Would I recognise my own work?

Nope.

Not sure I have (or want) a style as such. I'd be interested to hear what if any mine was.

I am not sure if I have a style, although a couple of models I shoot with frequently have said cinematic and even if they are just being kind I will take that.

As a hobbyist, who isn’t looking to shoot lots of TFP, I’m not sure having a style matters. I shoot for fun and like trying different things, this is where I get my enjoyment - if a style emerges great, but it is not something I am actively working to create

If I wanted to shoot lots of TFP then having a recognisable look to my images would probably help, as this is what a lot of models who are building their portfolios seem to want from TFP (I know other reasons exist for TFP)

Likewise if you run events / do training a clear style with high quality work seems to help - see the excellent Tabitha Boydell or English Photoworks for examples of this

I'm not sure about being able to recognise my own style, but I do know I regularly get messages from models who love my style, and would really love to work with me.

Sure, they then go on and give their rates, and don't actually reference anything in my notes, never mind visiting any of my images to give them some love, but I should be grateful for the message anyway, right?

Wasn't it Rankin who said that not having a style is a style in itself?

Gothic Image said

Wasn't it Rankin who said that not having a style is a style in itself?

I think he said not having a surname is a style in itself... ;)

Gothic Image said

Wasn't it Rankin who said that not having a style is a style in itself?

There are styles and meta-styles. True artistry, if you ask me, includes the ability to interrogate style itself.

Either:

- to come up with a style for a series of work, adapt it throughout the series cohesively, and then be able to discard that style if you choose, and work on another,

- or to simply study one's own style as if it was someone else's, adjust it, evolve it, mimic it, parody it, etc.

An illustrator friend is an expert at this kind of work in absolutely everything he does creatively -- illustration, graphic design, photography. But you see it in all sorts of artists. Picasso, Dali, Monet.

You also see the absence of it. Renoir, for example, was just stuck.

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

B17fan

Do you not want to have a style, because you may feel claustrophobic by that?

Unfocussed Mike

Quote:

"- or to simply study one's own style as if it was someone else's, adjust it, evolve it, mimic it, parody it, etc"

I am definitely taking this and using it for my own work, both here and as a model, which I think I do sometimes. It's very useful advice.👍🏽

Marissa _PH1

I suppose so. I worry my work is too repetitive already without the added "sameness" of a particular editing style. There are photographers whose images never fail to impress me with their quality but I do sometimes wonder if they've become a "one trick pony'.

B17fan

My work is possibly a one trick pony style, because I can see definite patterns with the model's poses and a heavy use of smoking.

I however don't want to be jack of all trades, if I'm not competent enough to do everything.

Yep. Simple photos of people with probably slightly more photoshopping, and less consideration, than is essential. 

Nope…still not got a clue what my style is

Not really no, my photos aren't anything special or artistic. They are enjoyable for me to take though, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. And that's good enough for me. 

I mean using my own terminology I reckon I mostly only have a meta-style, in a way.

My style is things I make by considering and analysing other people's styles. 

My style is "erratic practising student of photographic history"

gjp

Quote:" Likewise if you run events / do training a clear style with high quality work seems to help - see the excellent Tabitha Boydell or English Photoworks for examples of this"

Those two examples do have very distinct styles that's very popular on PP atm.