by Gavin Seim: Help a friend this season. Camera abuse will effect over 950 million people (probably a lot more) this year alone. It most commonly occurs when a person buys a camera, makes business cards, a website, and decides they should start pressing random buttons, as they pretend they suddenly understand a skill that takes years to master.
We understand, as cameras are really cool. But aside from the suffering the camera must endure. Children, individuals, couples and families, will be subjected to poor lighting, posing, composition, false confidence, bad retouching, and often outright lies, as an abuser pretends to know what he or she is doing. While the abuser may trip over a few good photos. Tears will flow in the end.
Stop Camera Abuse. Help the victims and help the abusers. It’s cool that they love their cameras. Just help them learn to fly before they jump out of the airplane. Send a friend educational books, to real workshops, or to long hours of practice, before unleashing them on the masses. Take the batteries out and even burn the business cards, if it’s bad enough.
Art is subjective. Experience is less so. It’s time to be honest. Friends don’t let friends camera abuse. Spread the word and start change now. History will thank you. And your friends will too.
This message brought to you by Gavin Seim and Pro Photo Show. Note: Please be careful when burning business cards. Fire is also awesome, but can be dangerous. Check local laws.
Something one often hears tossed around in this industry is the word ‘style.’ “It’s my style” or “love your style.” Sometime it can get pretty funny: “My style is, uh, everything.” Now, this is not a bash session. We’re all at different levels, and that’s OK. This is just another post to get us thinking, something to get us all to raise the bar. I think the idea of style bears consideration and refinement. So let’s start where I often start, with the word, itself.
Webster’s Dictionary – Style. 1. a distinctive manner of expression (as in writing or speech) 2. a distinctive manner or custom of behaving or conducting oneself 3. a particular manner or technique by which something is done, created, or performed.
Hunters Bridge - 2009, HDR Portrait.
SO perhaps a photography style is just what you thought it was. But look carefully. “Distinctive, distinctive, particular.” I see photographers (especially new ones) frantically trying to define their style. But they don’t. It may change from week to week and month to month. If you go to their site right now, that high contrast, over saturated look is their style. But really, it’s probably because they know nothing else or saw someone else doing it. Your style is a big part of your brand. But developing it is not quick or easy. It’s a process.
NEXT let’s get one thing out of the way. Just because you do something does not make it your style. The most common “style” I see is “high contrast” or “edgy” or “bold” or “fun”. Now all those things can be a style, but they’re generally non-distinctive and used by people who don’t really know their style. Sometimes these vague styles are used by photographers who are inexperienced and use “art” or “style” as an excuse for their work. (I.e. “The high contrast look is my style” or “The flat light is my style” or “The blown out highlights are part of my style”)
NO. Those are not your style. You just don’t know what you’re doing. The first step in developing your style is to STOP trying to be something you’re not. It takes years and years to become a good craftsman. If you’re a new photographer, stop trying to fake a style that you don’t really have or convince people that that thing you do (because you don’t know any better) is your style. Don’t do it. Using style as an excuse just slows your career because it allows you to make excuses and avoid learning to things properly.
BUT can’t high contrast, blown out, journalistic, be a style? Sure. But often it’s not, because people who are comfortable, experienced, and have really found a style generally know better than to take the cliches and call them a style, because the result tends to appear like a generic copy of everyone else.
SO WHAT makes a style? Sure, it can be somewhat subjective, but let’s go back to the dictionary for the facts. A style is “distinctive.” It’s “particular.” That means it has the ability to stand out on its own. So based on that, if your style looks like 80% of the rest of the world’s photographers, it’s not much of a style. That is, not unless you call your style generic, which does not sound too appealing.
Now, I’m not saying a style can’t be inspired by the work of another photographer. In fact, it’s almost impossible to do something completely new. But there’s inspiration, and there’s outright copying. Most photographers don’t have a style because they have not yet taken enough time to refine their craft and develop that style. This can apply to a newbie as easily as to a 25 year veteran.
A STYLE is not simply taking photos. It takes something more. It requires thought, planning, and skill. But even further, a style is your brand. It can be combined with your personalty, the products you make from your photos, and the way you present them on your website. It does not mean being in a rut or always being the same or applying a particular technique to everything. It’s a process.
WHAT is my style? I’ve been making photos for over 14 years now, and in just the past few, I’ve started feeling I understand my style. It took me that long. I know what I do, and I know how to make it come out nearly every time. I feel I have a style, but I’m still improving on it.
If you were to go to my portrait or wedding site, you might see me describe my work as “A natural cinematic style inspired by the masters and tempered with modern flair.” But the text is merely the beginning. I have an visual in my mind of the kind of image I make, and while every one is different, I have a focus. Also, the way I display my final prints as carefully crafted wall portraits is a very relevant part of my style. It’s taken me about 13 years to pin myself down this much. And I’m still discovering and refining my style.
