Finding My Own Style

[AgentDrex]

Now that I've learned the rules, I am breaking them to find my own signature style. Here are some of the beginning growth towards the art side of my photography diverting from the technical side that I was attempting to achieve (not everyone will like these as I am turning to the art side which is obviously subjective):

#1

#2

#3

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

What rules have you learned?

I also want to throw out there, because it is such a common thought, being able to break rules doesn't make a great photographer. Knowing when broken "rules" work, and when they don't makes the better photographer.

The elements of composition and design is very large subject. Difficult to master. Often subtle and nuanced.

So, what rules have you broken in these images, and why do you feel they work better because of it?

 

[c.cloudwalker]

What rules did you break here?

 

[Muct]

I like the first one most.
js' lol.

 

[KKJUN]

I don't really see the artsy aspect of these.

 

[KmH]

A photographers 'style' is something that just evolves. It doesn't stay static, unless a photographer becomes stagnant.

Just shoot. Your 'style' will develope on it's own.

 

[AgentDrex]

Good point KmH...I will keep shooting. I'm breaking the exposure rule and going for underexposed, soft, noisy photos. I'm going to start shooting high iso for noise, large aperture and fast shutter speed...in there is where my heart lies...

 

[gsgary]

Point and shoot style ? anything that is not interesting

 

[ghache]

Good point KmH...I will keep shooting. I'm breaking the exposure rule and going for underexposed, soft, noisy photos. I'm going to start shooting high iso for noise, large aperture and fast shutter speed...in there is where my heart lies...

ohhhh shiiiiitttt. being completly off technicaly speaking doesnt make you "different".

 

[misstwinklytoes]

Thats kind of what I was thinking ^^

 

[Geaux]

Yeah, I fail to see how making something over exposed or under exposed and noisy makes it any better.

Sorry, not feeling your new 'style'

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Well, I can see it become a style. The problem is, very often, style relates to subject matter. Or I should say it works with subject matter. It enhances, or brings out something special. If it is arbitrary, it appears to be less a style, and more of an error. Think about the new trend to over expose baby and kid shots, to create a light an airy, happy feel to it. It is over exposure, and it is a style. And it works. One could argue that you can use style, or effects, counter to the subject matter such as over exposure on dark subject material, or under exposure for shots that should feel happy. But you still have to do it with purpose, with meaning and it has to work. Often, applying a style incongruent with subject matter just looks arbitrary, random, and poorly thought out. Think photoshop "actions".

Drex, instead of exploring style, you should explore subject matter. Or at a minimum, explore and work to understand how to relate it to a subject.
In my opinion, the most important ingredient to a successful image is the subject. How it is presented is secondary. Important, but secondary. In other words, your style could take a moderately interesting subject and make it sing. Applying your style to boring subject matter, rarely will make it sing.

 

[zadelstein]

I am also very new to photography and really trying to learn a style as I am learning the technical side of it. To me a style is just what everyone else is saying, not changing the technical aspect of it. A good example in my opinion of a photographer with a very developed style is horror photographer Joshua Hoffine. Here is some of his work:

Joshua Hoffine

 

[AgentDrex]

Thank you all for your insights. They make sense and I will give serious thought to them. I will keep shooting away. Like said, style will come....I'll invest some non-camera time just subject hunting....thank you Bitter...

 

[KenC]

I like the third one a lot - good use of color and composition, and has a definite "feel" to it. It doesn't seem underexposed or soft and I'm not really sure how noisy it is. All of these things are subjective and not "breaking rules" per se.