a great many questions

 

My interview with Ally Godfrey got me thinking. What is my true passion photographically speaking? What is my style? What direction should I really focus on? And then there’s the Name Your Dream Assignment. What, if I could hand pick my jobs? What if I called the shots? What, if there were no boundaries at all, would I choose to do with my photography? All excellent questions of which I don’t have answers for and truthfully am not sure I have really asked myself until recently.

Quite often I see other photographers and I notice a certain quality, a common thread through their work. Themes they shoot, perspectives they hold, processing they use that whispers their name, their signature. It’s much harder to look at ones own work with the same objective and even complimentary eye. It stands to reason then to ask for help in building and paring down a photography portfolio. Getting other opinions and thoughts can only help us as we flesh out our work and make sense of it in a ‘big picture’ kind of way. To gather our work together so that we may recognize a group of images that reflects who we are as artists; as photographers. I think the exercise just might help us answer some of these questions. And what about talking about it? Sharing our work and our thoughts with others and opening ourselves up to feedback. I believe there is power in stating our intentions. On sharing them with an ear willing to listen and a heart willing to encourage and nurture us even challenge us.

Whether we are just embarking on our creative journey as photographers or if we are in the midst of some sort of rebirth or reinvention makes no difference. What is important is that we are asking these questions of ourselves and are committed to finding the answers.

I can’t help but feel safe here, with all of you, to wear my heart on my sleeve; to stand exposed and questioning. I hope that if nothing else we can be the sounding board for one another as we shoot and strive and search for who we are and where were are headed on this amazing journey.

Share a photo that speaks of who you are or maybe what questions you asking these days. A visual symbol, style or showing of yourself, as you are. There is a great power in numbers. We are all in this together and knowing that, I hope you feel as encouraged as I do.

Comments

[Marcie]

Stunning image...Tracey. Love the bokeh and the monochromatic color scheme.
Good questions you're asking...and ones that I often ask of myself. And then sometimes I wonder if we need a 'signature' style..or if we can just go on doing what we love?
Here's one of mine that I think is 'typical'..but not necessarily 'defining'??
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=752

[JeanaMarie]

I think this one - or maybe it's just where I feel I'm at for the moment. wanting an adventure, but feeling just a little bit dry, or burnt out - but still looking for the beauty in it all.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/3349058912/

[kosenrufu mama]

here what I am, I'm my life, my family, my everyday life...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/03/tutto-in-due-gioni.html
and here what I feel... pure joy...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3281707627/

[Vanessa]

me? i stand in a corner, my body language all restrained, eyes flitting right to left, seeking, grin emerging, finding things, losing myself.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3445451023/

[sebrina]

I think this picture describes the direction I feel my photography is taking
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunmamma/3449122051/

[Puna]

Tracey, I think I recognize your style but recognizing my own? That's a different matter.

What's my style? Wow, I didn't even know what kind of clothes I like to wear until I was 40. I searched my latest inventory of photos, I found a lot of florals and of nature. Perhaps I'm leaning toward close shots of saturated color...I don't know. But I certainly found a lot of examples of it.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/have-a-pretty-friday/
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/best-shot-monday/
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/yes-count-me-in/

[Mrs. E]

My signature used to be photos of my girls. (I still love to photograph people.) Lately, I have been trying some new subjects--not always with a lot of success. I come on your site and am in awe of the photos that I see. I'm not sure I have a photo style yet, but I'm working on it.

http://erickfam.blogspot.com/2009/04/keep-your-face-to-sunshine-and-shadow.html

[Missy K]

This image seems to capture where my mind and heart are right now-- reminding myself constantly to stop and appreciate the ordinary in the right now, not to rush on too fast to summer, to the next holiday, to the next thing-- to be home in this present moment:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyday-graces/3448067321/

[Jean M Fogle]

For me, each day is a chance to try something different. A new beginning is a great gift.
Each sunrise is an opportunity to begin anew.
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com

[littlepurplecow (Stephanie Roberts)]

I hear you. It's often a struggle for me to focus when I'm visually fascinated by most anything.

