down with normalcy!

[aka eve adams]

I used to take really good, edgy creative portraits, but still had a

lot to learn technically. I have spent the past 2 years trying to

master technique,, my rationing. learn how to do the techniques, and

then use them to break rules the way i want. in the process of

trying to learn from others techniCAL skills, my photos have become

boring!!!! and unsatisfying. just a bunch of practice shots with no

umph... who else has gotten in a rut, and what suggestions do any of

you have for lighting up the fires of creativity again?!!! DOWN

WITH BORING PHOTOS! DOWN WITH COOKIE CUTTER PHOTOS... BLAH.

[anner]

LOL!! You crack me up! :-)<br>

<br>

You know, every time I think of some new and creative shot, I see someone else who has

done it shortly after I do it and I no longer feel new and creative. :-) Like the Barenaked

Ladies sang, "It's all been done, woo hoo hoooo, it's all been dooooooone before." I'm all

about action shots now and in some of my engagement sessions, I feel more like a film

director than a photographer.... "OK, get ready, 3, 2, 1, ACTION!"<br>

<br>

And we're blowing milkweed...<br>

<img src="http://static.flickr.com/30/66307939_941d419d26_o.jpg"

width="400"><br><br>

And we're throwing leaves...<br>

<img src="http://static.flickr.com/35/66307941_25ccbc1608_o.jpg"

width="300"><br><br>

And we're racing cars...<br>

<img src="http://static.flickr.com/31/57226504_4a333a4108_o.jpg"><br><br>

Really, all I want to do is have fun....."Oh girls just wanna have fun!"

[think27]

Just a heads up that this will have to be moved to the People Forum as it isn't Wedding Photography...

[ben conover]

I read a daft book called 'On being normal and other disorders.'

The title made me laugh, then think. I ended up giving the book to a German psychiatrist whose attractive wife was a pro photographer.

 

I think it depends what you call 'normal'. That can be an interesting subject, and often makes a photo interesting too. Personally I need both normality and madness, in varying degrees. I think being isolated in a remote locaton will not help, so I'd sugguest getting our there with people who are challenging to be with and to photograph.

 

Having said all that, I am a beginner and I like learning from you people. Cheers.

[tom_musselman]

Eve, I believe every good artist goes through a period where they strive to imitate someone else's work, or a category or work. I feel it is an important learning period. I think I read this in a book, but it certainly seems to hold. At some point the artist diverges from the studied technique, and develops their own style.

 

I know this applies to me whenever I go into a new area of photography. Before I can be myself, I spend time learning how to do it the "accepted" way.

 

Congratulations, you are about to develop your own fantastic style!

[robert x]

Hey Eve -

what type of camera do you use ? What kind of lens do you use (mm) ?

how about trying out some cheap old thing off ebay for a week or two. If you use 50mm then switch to 28mm maybe. Maybe you are thinking too much about the pics or maybe you are not thinking enough. If you are now technically competent you should be able to switch off your mind and concentrate on the image. If that is not the problem maybe you should be strict with yourself and don't let your self press the shutter unless you are sure it's going to be good. I have to often force myself to stop taking pictures that I know are going to be awful and dull or derivative or cliche.

 

Like AA, admitting you have a problem is your first step.......

[mydarkroom]

The cutting edge portraits dont have standard technical skills. Thats what makes them cutting edge. Like mentioned above go wide or longer with a lens try no tradional lighting set up and locations. Its great that you are learning technical skill because someone will most likly want a portrait that looks like someone elses work and you will know how to creat those effects.

[kim long- cincinnati, ohio]

"I think a preoccupation with originality of form is more or less a fruitless thing. A truly original person with a truly original mind will not be able to function in the old form, and will simply do something different." - Stanley Kubrick

 

I really love this quote. I think it's resonant to this discussion; however, in portrait photography I think there is only so much true originality you can reasonably aspire to achieve. Just because something has been done before (and as has been said, just about everything has been done before by someone, somewhere) doesn't mean there's no market for it. Nothing wrong with raising the bar for yourself personally and/or artistically. I'm all for it. Heck, I even market myself as "transcending the cliche"- but I recognize that in photography, 'edgy' and 'cliche' are pretty subjective terms.<div></div>

[corrie sweiger]

I totally agree, Kim. You think you have something somewhat original, but then...ha, everyone else has the same sorta shot. Oh well...<div></div>

[david_m]

<image src="http://www.geocities.com/beautyphotos/couples/denstb12.jpg"></image>

[rich_ullsmith1]

Good stuff, Dave. Play with that crop, maybe frame with a little tilt, and let's

see it again!

[steve_hovland]

Try this

[steve_hovland]

or this...

[steve_hovland]

big stretch