A recent conversation on Facebook made me evaluate the difference between styles of photography. There is no doubt that many people appreciate a pretty landscape, a beautiful flower or a colourful sunrise.
However, there also a great many photographers who produce wonderful photography of not so pretty scenes. One of the most powerful photographs that I have viewed lately was a blind man who was begging in a market! It has stayed with me since because it was an excellent piece on many levels although I am not sure that I would want it on my wall. For me, it would be far too disturbing to see it every day.
I can also appreciate the trend towards rustic, sepia and monochrome. It takes a good photographer to portray a piece of barbed wire as interesting but I have seen it done and it worked for me as a viewer.
I think that just like art, there are some subjects that look better in certain circumstances. For example, the picturesque tends to look best in our somewhat traditional home but on the walls of ultra modern public buildings, something a little more futuristic makes more of an impact.
Over time, I am recognising that just like art the man (or woman) with the camera also develops a style. Both Andy and I enjoy our cameras and frequently visit the same places. You would think that we would also take similar images but, in fact it is a rare occasion that we end up with the same thing. Even the way we deal with the same subjects results in some quite marked differences!
There is also the issue of fashions that come and go. For instance, there is popular thinking at the moment for water to be misty, using a slow shutter speed to portray running water and the sea slowing the water down to create the effect. Personally, I sometimes find this a bit unreal and can say that I delight in a faster shot showing water droplets in crystal clarity.
This also leads me on to another recent advancement in the use of HDR? Many people dislike this effect as it can look very surreal. There are some that decry its overuse and the strong ensuing image and yet, in contrast to my traditional viewpoint on water, I find myself quite enjoying some of these simply because they are so striking.
Please feel free to express your views….:)
Purely Photography 