I just signed up to participate in my local ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) chapter's emerging photographer portfolio review. I'll pick 20 images and share them with professional photographers with 20 years+ experience to get feedback, advice, etc. in my focus areas (editorial and fine art). Encourage you sisters to consider joining ASMP - great resources, seminars, contacts and opportunities like this.

http://www.asmp.org/

[camerashymomma]

your images, tracey, have your signature. i recognize them immediately in a sense of peace. there's just something so kind. so visually pleasing about your photos. dare i say, they're easy on the eyes?! i love art that draws you in like that, in a soft and gentle, kindly leading you by the elbow way. your photos help me breathe deeply if that makes sense.

these days i feel that i am more in your face. bam. look at this! bah! it's bright, shield your eyes! it's more like the lungs forcing air out quickly than a zenlike intake. i'm not sure what it is, but something in me is trying to get out. and it feels good.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3440789300/

and this forum? it's just what you mentioned. i feel safe here. and so often i find myself typing up these enormous comments and hitting send before i even think twice. you all will not judge. you all are just like me. this is the conversation i want to have with many. this is the place for me to do it.

"I can’t help but feel safe here, with all of you, to wear my heart on my sleeve; to stand exposed and questioning. I hope that if nothing else we can be the sounding board for one another as we shoot and strive and search for who we are and where were are headed on this amazing journey."

[Alicia]

Tracey, your interview with Ally also go me thinking.... I'm trying to figure out what I am doing that looks good, that works... Sometimes I feel like processing my pictures to look artistic. Sometimes I want to be street photographer and capture a moment how it appears. Sometimes I love the vintage look and feel. Other times I am just inspired by a photo from another amazing photographer. Here's where I asked my questions. http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/04/processing-coney-island-cyclone.html

And talking about processing... I'm excited about these pictures. http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-of-my-favorite-things-to-do.html
I feel like I'm making a breakthrough in my photographs. Thanks for the CONTINUED inspiration Shutter Sisters!

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I really think that I do best when I get up close and personal......

http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/2009/04/jewelry-with-meaning.html

[shelli - mama of letters]

You ask good questions. I really have no idea what my style is. Mostly I can only shoot my son and around my yard because as a stay-at-home mama, I don't get out much! But that's not really what I want to do forever. It would be wonderful for someone to look at all my work and tell me what my style is, and perhaps tell me what I'm doing right/what I'm doing wrong.

Recently I made a project for myself at a historic site, and this is one of my favorite photos from that:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Site/The_Focal_Point/Entries/2009/3/17_Jug.html

[s]

Right now I think this photo symbolizes me. A balancing act...of emotions, thoughts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandis_art/2942238442/

[Debi]

I keep fighting it, keep thinking I need to take "prettier" images more often, but I find that when at my most introspective, when staying within myself, feeling the silence, absorbing where I am at any particular moment, I am drawn to the secrets hidden in plain sight, the stories whispering themselves in my ear. A couple of examples:

http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2009/04/seeing-story-staying-in-art-mode.html
http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2008/09/fair-comes-to-town-magic-all.html

[spread your wings]

i tend to get up close and personal. with a camera in hand i "notice" things more intently.
for example: the texture of the bark, the ripple of the leaves, the painterly colors in the background when the lens is focused correctly, etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3332129158/in/set-72157613443592199/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3390389327/in/set-72157615246745262/

[kath]

I don't have a style, yet, I don't think. Lately I'm drawn to edgy industrial looks in my photos, or close up chipped and worn like the photos in my post today. I must have taken twenty photos of one chair but I tried to do it thoughtfully and actually changed some of the settings on the camera to see what would happen. I posted about it today. One step at a time, one chapter in a book at a time, one course at a time and one photograph at a time. It all adds up and I'm working on my patience too!

http://www.soeursdujour.com/2009/04/enough-is-enough-.html

[GayleV]

I have always loved photographing people--and still do. But lately I have found joy in photographing the beautiful bits of nature around me. Just one recent shot.
http://momandcamera.blogspot.com/2009/04/102-yeah.html

[Becky]

Wow, what a rather deep question. My style? Most times I feel like I am still all over the place. However, I just spent the last hour going through my blog, letting the entries as a whole speak to me. There is experimentation, there is a jumble of styles, there are certainly images I like much more than others. This wedding though, this final shoot in a crazy season, wedding #28. I see my style (at least my wedding style). It shines through in this shoot:

http://blog.bagdanoffphoto.com/?p=72

I'm always telling myself to shoot more for ME, but my best work is always when I shoot for others. I plan to work on that. I need to find my own best work, what makes me happy. Not think about my clients, not think about my portfolio, not think about my stock agency...but simply let myself shoot whatever strikes my fancy.

