There is a series of essays by the landscape photographer, Alain Briot, on the Luminous Landscape website, which I thought some of you may be interested in. They are a little (sometimes more than a little) long-winded in places, but I have found them really thought-provoking and have re-read them several times over the years. He breaks the creative process down into four parts, 1) finding inspiration, 2) exercising your creativity, 3) developing your vision, and 4) achieving your personal style. The essays on vision and personal style, in particular, have some interesting insights ….
In case you don’t have time to wade through the whole thing, at the heart of the matter, I guess, is the need to identify the source of your inspiration and work at communicating that through your images. Creativity is the process of expressing that inspiration in a work of art. Vision is what makes your work yours, the ability to consistently view the world in a way that only you can see it … and then your personal style is the way you translate your vision into a coherent body of work.
One thing I took from Briot’s essays is that developing a personal style isn’t just a matter of consciously choosing a particular ‘genre’ but rather a lifelong process of developing and expressing your own unique way of seeing the world.
First some words of warning: the Luminous Landscape is a really ugly website. I don't know why, but for "the web's most comprehensive site devoted to the art of landscape, nature and documentary photography" it sure knows how to look like an amateur blog. And that aside, the index page for Briot's essays is a disorganised mess (though if it drives you too crazy you can always jump on Amazon and buy his book instead). Also, as I say, they are a bit long so make yourself a cup of tea beforehand... :)
Thanks for sharing. And, wow - that IS an ugly website - hard to fathom. I remember being there before and not getting anything from it; it kind of gives me a headache to look at it. :)
@reba especially ironic for an essay on inspiration isn't it? and sheesh, he does go on a bit, but bits and pieces have really stuck with me so there must be something in it. I'd shout anyone a drink who could make it all the way through in one go though ;)
thanks for posting this. I am so new at this and am definitely still trying to "find my style". i could use all kinds of tips. I was kind of like @reba though, it is hard to focus on the actual site.
you owe me a drink dude................. ( no l lied, I didnt get thru it all in one go) but we could do drinks anyways and kubb and drinks too and maybe some drinks.
@katiebrenkert I think he would say that finding your style is a lifelong endeavour, or can be :)
You might find that it's worth a browse to see if anything strikes a chord. For instance, I find that even recognising the difference between creativity and inspiration is useful when you're in a rut. When you find yourself saying "I've hit the wall" or "I need inspiration!" or "I've run out of ideas" or whatever it helps to be aware of what you really mean. Is it inspiration that's lacking, or creative ideas? If the former, then maybe all you need is to find a quiet place and listen to music, or to go for a walk on a busy street and observe people for a while, or browse through a gallery of amazing pictures. If you're inspired to take pictures, but just can't come up with anything new or interesting, then break out of your comfort zone, try something you've never tried before, pick a photographic 'rule' and break it, read up on a technique you've been meaning to try and see if you can replicate it...
Then again, if reading this stuff bores you senseless then just grab your camera and get snapping, whatever works :)
@dieter Aw, I blew it! I went and peeked, just to get a feel of the articles, then I came back and read your 'drink' challenge...too late! :-) Seriously, though, I think it looks very interesting and it certainly struck a chord with me. I do a wide variety of 'crafty stuff' as well as photography and have always felt that I don't have a personal style, I enjoy exploring different things too much. It will be interesting to have a good read and check whether I am still comfortable with that, or whether I feel the need to explore 'my style' a bit more...
Thanks for an interesting link! :-)
Thanks for the link... I'll be reading it for sure. In the meantime I love the initial quote...
Inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness. _Brenda Ueland
Cheers, I hope you find something of interest :) Not sure why, but I felt a bit sheepish posting this - perhaps because it seems a bit self-help-booky and I'm not a fan of self help books! But I read it, and it struck home, and it helped me to make sense of what I've learnt and what I'm trying to achieve. @beautifulthing@jenirainbow@aspada
and I like that quote Amy! very apt :)
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You might find that it's worth a browse to see if anything strikes a chord. For instance, I find that even recognising the difference between creativity and inspiration is useful when you're in a rut. When you find yourself saying "I've hit the wall" or "I need inspiration!" or "I've run out of ideas" or whatever it helps to be aware of what you really mean. Is it inspiration that's lacking, or creative ideas? If the former, then maybe all you need is to find a quiet place and listen to music, or to go for a walk on a busy street and observe people for a while, or browse through a gallery of amazing pictures. If you're inspired to take pictures, but just can't come up with anything new or interesting, then break out of your comfort zone, try something you've never tried before, pick a photographic 'rule' and break it, read up on a technique you've been meaning to try and see if you can replicate it...
Then again, if reading this stuff bores you senseless then just grab your camera and get snapping, whatever works :)
Thanks for an interesting link! :-)
Inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness. _Brenda Ueland
and I like that quote Amy! very apt :)