How to describe a photography style?

<p>I hope I posted this in the right forum category.<br>

My question is, how does one define or describe a photography style? Are there certain parameters that are used to describe a style? such as, light/dark, color, common types of subjects, processing method....? Or is there a certain method/best way to describe a photography style? <br>

I guess I just need some more examples. I have heard terms like fun, bubbly, dark, dramatic, unobtrusive, grunge...<br>

I'm trying to figure out my style--to describe it. If you'd like to browse through my pages on Flickr please do. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/agling4ever/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/agling4ever/</a><br>

<br />Thanks in advance for questions, hope this can start an interesting thread!</p>

<p>Style is to do with the means you use to build your structure. What's not in the Cliff Notes version of Hemingway as compared to the full/original text is Hemingway's "style."</p>

<p>A photography style is a continuous pattern in the way pictures are taken by a certain photographer, that differs from and/or is unique to what others are taking.... </p>

<p>I wouldn't worry too much about getting a style. Whatever that is for you or will be has been done before. In the meanwhile as you improve, shoot interesting light, good content, good composition and attractive pictures that you and others enjoy looking at. Good luck.</p>

<p>The question wasn't about "getting a style." It was about how to define it.</p>

<p>My mentor for a number of years defined style as a combination of technique and vision that results in a consistent "feel" to someone's photos. In the OP's case, I think editing the photos to show ones that reflect that concept would go a long way to determining how much of a style you have.</p>

Thanks for the responses. I kind of moreso mean

the types of words, the different words that can be

used to describe a style. Like, so describe your

style?

 

I'm not worried about getting to a style,I just want

to accurately describe my style, and others.

Pictures show everything, but when telling a friend,

or a potential client like on the phone ot just

chatting next to a person in line at the grocery

store.

<p>In the images you linked to, I'm not seeing any prevailing theme, technique, frame of reference, narrative, point of view, message, or mood. So I'd call your style "exploratory" at this stage. Attempting to graft on a label for it when you're still looking for <em>it</em> itself (never mind what it's called) is premature.<br /><br />Start by thinking about the <em>purpose</em> of your work. What are you looking to communicate, and to whom? Labels only mean something if the person to whom you're speaking already has the same label mapped to the same aesthetic. The more specific you try to get, the more you need the person you're describing it to to already know <em>exactly</em> what you mean. So think of it that way: if <em>you</em> don't already have a personal pool of fitting vocabulary words to pick from, in your head and associated with a look/mood/tone/purpose ... then don't expect the person you're writing to, talking to, or selling to to "get it" when you drop a label for a style.<br /><br />Prepare, instead, to <em>describe</em> your work in terms of who it's been serving, and what you find it communicating to its audience.</p>

<p>This is a good question, but most of the answers don't answer the question-- Julie and Jeff excepted, I guess.</p>

<p>It's a tough problem to tangle with, because it relies on translating the visual experience of a photograph into words, and that will always be an imperfect process. It brings in the idea of what Stieglitz and others called 'equivalents' a long time ago, although if I tried to explain myself I would probably just get a headache.</p>

 

<p>Ling, the more background you have in the study of art, the easier it is to define a style. For instance, if we were looking at the work of an architect and you were told that they had a neo-classical style, if you had any background in architecture you'd be able to guess that the work is influenced by classic Greece and Rome and what the elements are (like distinct identities for each part of the building). If you were told that a painter had an impressionist style, you'd know that they don't focus on making a painted replica of an item but instead looks to capture the feeling or impression of a thing. So if you heard that a specific wedding photographer had a "photojournalist style" to her work, you'd conclude that she tends to tell stories with her wedding photos, shoots candids and likely avoids posed shots. For instance, I'm often told that much of my best work emphasizes DoF--that's my style statement. Style could be defined by it's relation or similarity to an art movement, or to a technique (like DoF or heavily saturated colors) or by the topics/subjects.</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"I kind of moreso mean the types of words, the different words that can be used to describe a style."</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>I think any combination of properly chosen adjectives can pretty much accurately describe any "style" and not just limited to photography. </p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"Pictures show everything, but when telling a friend, or a potential client like on the phone or just chatting next to a person in line at the grocery store."</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Describing a style accurately to a third person requires knowledge of the third person's life experiences - there's no point in saying "in the style of Herb Ritts" if the person doesn't know who Herb Ritts is, or "Mid-Century Modern" to someone from a very foreign cultural background. The fallback is to use adjectives they have felt-significance to. </p>

Matt laur, I hope you didn't click on old images on

the right. The images at center of page are ones

that I like out of all my images. if wanna see all,

just click next few pages, about 43 images I think.

