gallery finishes the exhibition so I can bring it home and hang it on my wall. The one that won Best of Show? I like it, too, and just about everyone who has seen it likes it and exclaims about it, but it doesn't give ME the same sense of affirmation that the 3rd place winner does. I hope it sells at the gallery.
As a trained video-editor I like how you illustrate the point in your editing: you're not afraid of using jump cuts. It's the sort of thing that well meaning advisers will discourage you from using. Bu why not. It's just the easiest, straightforward way to do it. As for the question of photographers: Carl de Keyzer and Harry Gruyaert.
Many years ago I studied to be a florist. After I’ve finished our given missions, it could be to do Ikebana style, a funeral bouquet or whatever, we always could see who had made a certain arrangement! We had the same flowers to choose from and the given assignment but our own style would still show. Style was in our hands, our thoughts and actions. It showed naturally. I find it much harder to to find that with photography, I don’t know why, but I think it has to do with me listening to much to “what others will say” and taking photos as they are supposed to look like (right aperture, “style”; gear etc).For me your videos have made a huge difference in my way of thinking! Can’t thank you enough! 🙏💐
Another wonderful and insightful video. I'm so thankful for your vlogs. When I started Photography last year (age 42) every vlog was gear reviews, what's in my bag etc, but no one focused on the soul of the art. You sir really do exactly what is needed to help those develop from an artistic perspective and not one of technology. Thank you and keep up the great work.
I’ll never forget the day I knew I had a “style” I had a photo in a gallery with many other photographers. My friend ran up to mine never seeing it before saying “I knew this was yours” when she read my name. I asked her how. She said I reminds me of your poetry.
Nice.. I also write free verse ...poetry perhaps. Yes , photography too use mostly vintage rangefinder glass. ...
@@chrisloomis1489 cool! I shoot mostly Fuji cameras last couple years. Doing travel and street mostly. Also like to shoot black and white with old film cameras.
@@davidmayden4942 I'mj using old film cameras, too. I have film in three different cameras of various ages. I'm taking the same photo with each camera to see which image I like the best. It's taking a while!
I agree with this message. Style evolves organically; you shouldn't force it. I recently reviewed my last year's photos and realized that I'm increasingly drawn to minimalist and intimate compositions in landscape, and inclusion of negative space when I shoot wildlife. My videos are also beginning to evolve a certain look, as I've tried different setups and just gotten more comfortable speaking to a camera. It also means noticing what lenses and focal lengths I tend to gravitate to, and what processing methods I've adopted. Few of these changes were consciously aiming at a style, but I can tell what is working best for me at the moment.
Your photos reflect you and your growth, and finally your independence.
Great vid as always. Style is an evolution. If said style remains static then the photographer is not learning, ergo evolving. I totally get what you said about listening to others. I downed my camera for over ten years because of such noise. Now shooting again, I have found my voice, and largely ignore commentary. Maybe if I were a commercial photographer, I would listen to advice more, but for me photography is a journey I enjoy as a solitary traveller. It's the world through my eyes, and my images reflect this.
hahah🤣 the intro, so funny
I think style is something that you develop over time and without realizing it, it also changes in the same way as we also change without realizing it.
_”How’s it, how’s it!?”_ I say that in everyday life now.
This channel is one of the gem that I found on youtube. Feels so great.
I’m actually caught up in this idea as of late. I’m still an amateur but I feel like great photographers found their style early on. It sort of defines them as an artist. Then again it’s all about perspective 🤷🏾♂️.
This is very interesting, as nearly everyone says to have a good portfolio you have to have a style. I have no idea what style I have personally, and just take images of what grabs my attention at that time. Maybe in time my style will eventually come through.
here's what happened to me.. in the effort to put together a (blurb) book of the stuff I had been shooting the last 3 or 4 years..I had to necessarily go back and go thru all my images.... and after a bit it hit me right between the eyes as to what my 'style' was. I was like: OHHHH I get it.. I mean I had all that time been photographing in and around that style - but it took just stopping and looking to 'see' it
Few weeks or months ago I've complained that audio quality is not very good - I had difficulty to understand you correctly. I don't know what have you changed (or not changed at all ;) ) but 2022 series audio is much better now. Thank you!