WHAT does all this this mean? Well, my goal here today is not to say you can’t have a look, or that you can’t describe your work. It’s not to make this style thing abstract and confusing. Maybe you’ve truly found your style, maybe not. But my intent is to get us all thinking. To raise the bar on our style, study, and practice, and become such proficient craftsman that we truly understand our medium and our style. Maybe you’ll be faster than I was, maybe not. But either way, it’s a process. A valuable one.
SO, STYLE is important. But it’s not something you can simply make up. Before you can really define your style, you have to know your craft well enough to understand what you’re doing with it. You have to have worked enough to find that distinctive consistency in your images. Imagine a singer. A singer does not have a style until they learn to sing and perform. It takes time. They have to work it out. Photography is no different.
WHY do most NOT have a style? Because they’ve not refined their craft . It does not mean they’re all bad photographers. But in truth a lot of photography today lacks distinction. Admittedly, it’s hard. Finding your style take more than just doing a wedding every weekend. It takes more than copying the latest trend you see your friends using.
I often see photographers who are really busy with jobs, but it’s all they can do just to keep up and get the jobs out. They’re generic. If you’re paying the bills that way then fair enough. If volume is your business approach, it may work for you. But it’s not usually distinctive. Rushing offers too little time to experiment and define your work. You probably want something more. To define a unique style, you have to take your extra time to study and refine what you’re doing until you draw out something unique about it. Until there’s a pattern. Until it becomes a style, not just the latest fad.
How to Find Your Style. A style is images, personalty, presentation, branding, and more. Really finding it takes enough experience to know what you do and how you make it unique. I think the way to find your style is to stop looking so hard. Stop trying to rush to having it all figured out, and spend more time figuring. Study your craft and be content with the fact that you’re making good images and improving. Forget about your style for a while and learn how to style better. In time, you’ll find your own unique approach. You’ll find your STYLE naturally.
WHAT AM I GETTING AT? Stop having confidence? Stop charging for quality? Heavens, no! I’m not even saying at what point you have a style. I’m just saying slow down and think about it. Take the time to make images just for the joy of it. Explore ideas and techniques, read books, go to workshops. Do that, and your style will blossom, as will the quality of your work. Photography is not a quick journey. It’s a long one. It’s OK to be starting out. Just be honest with yourself. Keep working on your craft and always raise the bar.
It’s time to Raise the Bar. There’s not a lot of “photographers”. There’s just loads of people with Facebook pages who charge for snapshots.
Webster says a Photographer is…
One who practices photography; especially: one who makes a business of taking photographs.
Webster also says that Practice is…
2a : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient <practice the act>.
Webster says that proficient is…
Well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge.
by Gavin Seim: This is not another one of those posts about when you become a pro. Nor is it a post to be mean. The opposite in fact, so read it through if you want the whole concept. I pose this question to get us thinking. Are you really a photographer?
If you want to be an Athlete you train tirelessly. If you want to be a doctor you have to study and then study even more. If you want to be an airline pilot, it takes years. If you want to be a “photographer” it takes all those things as well. Though many seem to ignore that part.
Sometimes I avoid calling myself a photographer these days because the word is so abused. In a few years I think consumers will really start to notice. The digital high will settle and they’ll realize they’re being shammed. Like a doctor, who you find out knows nothing about healing.
I know, we could say “I’m practicing to become proficient” and that makes me a photographer. OK, but that’s not really how it works out there. In other skills, it’s pretty much assumed you’re skilled if you say you’re a…. doctor, lawyer, mechanic, carpenter, baseball player, etc.
In the real world, “practicing to be proficient” also means you’re training. And that doesn’t mean making up your own rules and calling it your style. It means continually exercising your skill to become even more skilled. You don’t just become something because you bought the gear, and you don’t stay proficient without continued practice of your craft.
Now titles don’t make the man (or woman) and there are certainly different skill levels. But I submit that unless you’re reasonably advanced in the art and craft of making photographs, you’re not yet a Photographer. You’re just a snapshooter who’s aspiring. That’s OK, and maybe you even get paid for it at times. But be honest. Be who you are and you’ll learn much faster than faking your way along.
What am I getting at? Chiefly this. The word photographer has been deluded. It seems everybody and his brother (and probably his mother too) gets a camera, makes a crappy website, gets a Facebook page, then calls themselves a photographer and charges people for the snapshots they make which require almost no skill. In so doing they to a disservice to themselves and the client.
I know my headline is a bit bold. I wanted to get your attention. Also my bluntness may offend some because I’m saying something many don’t want to hear. But let me be clear. I’m NOT saying because you’re new you should pack up and go home. But you should understand how much training it takes to be a photographer. The purpose of this post is to make people feel like losers. It’s to look at ourselves and be honest in our assessment. Because if you want to be taken seriously, you need to be a skilled craftsman.
