Style - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

01/19/2003 11:27:02 AM · #2

I think that a person is their own worst critique and that may be why it is hard to recognize ones own style. After reviewing my 38 entries in DPC I have decided that my style is probably just quantity instead of quality. (Addicted....Ha!) I like to shoot things in a natural way and do not like set up shots like stills Etc. I don't think I will ever actually develop a style of my own and I certantly can't see one at this time.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/19/2003 11:29:53 AM · #3

I dont think I have a style. On looking at all my photos, I just seem to take pictures.

DougPaz

Nikon D40

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

01/19/2003 11:34:45 AM · #4

Originally posted by Konador:

I dont think I have a style. On looking at all my photos, I just seem to take pictures.

I think that is what I am asking/talking about. When we just go out and take pictures it is good practice but is it really counter-productive? Would it behoove us to develop a style and work on that to perfect a certain area of our photography or does it something that just comes whether you want it to or not?

jimmsp

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Nikon

01/19/2003 11:57:11 AM · #5

I think you may also have to separate style from challenge entries. I tend to link style with enjoyment. I have always enjoyed taking photos in the "nature" catagory. When I look at most of what I have taken, the ones I like the best are nature related. And when I look at the ones that have done best in these challenges, they are generally nature related.
When I look at those that have done poorly here, they are the set up ones, where I tried to create a scene.

I'm reading a good book now by a British writer, Arnold Wilson, titled "Nature Photography". He makes a good point - you shoot your best photos when you enjoy and know your subject.
In the end, I believe that will form your personal style.

Jim

lionelm

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/19/2003 12:23:17 PM · #6

In the 'technology' challenge, of friend of mine guessed which picture was mine. I am not sure it's a good thing when you are not a 'master'.

I am not sure we can talk about style, when we can talk about it, that's not what I mean, but for amateurs (in the noble sense of the word) our style in photography is as well determined by our environment, buy our camera budget, by our travel budget.
Photo masters are very often highly specialized.
I am not sure (sorry but I do not know a lot about hreat photograph) but they higly work by theme, by 'book' and they need to be recognized with a style to sell their photo.

I am not sure I have a style, I know my photos have specific characteristics .. they are 'clean' (a little too clean), they rely a lot on 'graphical' concept : shapes, areas, contrasts.

I hesitated to post in that thread , I am not a 'photography' thinker and I tend to avoid the thread like this but .. here are my 2 cents, bargained at 50% price for fellow DPCs ;-)

Lionel

Message edited by author 2003-01-19 12:23:54.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/19/2003 12:43:34 PM · #7

Some of this will be easier to evaluate when we have photographer's galleries where we can review and comment on their "body of (DPC) work" and compare more easily..

My "style" usually consists of the occasional good idea combined with hurried and somewhat sloppy execution. So far, I am not able to set aside the time to really tweak my "first draft" into a fully-finished displayable work. However, I try try and take as much pleasure from someone commenting "great idea poorly done" as a better-done but less original interpretation.

I usually look for a humorous or odd angle to the challenge topic...

lisae

Olympus C-720UZ

01/19/2003 12:58:20 PM · #8

I don't think your own "style" necessarily has to be present in every photo you take. It will clarify itself over time. The photos that are still satisfying for you to look at long into the future are the ones that really reflect your own artistic and aesthetic values, ie. your style. But if you confine yourself to a certain type of photo, you'll never explore all the facets of your own sensiblities.

I think it's best to keep an open mind and not try to pigeonhole yourself :).

jimmsp

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Nikon

01/19/2003 01:07:17 PM · #9

[quote=GeneralE]Some of this will be easier to evaluate when we have photographer's galleries where we can review and comment on their "body of (DPC) work" and compare more easily..

My "style" usually consists of the occasional good idea combined with hurried and somewhat sloppy execution. So far, I am not able to set aside the time to really tweak my "first draft" into a fully-finished displayable work. ...........quote]

I'm not so sure that a body of DPC work will really show one's style. I read a lot of posts here that basically say : I submitted this photo, but it was quickly taken within the deadline. The more I read in the areas that I prefer (nature, landscapes) the more I see the advice given - have patience, study your subject, and take your time.

I for one don't do that for much of my DPC work. I don't necessarily think that's bad either. I have come to the conclusion that my DPC work (as well as a couple of other challenges) have helped me improve my technical skills, and have forced me to explore new areas that I might not have tried to before. That's good. But I don't expect to produce my best work for a DPC challenge. What I learn here I apply in the areas where I want to really spend my time. That will help me improve (and create) my style in my areas of interest.

Jacko

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/19/2003 01:12:41 PM · #10

I don't know if I'd call it a style, but most of my pictures are all about colours and sharpness. I like shots that almost look too good to be true. I don't usually get that effect, but that's what I'm shooting for. Not much tolerance for out of foucs objects (except when a shallow depth of field is required) in my photography.

The style I'm trying to get, and was able to achieve for some of my submissions: Apples Mirror and Sky, Jump!, , Yellow, Feed Me, and Galaxy No. 4.

Wow, Thanks for the excersise Lisae, I had never really stopped to look at my "style".