Photographic Style: that point in a professional photographer's career where their work product attains professional recognition and paid success, and from which point they then continue to do the same thing regularly if not exclusively, to maintain recognition and paid success.
I think social media or really Instagram in general has made us "think" we need to have a set style so our feeds have a consistent look. Photographers today are more concerned about how their photographs look to the masses than how they look to themselves than ever before. I know this because I struggle with the same thing, the Instagram disease. I started to photograph things that are liked than things I enjoy myself, I started to become someone else. Now that I stepped away from majority for social media, I need to learn to rewire my brain and look to myself to create photos that are meaningful to me and not the masses. Thank you Alex, I needed to hear this.
That's so true.. you get judged sooo much by clients that can see another do a photoshoot and decide it's better
I have discarded over 40,000 photo's not because I was looking for my style but I was searching for quality of the photograpgh. That comes with knowledge of the limitations of the camera and the effects of light on the camera and subject. Contrast is the key.,that deliniation of light will give you a great photo no mater the subject is. I have done macro, landscape, street, and people. My favorite subject is flowers and I have some amazine photo's of them. So much so that I have started to grow my own.
You are a lecturer, a very generous man, thank you, I really admire your work!
Wow, thank you
I think this is your best video/message yet. I have watched all of your videos and purchased your course and I am very grateful to you. My style is within me and it has nothing to do with what I photograph. It isn’t how I photograph. My style is the reaction and feeling I want to bring from the photograph.
I only happened to find your channel a few days ago, but the amount of impact you've already had on my perspective as a photographer has been so helpful. After all the effects of covid and lockdowns, I've slowly become detached and even afraid to pick up my own camera for myself, so use to making images for other people that I neglected my own personal work. You've given my photography a new lease and courage to pick it up again and for that I am eternally grateful! Please continue to do your great work in inspiring the photography community!
Wow! This reminded me of when I first started photography with a 1.3 MP camera, and how I loved taking pictures of what I liked. But along the way in an effort to improve myself, I got caught up in the technical aspects of what makes a good picture and slowly lost interest. Now it finally clicked that what made the pictures good was my personality. Excited at all the ideas that are popping in my head. Thanks!
Thank you for your fantastic and thought provoking videos. Thanks for educating us that being a photographer is not about what camera we have but how we see the world.
Thanks for another inspiring video. So much noise on UA-cam to do with gear and stuff. It's great to see a channel that follows a road less travelled.
Picasso: "Style is often something which locks the painter into the same vision, the same technique, the same formula during years and years, sometimes during one's whole lifetime. The different styles I have been using in my art must not be seen as an evolution, or as steps towards an unknown ideal of painting. Everything I have ever made was made for the present and with the hope that it would always remain in the present."
This video really resonated with me. Thanks Alex.
I started thinking about "style" a while ago after having my work showcased in several exhibitions and photo festivals. The term in use in the photo community at the time was "unique visual language" which confused me a lot, because it implied that style is about looks and I instinctively knew that style is about somenthing more personal and deeper. I also felt that visual language should change according to the specific project or genre I was working on. So I decided on a different approach. I asked myself what is a good image for me? What was my photography all about? After endless tries at this (and believe me I chewed this the way a dog chews an old shoe) I arrived at an answer that seems to suit me for now. I felt that my photography is about passion and I set for myself 3 criteria for a process that will hopefully yield a good image at the end. 1. Am I in love with the image at the moment of photographing it?
2. At the culling stage do I still feel that the image has the potential to recreate the way I felt when I took it?
3. After post processing do I still feel that not only I love it (which is really good enough) but that it can convey the way I felt to an audience?
This process has me listening to my inner self and maybe that's where style comes from.
That is not to say that I shun outside inspiration (photography, literature, cinema, plastic art) but that outside inspiration is a kind of reference or assisting tool to my personal creative process.
So I really don't know what my style is, but this is a sort of compass currently guiding my steps on my photographic journey. I wanted to share this with you guys, to contribute to the discussion. Please tell me what you think.
Thank you! I switch off videos that tells me I need to develop a style especially for Instagram.
