If you hang around long enough in art circles, you’ll probably hear about the term “artist’s style.”  If you thought about it, all artists have a particular style.  Now, you might wonder about whether or not there’s such a thing as a ‘photographic style?’  Do photographers like me have a style?  That’s what we’re discussing today.

The answer is that photographers do indeed have a style.  There is such a thing as photographic style.  Perhaps your next question is to ask what photographic style is.  That’s next.

What is Photographic Style?

So, photographic style is somewhat ethereal and nebulous.  It’s difficult to define using words.  At time of writing, I looked for dictionary definitions online and all I found were definitions given by other photographers on their own respective websites.  However, photographic style easy to see once you know what to look for.  You know it when you see it.

Style in the realms of photography involves the photographer’s eye and vision, composition, camera technique, and processing.  It may also include elements like choice of print medium such as paper (glossy, luster, matte, rag, etc.), canvas, metal, wood acrylic, etc.  Photographic style is a set of habits and standards which defines your work as a photographer.  As each photographer handles each of these aspects differently, one might argue that a photographer’s style is individual as a fingerprint.

Examples of My Photographic Style

Since we’re discussing photographic style, I’ll use my own as an example of it.  When you see my style, perhaps you will learn how to recognize it with others.  I emphasize certain aspects and elements in my photography while others will choose other points to emphasize in their work.  So, let’s look at some examples.

So, I feel these are good examples of my personal photographic style.  Perhaps you notice a few things in common.  I tend to prefer bolder and more saturated colors in my photography.  Others have noted this to me.  Also, I tend to favor a more representative style of landscape photography.  I live in a red rock area of the world so those red rocks permeate my photography lately but I don’t consider that part of my style.  It’s merely the most easily available subject matter.  Perhaps you might note other stylistic characteristics in my landscape photos.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a photographer’s style is something which you come to recognize visually.  You will find it difficult to describe it in words.  However, you will easily point to it when you see it.  If you look at a photographer’s body of work, or portfolio, then you will see visual patterns which will imprint upon your mind as parts of that photographer’s style.

Now I turn things over to you.  I’ve presented examples.  The rest of my portfolio is open to you here on my website.  What other elements do you see in my photographic style?  Did you see something I missed?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.