What I really want to learn is Landscape Photography and people (candid mostly and a bit of potraiture). We'll see if it can fit into my style, lol.

myqyl

Nikon D3100

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

01/19/2003 10:51:14 PM · #11

I'm pretty sure I'm devoid of style... Not only in my photography apparently as was pointed out in a comment on a self portrait I did for "Your Occupation"... I was told;

12/20/2002 11:38:12 AM
can't we get a law passed to outlaw ponytails on men over forty?

Obviously, I have no style :)

01/19/2003 10:58:30 PM · #12

I have been thinking about this thread a little since it first started....

I don't think 'style' is something you can go out and find. I think 'style' may be a set of common preferences maybe... I also agree with the comments that discuss not being able to determine any specific style from looking at DPC submissions. When you are shooting to an assignment, you can usually throw any ideas of artistic styles that you may have right out the window :)

kathleenm

Canon EOS-D60

01/23/2003 11:05:55 AM · #13

This has been rattling around in my head for a couple of days now. Thinking about what kind of photos I like to take, where I can find my inspiration and what my personal style is.

I was checking my profile to see how many useful comments you guys thought I'd made, when I looked down at my highest rated photos. They are all nature shots..lol. Not a studio shot to be found. For the most part when I've attempted studio shots, it feels unnatural and they tend to bomb here. I think I've found my answer. :-)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/23/2003 11:11:07 AM · #14

What you enjoy shooting is definitely part of your style :) How you go about shooting it is another significant part of your style as well... I would have to say that I enjoy the 'setup' shots as much as anything, but then again, there is the 'rustic' side of me that loves to photograph something 'old' or nostalgic. My 'nature' and 'landscape' shots are fairly mundane. I simply don't spend enough time pursuing that subject matter :( It's not that I don't like it tho.. As I look in my pbase gallery, subjectively, landscapes and nature photos are my largest collection over there...

My Landscapes

Message edited by author 2003-01-23 11:12:03.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

01/23/2003 12:31:38 PM · #15

I think of "style" as the way an artist/photographer views things/the world, and over time you are able to express your "vision",or your particular way of seeing things, through your art/photograhy.

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

01/23/2003 02:26:45 PM · #16

What an excellent question and I'm not sure if I really have my style truly defined but I do know that I attempt to capture the beauty of everything I photograph. That's why I am struggling with this week's challenge, square :)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/23/2003 02:30:29 PM · #17

The way the challenge is worded makes it tough this week...

zadore

Canon EOS-5D

01/23/2003 02:39:44 PM · #18

First of all, this is an excellent thread. It has made me analyze my photos to a point that I can now see similarities.

I find that I like to 'push the envelope' when it comes to composition. My crops are tight, and I often 'clip' part of my subjects...and I like that :) It is one of the things that makes my photos slightly different from the usual 'rule of thirds' setups we see all the time...even if my photos don't do as well as I wish they did. :)

I really like what I submit, and am quite proud that I can see things differently when I'm on my weekly 'mission'.

Thank you, DougPaz, for initiating this thread :)

magnetic9999

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

01/23/2003 03:31:53 PM · #19

i think it is easier for another person to tell you what they think is your style rather than you assessing it for your self. it's too hard to be objective.

i think the best you can do for yourself is identify subjects you like, ways of composing you gravitate to, and tonal prefs.

but someone else may give you a clearer picture :)

zadore

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/23/2003 03:47:22 PM · #20

Originally posted by magnetic9999:

Then I challenge you, Mag (or anyone else for that matter) :) By looking at my entries (minus the New Year's one) can you get a 'sense' of what my 'style' is?

You're not obligated, of course, but now I'm curious ;)

crabappl3

01/23/2003 04:43:44 PM · #21

You have a photojournalistic style I think. You have the ability to capture the feeling of a moment. You don't seem to do a lot of studio setup shots.

My opinion only,
-danny

Originally posted by zadore:

Originally posted by magnetic9999:
i think it is easier for another person to tell you what they think is your style rather than you assessing it for your self. it's too hard to be objective.

i think the best you can do for yourself is identify subjects you like, ways of composing you gravitate to, and tonal prefs.

but someone else may give you a clearer picture :)

Then I challenge you, Mag (or anyone else for that matter) :) By looking at my entries (minus the New Year's one) can you get a 'sense' of what my 'style' is?

You're not obligated, of course, but now I'm curious ;)

01/23/2003 05:23:14 PM · #22

Originally posted by magnetic9999:

When I look at my own work, I can see that I'm still searching and have not developed much on my own yet... I'm still feeding from things I see and modeling after other photographers...

Annida

Olympus C-4000Z

01/23/2003 05:26:33 PM · #23

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by magnetic9999:
i think it is easier for another person to tell you what they think is your style rather than you assessing it for your self. it's too hard to be objective.

i think the best you can do for yourself is identify subjects you like, ways of composing you gravitate to, and tonal prefs.

but someone else may give you a clearer picture :)

When I look at my own work, I can see that I'm still searching and have not developed much on my own yet... I'm still feeding from things I see and modeling after other photographers...

I've decided that my style at the moment is going to be those nice horizontal lines that keep showing up on my bloody pictures cause my camera is crap! I think I should really work on them and make them more pronounced ... or something :)

01/23/2003 05:33:09 PM · #24

Annida, can you edit them out after you take the shot? Show me an example?

magnetic9999