If you hammer in a nail does that make you you “a builder”? If you remove a sliver with a pen knife are you “a surgeon”? If you get a camera are you “a photographer”? I say no. You are not yet a practitioner of the craft that is photography. That takes time. A lot of it, and the standard is higher than ever if you really want to stand out. I even see long time pro’s who are not making the grade. They’re not “practicing” their craft. They’ve become slack, thinking they’re “good enough”.
I’m twenty six and I don’t mean to sound grumpy or bitter. I’m not. I started from nothing and I enjoy helping aspiring photographers. But it seems everyone wants the easy road. No one wants to spend the years of effort it takes to become a craftsman. Maybe I was the same way starting out. But it didn’t work. People think that because they bought a camera and tripped over a few good scenes they’re an artist. Which is why they’re not.
Everyone is making snapshots and even a few good photos. That’s fine, but it’s not rare, it’s not unique and it’s not valued much by society. Millions are made every day and billions will be lost to history as nothing more than trash. You’re friends on Facebook may be supportive and say how great and talented you are. I know that feels good. But I ask again. Do you really know your craft? Are you images following a standard of quality that is far above the snapshooter.
Now if you want to make a living, the business side is a whole different discussion. Photography may be one of the hardest professions to make it in these days and that’s when we come to marketing centric workshops and events like the Wall Portrait Conference. Discussion for another day, but if a paycheck is your goal, along with all this learning you should also be studying business. Become a master at both and you’ll really have something. And if you just want to make photos because you love photography. That’s OK too.
Being a Photographer?
You have to spend years. It’s taken me fourteen & I think I’m a photographer, but I still have a lot to learn.
Go learn. Yes it will cost you real money. Be it a school or weekend workshops. Do it.
Perfection is needed. Because good is everywhere. You need to be better than good.
A photographer is trained. Just like a baseball player, a doctor, a rocket scientist.
The bar has been raised. Now that everyone takes photos, you have to be a master.
So, if after all this you can say you’re a trained expert. If you’re work stands above to the masses and shines. If you understand the mechanics as well as the art of making a great photograph. And if you can prove it. Then I say you are a photographer. If you can’t, then be honest and say you’re aspiring or an apprentice. That’s OK for now. In fact you’ll probably feel a lot better being honest with yourself and you’ll learn faster.
Not to all of us of all skill levels. Get out there and practice. Lets keep learning and raise the bar on quality. Good luck… Gavin.
by Gavin Seim: My family and I have been on the road for about three weeks now as I teach workshops and hunt pictorials. Last fall we spent a month and a half. We love to travel and aside from all my gear, I have a plethora of resources that we rely on to make our travels safer, cheaper and a more enjoyable.
I’ve decided to stat a list of my favorites. Besides the essential Google Maps, I find these to be great tools and use most of them even when I’m not out for a long trip. You’re welcome to add your favs in the comments. I’ll also come back and update this or re-post in in the future as I find new stuff.
If you want to follow my photography travels and see where I’ve been, you can do so on my journal, or get frequent updates on my Facebook page. Lets get started…
Our Shamrock 21ss camped near Bryce Canyon Utah. Spring 2011.
This $6 app is worth every penny and more. It’s paid for itself countless times in saving money camping, time traveling, and preventing headaches. It’s a must have for campers.
It lists pretty much anything a camper or RV’er might want. From truck stops to campgrounds, to wall mar parking lots. It’s not perfect and something it misses things but it’s data base is huge and no matter where you are it will usually give you options.
This is my favorite, but All Stays has various other apps that you may find useful. iExit for example shows what’s coming up and the next exit. Check out their website for their offerings.
This is a cheap way to get location info into your photos. Make sure you camera and phone time is the same. Turn on this app and start recording. When you get home upload the data and login to there website to A. Use their web app to merge dates into your RAW or JPEG files. or B. Download a GPX file and use it with a LR plugin like JF Geoencoding Support.
So as mentioned on the last episode of Pro Photo Show, PPS #76 will be our first ever live call in episode. A photography talk show where we’ll have a panel discussing topics of like normal, but the all of you will be able to tune in live, join the chat room, give feedback and even dial in, ask questions and voice your opinions.
This is all happening on March 24th 2011, at 5PM PST/8PM EST. It’s our first time live and we may be working out a few kinks as we figure out the system, but this should be a blast.
Mark it on your calenders and come join the fun on PPS LIVE. We’ll see you there… Gav
by Gavin Seim: Help a friend this season. Camera abuse will effect over 950 million people (probably a lot more) this year alone. It most commonly occurs when a person buys a camera, makes business cards, a website, and decides they should start pressing random buttons, as they pretend they suddenly understand a skill that takes years to master.
by 
So as mentioned on the last episode of Pro Photo Show, PPS #76 will be our first ever live call in episode. A photography talk show where we’ll have a panel discussing topics of like normal, but the all of you will be able to tune in live, join the chat room, give feedback and even dial in, ask questions and voice your opinions.