What's Your Style?

 I am the worst blogger ever.  I start a blog and then forget about it and then I can't remember my username or password and have to start over.  I made this one so I can't forget, however I am still not good at blogging. I think it is because I don't know what to blog about. I can post pictures of what I have been doing but that is also on my website so I have decided I need to have a theme, discussion or idea to write about. I am really hoping that many will comment on this blog so it will motivate me to keep it going. I love "shop" talk about photography so the topic for this week is:

              WHAT IS YOUR STYLE?

I recently entered a contest where they wanted you to submit a picture that best represents "your style". I'm thinking what does that mean there are so many styles of photography how do I say I am one kind of style. I seem to have many styles of photography depending on my subject, the mood or emotion I want to create, and what best displays the personality of the person. I did some research into types and styles of photography to see if I am just a photographer who is out of place with many styles. This is what I came up with.  There are many ways to classify photography. Genre, style, technique, and type seem to be the categories that people define different aspects of photography such as:

        * Research

        * Nature (landscapes, wildlife etc)

        * Travel

        * Still Life (Portrait, wedding, etc)

        * Commercial

        * Photojournalism

        * Fashion (some could put this into still life)

        * Forensic

        * Sports

        * Food (not sure if this is its own category or put into commercial or still life)

 There are still sub categories within each genre like in still life which include:

        *Traditional /formal               *Custom

        *Contemporary  *Heirloom/heritage/time periods     

        *Casual/informal                   *Creative

        *Candid                         *Fashion

        *photojournalism 

        *artistic

All of which is left up to the photographer to express his artistic view through technique and expression of the emotion they want to create in the subject.

So what does this mean? Style is how you express your artistic ability? How does one have just one style when there are so many ways of expression?

I personally feel it is important to be able to use many styles and techniques to expand your artistic expression that will meet the needs of the public. There are so many techniques and ways to express mood from the subject.  Black & White, Motion blur, Low light, Studio lighting, Natural light, tilt shift, panoramic, fish eye, lens baby, Macro, silhouette, to name a few.

I enjoy many styles and techniques of photography. Why limit my ability to share artistic emotion and expression to only one style.

I love many styles these are examples of several.

 Landscape/Nature

 Still Life Portrait

Commercial                                                                                        

                               

 Artistic

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 Creative

 

                 

                   

                                          

                                                              Micro Stock

                          Wedding

 

Low Light/Motion blur

 

  

                                                  Silhouette
  Fashion

 

      I really feel that photographers should use different "styles" in their images.  Try new and different techniques to express each subject to the feelings you want to create.

In this picture I wanted to have a very masculine picture showing definition to his athleticism and love for soccer to show the hard work and sweat it takes to play the sport.

          In this image I wanted to create the serenity of reading. The joy of getting wrapped into the story.

This picture I wanted to state the calmness of being away from the busyness and seeing it from afar.

 

I came across this forum/blog on pinterest. It interested me because of their motto or mission : Critique, confidence, community.  It is for women photographers wanting to share photography and help others develop their talent. From most of my experiences in photography it is rare when other photographers are willing to give advice to others wanting to develop in this art.  Many are unwilling to give tips and editing secrets because after-all they may be competition right? If others are willing to share and critique this is something worth following so I got the magazine and newsletter.  When I entered the contest I was unsure of what they expected from asking us to submit the photo that best represents "your style". Many of the entries appeared to be all the same. Portrait of women, family, children in a contemporary setting some casual with the same basic technique for color shift, haze overlays, color pop, sun flare/haze many with the same mood. I wanted something different a unique expression and setting that shows skills and technique. To me it seems they picked all they same styles for the top ten. So what does this say about the Blog's ability to branch out and see different aspects of photography?

I however am not giving up I am trying for their Wild Card slot but I have a one in 189th chance to get in.  I have to do their 1st assignment which is posing & Style.  Again with that word I think they need to change it to expression. Maybe I will mention something about it to them?

Would love to hear your comments!!!