style

anybody can take a photograph, it takes vigilance, time, hard work, and focus to create a masterpiece.

WHY? 

having a style is important: it will set you apart from every other photographer. you will be known for, it will help to define you as a an artist, it will become part of your legacy, it's a reflection of who you are and your feelings, and it is what will get you booked.

when you first start shooting you will copy everything and everyone, you will shoot every genera. it's ok!  this is the process of development, because nothing is new under the sun. anything you can think of has been done before. Note! your favorite photographer did not become good overnight. also note, talent is overrated, most people aren't naturally great, they work/(ed) hard to achieve what they have and you should too.

"Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the night." - henry wadsworth longfellow

HOW

be inspired: but do not copy or try to reproduce the exact photographs others have done. go to museums, look at paintings and sculptures. explore other art forms: music, poetry, art etc. explore other genera of photography other than you own. food photography has influenced some of my wedding photography.

as far as movies i liked "the other boleyn girl": it has dramatic rembrandt lighting through out the movie, which reflects one of my favorite ways i like to light photographs. read this book "steal like and artist", the author brilliantly explains the process of artistic development. he states your style is like the genes of a child . a father's genes plus a mother's genes gives you a whole "new" set of genes. in short what you have learned or what you are influenced by plus your own gives you something "new."

 "bathsheba at her bath" (1654) - rembrandt | "garter" - ade oshodi (2013) 

focus: as you grow, you will begin to realize that you like some elements of photography (lighting styles, composition elements, different genera of photography, environments) more than others. it is at that point that you narrow down your focus and work hard at one or two genera of photography. ansel adams wasn't know for his boudoir, food, pet, and fashion work, he mastered nature photography. pick a genera that you love and stick to it! become a one trick pony.

reflect: go back to the drawing board. ask yourself what you do/don't like about what you are producing. make prints that you think reflect your style. ask the opinion of skilled artisans in photography, in different generas of art, as well as the opinions of lay persons alike. take a break, relax, then go look again with different eyes. refine.

competence and consistency: know your gear, equipment, lighting techniques, compositional elements, people skills, and everything relating to the technical aspect of photography like you know how to spell your name. i don't need to explain why, if you are reading this you know why. consistency: after you have reached a point where you have narrowed down what you like and chosen your path stay on that track, repeat it over and over and over and over and over, then you will begin to develop a style of your own and start inspiring others. and finally do not change your style to suit clients needs, you will run into much trouble, clients who like your style will book you for that and there is plenty of people out there who want what you are offering.

keep kewl!