I think the color, depth of field, in them is what I

like. I just have to shoot more, ESP people.

I like anything rural, agriculture related. Would

you call that a,style? Maybe I havent gotten there

yet, but all the images I picked seem to have a

common thing... Out in the country, rural setting.

Or farm......

 

 

Do for wedding Photography, style is based moreso on how the photos are taken? & that determines what the images are like.

 

And style then also has to do with the type of ppl in the images, and who you cater to. ?

Style is like personality. It emerges from within you as you develop and grow. You may be able to influence its development, but hou

cannot control it completely.

 

It might not be easy for you to see your own style, so if people keep using the same words to describe it, those words are probably a

good summary. Then again, your style may be emerging and developing.

 

If you don't like what people say about your style, then you can invest effort over time to modifying it to some degree. If you thought your

work was gritty and people say that it's light and humorous, them either accept that or take measures to point your work in a new

direction. A style change won't happen quickly, so be patient and stick with your commitment to your vision.

<p>Think of how people present themselves in public and try using those words. I see people on the trolley every day that I just KNOW are musicians. Sure enough they get off at Berklee College of Music! People want to have a <em>look </em>and some really work at it. "Urban hipsters", the saying goes, have a studied indifference to style. :-)<br /> You were on the right track with words like <em>grunge</em>. Try <em>edgy, tailored, retro</em> 80's... . How about the language of music -- <em>techno, ambient</em>, etc.? You can describe the principle subjects used: <em>urban detail</em> or <em>abstract landscape</em>. Mood and formal qualities are the most direct descriptive languages -- harsh, minimalist, stark, rhythmic, dreamy, exotic…</p>

<p>The fact that the words Alan Zinn quoted are so indefinitive is defacto evidence that style cannot be defined or described. By indefinitive I mean understanding of their meaning is very be very inconsistent and restrictive.<br>

Going off-topic (subject to moderators censure):<br>

In theory, I've always struggled with the concept of a photographer having a style. It seems to me that the subject (and desired message) should determine the style, and a photographer's attempt to impose a personal style is a egocentic distraction that is bound to detract from what could be the best for that photo. <br>

In practice, I do often find a consistency in the work/look of a photgrapher I like, tho that consistency is subject to disintegration, and I can continue to enjoy their work in a different style.<br>

That last part reinforces my first concept that style is restrictive, distractive dimunition of, rather than enhancement to a photographer, rejection of style is a an essential keystone to excellence, and a measure of a 'good' photographer is his/her mastery of so many techniques that there is no personal style.<br>

Clue me in to my fallacy in this paradox?</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"That last part reinforces my first concept that style is restrictive, distractive dimunition of, rather than enhancement to a photographer"</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Wayne, I think style is inescapable as a consequence of personal expression; it applies everywhere in life to every individual from what they wear to how they communicate. </p>

<p>I argue that a photographer imposes a style by the mere framing of a photo, and far from restrictive, this personal expression is infinitely expansive. <br>

</p>

<blockquote>

<p>My question is, how does one define or describe a photography style?<br /> ...<br /> I'm trying to figure out my style--to describe it.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I know I'm not answering the question -- instead, I'll ask another. Why do you want to define or describe your style? Echoing <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=705858">Dave Sims</a> above, it's not obvious to me that a style can or should be describable in words.</p>

I am constructing my website and wanted to put a brief sentence on my style, but I don't think I really have one main one. I thought it

had to do more with color, but it is everything!

Also I wanted to learn more about style, because I hear a lot of people say they like so and so style of Photography, etc. I also have come

across photographers and in my mind I want to try to describe what their work is like.

 

I think people who say they like a style, im going to ask them, well what kind of style is it? What do u mean?

People can see whether someone has a style or not - and if so, if it's one of your own or an emulation of someone else's - and what it would be.<br>If you want to say something about your photography, say something about why you do what you do, what it is that attracts you in your subject.

>>> I am constructing my website and wanted to put a brief sentence on my style, <<<

 

Just post the photos that you like the best. Let you photos spek for themselves, and let other people figure out what your style is.

 

In my opinion, photographers and other artists who write about their style come across as sophomoric and pretentious. Just present your

best work, maybe share a few comments about how and where some of your favorite photos were made, and leave the mumbo jumbo to

people who feel the need to justify their lackluster portfolios.

I would not add comments about how your photos were made.

I wasn't gonna add comments on how the photos were made. I meant just a general overall statement. Ok thanks for all

your comments everyone.