Stop looking at everyone else’s photography.
That is it. It is that simple. If you are trying to establish your photography style, you have to stop looking at what everyone else is doing. It is one thing to study a photography technique. It is another to spend hours looking at other people’s work and growing more and more discouraged. For the next month, your life and what you see and interact with is going to be your inspiration. When I first started shooting digital photography, my feed reader was full of photography blogs. You know what all that looking at other people’s work did for my creativity? It killed it. You see, people share what they want on their blogs. Some create the “perfect” life online and this sometimes made me feel like my work and my life was not good enough. So, I unsubscribed from all of the blogs and stopped looking at their pictures for a little while. I wanted my style to come through, not someone else’s. Try this: Do not visit your favorite photo heavy blogs for at least 30 days. Instead, become absorbed in your life and surroundings only. You are going to become your own muse and draw inspiration from the things you love.
- Take pictures of your kids in action when they are laughing or playing. This is a great way to learn to tell a story with your pictures.
- Take a walk in your favorite park and pay attention to the things you do not normally see. Get closer to that strange looking weed and take a close up picture. What do you see?
- Experiment with processing images in your favorite photo editor. Create your own actions or process in black and white for the month. Does removing the color from the image change the mood of your pictures?
Believe me, this is one of the best exercises you can do to grow your visual storytelling skills. When your life becomes the main subject of your pictures, your style shines through.
Want to learn more? Check out the following:
What is ISO? What is Shutter Speed? Photo Composition: Rule of Thirds Understanding Aperture and Depth of Field How to Find Your Photography Style - Part One
[…] Finding Your Photography Style - Part Two […]
So far i’ve read two of your posts and all can think is AMEN! I think this blog post should be number two advice for any one wanting to become a photographer, the first being get a camera of course. Please keep up the simple, straightforward advice!
Maxine
hertwoscents.com
Maxine, thank you very much. I am happy the posts have been useful. I plan on continuing the series, as I believe everyone can be a great photographer.
Take care!
[…] How to Find Your Photography Style - Part Two […]
I have been frustrated about my photography and like you, I have a ton of photography sites on my facebook and it does nothing but make me feel inadequate. Your 2 blogs on finding my style are excellent and so different from other sites i’ve read. What you write makes perfect sense, thanks.
Andy, I am so glad the two post were helpful. I find it most helpful to step away from other photographers’ just to see my own style. Best of luck and I hope to continue providing useful information. Take care!
[…] How to Find Your Photography Style - Part Two […]
[…] How to Find Your Photography Style - Part Two […]