Yay pep talks. Yep, getting a critique from a pro who tells me what they want to see in a photo or set of photos (it has happened a couple of times) is a bummer but it also helps me define and understand where I am going, what I am sharing. It also helps to have some really good photographer friends who I can talk to and listen to their own struggles and successes (their success fuel my love of photography) and who will share their insights about my work. And am very glad you pointed out that
-a style can evolve
-a style is sometimes shaped by the subject matter
For some photographers who do only one type of photography, landscape, for example, then a consistent style makes sense. But I love photographing all kinds of subjects, so I have various styles, which can flourish and/or morph over time and place and subject. So, thank you. Great, as always.
Does it make sense to speak about style rather than "the way you treat a theme or a story"? This is to me the most important. The style serves the theme, the story, the purpose and make it coherent. Style would impose to always do the same, same colors, same framing, which at the end would makes us prisoner of it. We can have multiple styles, abandon one for another based on feeling, mental disposition, mood of the day. Being in one style drives to boring images, when over used. Limited to a strong story telling or short theme, makes you more creative as supporting the narrative.
Alister Benn of Expressive Photography asked this question in an email he sent out today, "Who am I trying to please with my photographs?" I think the answer dovetails nicely with this video. I think one's style is a way of saying 'this is interesting to me' and 'this is how I want to express it'. When I do both, then my style shows.
As for a major influence on my photography, I would say my parents who were amatuer photographers who were interested in photographing family and travel. The influence they had was to photograph what I was interested in. So I never really struggled with trying to please others. But oddly neither actually influenced me technically.
First of all:
Thank you so much for your great channel. You're speaking to my heart right now.
I'm currently studying photography and I kind of lost myself. A short time ago I discovered your channel by accident and I can really only say that you are an extremely big enrichment for me right now.
Thank you again!
You are a great teacher and photo-philosopher. You kindled the the thoughts in me. Regards
i personally struggle with repetition i guess. often i get bored easily. so i always feel the urge to have to do something new (which could be good because of improvement) but then i somehow have the fear that exactly this "i-don't-wanna-do-this-again-attitude" makes me miss something or get unsatisfied just because i didn't want to take the photo.
Another great video! Not one single tip, trick, Vs. or "how to". Bloody marvelous! :)
I've been thinking so much lately about what is missing in my photography. Your video just gave me the talk I was needing, thank you so much for it and keep doing these amazing videos, I am a huge fan.
I wish I knew how to, on purpose, express myself with my photos. I never have anything I want to communicate with my photos. I just shoot and edit in a way that I like, and that is about it.
The viewers can if course get meaning out of my photos, but that is all on them.
I am influenced by Joseph Sudek's still life photos. So simple, but so dramatic.
I've always liked the comments about liking someone's style. I always want to ask them to describe the "style" in words. I certainly would have trouble doing that, unless, maybe, it is very off the wall.
Thank you...I watched this video at the right time, I think? I need to go with what I like and not be influenced by other's.. great video thank you..
Perfect. Alex, thanks for sharing your insight and knowledge.
I think the style we become, is an artifact of our journey and our level of satisfaction. I think this video is significant. Thank you
Great perspective and excellent timing, I was just speaking to someone about this very subject. While it is good to look at other photographers work I sometimes find myself trying to compare my work with others instaed of just photographing. Thanks for the "Pep Talk"!
Truly important words. Thank you for your work. For support and guidance, for being that friendly mentor that understands and motivates and you know that he has been there so he speaks the truth.
Great video. As it happens, I only realized over the past six months what my style is, and it happened in just the way you described. I wish I had seen this beforehand! It would have saved me a bit of worrying about it :)
A remarkably enlightening conversation!
we need people like you!
I've embraced the Bruce Lee philosophy and adopted "The style of no style". ;-7
But honestly that label "Boring" has been applied (by other people) to my writing, my photography and my self so often I just don't bother 90% of the time.
I appreciate your videos. They are thoughtful and meticulously documented. They inspire and educate. Thanks!
I think style means complacency, that someone have found something you have mastered and are no longer adventurous in your seek for knowledge and skill.
One word: Great!
