PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE -1
In this inaugural posting, I wanted to explore a seemingly simple, yet complex topic.
Like many photographers, it's a topic very close to my heart. One I constantly wrestle with as I strive to evolve as a photographer.
That topic centres on ‘photographic style.’
In this first of two part posting, I'll be focusing on sharing personal perspectives on the following two questions:
What do we mean by photographic style?
And,
How important is it?
Let's start with the first question.
For me, photographic style is about having a distinctive voice that differentiates oneself from others working in a similar field.
For example, it's what makes a Daido Moriyami image instantly recognisable or differentiates an Alex Webb from a Harry Gruyaert. Very different styles, yet somehow provoke similar feelings or emotions when I view them.
Style is synonymous with voice. Often used interchangeably, it's about expressing who we are and what matters to us.
It's both how we want to see the world and for the world to see us and the meaning behind why we create the sorts of images that we do.
Relatability (if there is such a word) is key. It's why some photographers works truly inspire and others leave us cold. By that I'm not referring to subject matter or genre.
Style in that respect is synonymous with articulation. As an aspiring musician in my younger days, it was articulation that made one pianist relatable and others not, when playing the same work or composition.
Photography is no different to music or any other art form in that respect.
In defining what we mean by photographic style, we're part way to answering that second question, namely how important is it?
Style certainly matters if you want to be seen or have your works seen by your viewers in a way that makes them directly relatable to you.
If you want to keep pulling people back to your work, having a recognisable style is important for grabbing attention and drawing viewers back in, amongst a multitude of other competing distractions.
For some taking interesting images is enough and that's fine.
That really depends on what you want to achieve and how far you want to go in a particular direction.
As to how to go about cultivating a photographic style, that's a topic I'll be exploring in part two of this posting.
In the meantime, keep creating and thank you for taking the time to read my first post.