The concept of a particular style or ‘look’ in photography is an opaque one. At galleries and exhibitions, especially, much can be made of an artist’s style, but while it may be interesting, it often says little about what the creator is actually doing to produce content worthy of recognition. Unfortunately, as with many creative endeavours, when taking photographs, there is a risk of becoming preoccupied with how to craft a signature workflow.
We often start out inspired by a restricted subset of artists, based on our limited knowledge of the creative possibilities open to us in this diverse medium. This leads to us attempting to recreate the visual language of one or two photographers. This effect has been greatly amplified in the social media era, where a handful of users are favoured by algorithms and elevated to global visibility. While this can be a good starting point for experimenting with advanced techniques, simply mimicking others restricts us from doing what feels natural in our own photo workflow. What we’re left with is a pressure to produce similar content, while struggling to introduce something unique and creatively fulfilling. So, instead, why not consider the following three pillars for style success – commercial popularity; uniqueness and identity; and your engagement and enjoyment?
Over the next few pages, we will explore how to create images that are both contemporary and commercially relevant, while still exhibiting your own creative preferences. The process of finding your style needn’t be a chore – it can be a fun journey that calls on multiple skills and allows you to use your kit in novel ways.
Shooting techniques
Like cooking