Thank you so much
"Fashion is what you're told, but style is what you tell yourself"
- Quentin Crisp
Great video and info. I enjoy your insight and am trying new things. I look forward, every week, for your show! Thanks!
Freeman Patterson EFIAP F.P.S.S.A, probably influenced me the most. In my many decades as an enthusiast photographer, the things that I remember and value the most were the two titles of his books, "The Joy of Photography" and "The Art of Seeing".
As far as personal style of photography, I think many photographers are looking for creativity and originality within their comfort zones instead. Also, one can say it is similar to positioning in marketing.
Excellent words of advice. I will watch this video several more times. 🙂 Thank you.
Styles are kind of a certain pattern your brain is already drawn to. You just need to work alot, like you can't tell what a picture is by looking at just a few pieces of puzzle. For photography, if you shoot alot, style will emerge. Definitely. Just shoot what you enjoy, what you feel like you it. That's the way for me.
So... once again you've made me think. After some hours of pondering this video I've come to the following conclusion: Style is not a reflection of what you see but how you percieve what you see. The camera and all of the "rules", tools and techniques of photography are simply the vocabulary tools at your disposal for translating that perception into a physical medium. The better your understanding of that vocabulary the more eloquently you can speak.
Brilliant advice, very helpful, thank you.
This video is timely for me. I wish I could decide on a subject and stick with it. But I guess it's no big deal if I can't. Thanks for the video!
Thank you Alex, excellent advice as always.
Another great video! To me you are the most inspiring photography teacher on UA-cam. Thank you!
A style will no doubt come out in your photos - they are expressions of you and how you see the world. It becomes apparent as you go through your photos. You'll see themes, looks, subjects that you like and that come out a lot. I'm not sure this is always something you do on purpose or even something that you should worry about. The look is part of it, but people experiment with different looks all the time.
And nothing wrong with being a bit of a chameleon either, changing things up from time to time.
I am loving the videos you are doing now. Very empowering.
Inspirational - again. This is a subject that has bothered me. How you describe and discuss style fits my current evolution perfectly. Thank you 🙏
Thank you Alex for the pep talk. I needed it. 👍 Great content, as always. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
When you pick up a camera, you have something to say. Only you can say that something. Thanks for the encouragement
I find it so weird that some people on Reddit has said that they recognize my photos, because my photos have so many different visual styles. Only a couple has said it, but still.
Wonderful as always Alex. I so enjoy your content, always thought provoking.
It's like true love: do not go looking for it - you will know the moment it is there.
"Style" is mostly something constructed in hindsite. Nobody said: "Let's create a style, and we call it 'Art déco', 'Impressionism' or 'Straight Photography'". People just followed their intuition and di what they liked. And many artists, when finding out that people like what they are doing, keep doing it over and over again - thus finding their "style". Somewhat boring.
When a commentary mildly disturbs me, even though the examples are deeply moving, it’s usually a sign I need to pause and look back a ways. At my age, that’s perhaps back to the 1960’s. So, I can see several styles in my work. The labels might be snapshot, blah landscape, rushed reclining Buddha, hackneyed Tokyo pedestrian intersection, and semi-competent South African wildlife from a Land Cruiser awkwardly positioned. Latest might be kitten with eyes actually in focus thanks to Nikon firmware. Near future will be post cataract surgery no eyeglasses early delights while playing. Still, I do get some moments of satisfaction along with many of the oh no moments. Yes, my style is mostly oh no moments. Likely a fairly widespread style.
The thumbnail of Sinead O'Connor by Herb Ritts caught my eye but he didn't get a mention in your video? Some of the most stylish photographers seem to be forgotten these days; Herb Ritts; Peter Lindbergh; Patrick Demarchelier; Steven Meisel; Sarah Moon; Paolo Roversi etc. etc.
Thank you so much.. it's about a process and finding who I am.. I can see it in my Instagram page its shaping and involving daily or however it may take me.
Love your Martin Paar photo selection :)
Already liked the first sentence. Great one again.
My thoughts on style in painting… every painter has some deficiencies in there skill with a brush. Style is how they.compensate for those deficiencies.
