My last two posts mulled over the idea that photography can be (needs to be?) more than what I would call subject, composition, and technical excellence. While that combination yields excellent images, the fact is, the world is awash with excellent images.
Some years ago I was viewing an exhibition of prints. The images were all excellent in accordance with the criteria of arresting subject matter, faultless composition, and technical excellence. I enjoyed sporadic conversation with another person as we viewed the images when suddenly I said, “you know, the problem with these is, they are all the same.” That ended our brief encounter with neither able to figure out how to continue the conversation.
I didn’t know why my subconscious had generated that poorly expressed thought, so I looked at the photos again. Of course, they weren’t all the same. The subject matter and treatment was diverse. For a long time, I pondered what had prompted my comment and finally decided that it had nothing to do with the subject matter but with the uniformly “correct” compositional arrangement together with technical perfection all styled to suit a judge. The irony is, I value those qualities in my work. So what was my subconscious problem with uniformity of technical and compositional perfection?
Since then, having viewed hundreds of photos created by accomplished photographers, it dawned on me that each had a personal style. Whether it’s subtle or jarring, it is there be seen by the keen observer. Of course, the same applies in the art world where, for multiple reasons, individual styles are more obvious.
A highly developed personal style will focus on a particular genre. An example is Melbourne street photographer and photojournalist, Jesse Marlow. He said that for years while doing his street photography, he used the same film, the same lens and the same camera with the shutter speed set at 1/500 second. Extreme perhaps, but the best way to develop consistency and polish your craft.
A personal style is worth striving towards but should never reach finality. If it does, then learning and growth have stopped. Some won’t accept that your work doesn’t conform with their view of normal but take that as a sign that you have achieved a point of difference - a personal style.