I get asked a lot of great questions on the Cultural Workshops I hold in Mexico. One pops up a lot: How do you develop your own signature photography style?
I really admire how some photographers are so consistent with their style. Joey L’s use of desaturated color grading jumps to mind. If done properly, sticking to a post-production style can make work identifiably yours. And that’s powerful.
BUT WILL THIS LIMIT HOW I PROGRESS AS AN ARTIST?
You are after all willingly constraining yourself to this style, which won’t be applicable to every subject you want to shoot. I’ve actually been pondering this for years. I have chosen a subject matter, as opposed to a technique, to try and make my work recognizable. And sure enough, I sometimes have to opt out of commercial shoots because they simply don’t fit with the ‘brand’ (sorry, saying that makes me cringe!) I am building. It’s certainly an interesting creative dilemma.
CHOOSING A SIGNATURE PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE
If you decide you are OK with this compromise, below are some steps you can take to make a style, ‘your’ style.
Consistent use of narrow depth of field is a big aspect of many artists work.
Exposure. Opting for high key or low key.
Colour Grading. This has become very popular on IG feeds because it binds photos together that may otherwise not work as a series.
Subject Matter. This is what I do. Become known for taking photos of a specific subject matter.
Visual Style. Be a minimalist for example. Make empty space your style.
I’VE PICKED ONE. NOW WHAT?
Now for the fun part!
Picasso said, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal”. Looking at the work of photographers (or painters or filmmakers) you admire is a great place to start. I’m always recreating scenes from movies I love (geek alert!). To do this I have to find ‘what’ it is I like in a scene: the light, the color, the expressions etc. Thinking like this has made me much better at ‘seeing’ light. The more you practice, the more you will find you pick and choose what you like and use that in your own work.
Don’t believe me? Here is a photo I did a few months ago. It’s taken from a scene (inset) from NBC’s ‘This Is Us‘.
How to create your own signature photography style
Photo taken by JP Stones.
Another thing you can do is just experiment on the extremes. Shoot in super high key or in super wacky color grades and see if it gives you anything new and interesting.
Good luck, and share whatever signature photography style you decide you want to pursue!