Thanks, you’re totally right ‼️👍🏻
I think over the years more than one photographer has influenced the way I look at things almost generates a list in my head
Peter Lindbergh helmet Newton Bill King Minor White Edward Weston on and on
You did this with the books last time where we had to pick one lol
Thank you for the pep talk!
You are right but I think you are kind of wrong in a very small and nuance way. As a photographer with OCD I always struggled with the concept of "STYLE" (and abstract). After years of experience I finally realized a way to teach to students what style is.
Your style is what you like.
Some people like the color red, others like the color blue. That's style. Some like big things, others small. That's style. Some like sweetness, others bitterness. That's style. Preferences are style. As long as you do something the way you like it you are creating in your style. As simple as that. I think the problem comes when people confuse style with "uniqueness". Some styles are more catchy than others for many reasons (fame, money, weirdness, skillfulness, etc). Once you know this it is easy to understand, but for people that are starting or that are like me who struggled with abstract concepts it can be very difficult, almost impossible to figure out what style is and how to achieve it.
Now, style is NOT uniqueness like you said. There are millions of people that can have the same style. Dozens or more that might have the exact same style considering the odds and the globalyzed world we live in and the fact that not many foster their own style and instead grab styles from others (which perhaps is a style by itself). That's why many famous photographers recur to "gimmicks". They fake or create a style. It is not that they "listened to their own voices or meditated to infinity to reach Nirvana" or any bullshit like that. They just found out something looked weird and cool enough to be recognized and then they repeated it till they died. Glamorizing "the great masters" is part of the mistake people make. Most of them were just lucky.
So, you can create in your own style or you can find a personal style which might be in itself a style. Stealing or copying is also a style. Like the animal kingdom. Some animals are predators but other animals attach to those predators to feed. Some crabs have shells and other crabs that don't produce shells need to find one. Is your way of living and surviving. The way you act to the circunstances, which is based in your genetics and your background. That's style.
Why am I continually notified of this as a 'new' post? Thanks!
I have no idea. Are you a subscriber?
My own homepage often keeps suggesting the same videos over and over, or ones I've watched previously.
That sort of thing (how and when it shows up on your homepage) is totally outside of my control.
Great explanation Thank you so much.
Within 10 seconds I hit the like button
I keep getting told by other people that I have a 'style'. I'm not doing anything special, just doing what I enjoy, choosing subjects, pressing the button, selecting shots and editing as I see fit. Should I be worried??
Thouroughly enjoyed this and needed to hear it 🙏
Q: How do you know if a person is a photographer? A: They take pictures.
This channel is so good!
Thank you for this excellent presentation. If I understand your point, a successful style is simply a way of presenting a subject that successfully presents your underlying vision of the world. As such, I doubt that Irving Penn or Edward Steichen spent much time worrying about their style; it developed naturally as they experimented with ways to successfully present their vision.
And, for me, the big questions become: (1) Is my vision truly clear to me? (2) Is what I want to say somewhat useful or important to others? and (3) Am I getting that across in the images I present? If I can answer these questions positively, then I probably have a meaningful style. And more importantly, if others spend time looking at my images, they will be rewarded with something worth their while.
At any rate, thanks for your thoughtful musings on this topic!
I have been hard on myself. I am hard on myself. I am far too guarded to allow myself the permission to express myself freely, and as much as I hate that, the truth of it remains.
Game changing
Alex I love you videos… Thank You!
Excuse me if I'm off kilter here a bit but as I'm understanding it, you're saying that not having a photographic style isn't important?
I think that if you don't have a specific way of taking photos - not B&W or infrared ......
But how you use light, you're not getting the (excuse the pun!!) Picture!
I think that before you go out and spend a few paychecks on a camera, it's Best to learn how to use light. Learn its importance and how shadows affect your compositions. Once you have gotten this deep into the game, you're on your way to create your blood from the stone!
Picasso: "Style is beside the point. Nobody would pay attention if one always said the same thing, in the same words and the same tone of voice."
love your vids. Ted talks
just loved it, thanks.
Great video!
Thanks!
You got a new follower! :)
Thank you. 👍📷😎
What Is interesting about style.. I don't have one.. That I think..
But maybe I have a style, only not aware of it..
I have lots of photos, but which one are special?