Thank you for this thought-provoking exercise.

[melody is slurping life]

It is so simple for me to identify the photos of other women who share here...their personal style, subject. Me, I can't even refer to myself as a photographer, let alone discern my style.

People tend to expect photos of my special needs sons, and I do capture their essence. But still, I search for peace in images of late. Or simple real moments. I don't know. But will certainly be thinking.

Thanks for always challenging, supporting and causing me to move forward. I like this image today...

http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2009/04/peace-train.html

or this one...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melsphotophun/3448721223/

[summer]

I love all these questions. I feel like I've been asking them of myself for years and just when I thought I knew what my direction was I went digital and now I feel completely lost again...like I'm learning about photography all over again...
I know I love to tell stories, that I like the look of film even if it is digital and I know I don't like presets. That's about all I know at this point.
I think this is somewhat representative of where I'm going...maybe?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/3435047616/in/photostream/

[Kelly]

wow - we're on the same brainwave lately... my photography business is going on hold again, so i've got a bit more time to think and decide *who* I am as a photographer, i guess... Thank you for sharing, for encouraging, for offering us things to think about!

oh, and the shot I included in this post probably best sums up the way I feel right now, the slightly blurry want-to-be-something-more-than-i-am beautiful-in-the-moment photography...

[jackie]

Great questions! I do notice that certain people have a definite recognizable style to their photos. I on the other hand feel like I bounce all over the place. I feel drawn to so much and so many styles that I often feel overwhelmed or like I'm creating this great big hodge podge of images. But maybe that's okay.......
Here is what I like in this minute, if I came back here in 5 minutes it very likely would be something different.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22609510@N03/3449859731/

[Maegan]

Awesome post! I like how it refers to our ever-changing paths and directions.

I feel like right now I am a bud on a tree, just following my most natural path and waiting to see what I'll become. Like those buds, I cannot change what's inherently inside of me, which inn my case is a creative soul.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbeasoap/3450648854/

Happy Friday!

[Diane Schuller]

a really lovely spring image and what a thought-provoking post Tracey! I was inspired to head straight to my blog and write a post in response!

http://albertaphotography.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/shutter-sisters-asked-the-question/

My style is less obvious than some others mostly because I continue to photograph many subjects in many ways -- that is my style ... I guess I've never like being limited or categorized. I simply love to photograph :)

I'm so grateful for Shutter Sisters.

[KL]

man, I love it here.

My subject matter tends to focus primarily on my two boys, however, when we are out for a walk and have them in stroller, I find there are certain things I'm drawn to. I find nature amongst urban or industrial decay to be very intriguing. The grunge and rust contrasted by pristine and fresh. Even better if the nature is acting upon the man-made...reclaiming. I often pull the boys over and snap away. And sometimes,on the weekends, I'll leave them with my husband and seek out the scenes that a crying baby wouldn't allow to be captured earlier that week. I'm not sure what it is about it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/3450030653/in/set-72157616182237758/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/3343826139/in/set-72157616182237758/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/3447835644/in/set-72157616182237758/

[Elizabeth]

This post inspires! A series of photos speaking to what I value, to my hopes, and longings and loves:

http://mindwhisperingsphotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-i-remember-by-heart.html

Thanks for the opportunity to share!

[Georgia]

what an exquisite photo! and such a great post, Tracey. thank you for being open and as you say—exposed.

these are all very poignant questions and points you raise—all thoughts i think of myself, even as an amateur photographer who is trying to grow. i think i am still trying to find my style—my niche in photography. all i know is i like to take pictures of things that speak to me.

and as a graphic designer, i like to add words to my photos to further that expression—and just practice the art of typography and design and layout in general. i guess that's my style—for now. it has been for a while. i like to think it always will be. it's hard to achieve without the results looking like a cheesy poster, but sometimes i really like the outcome.

here are some examples—some favorites:

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/04/ready-or-not.html

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/04/you-want-to-be-writer-dont-know-how-or.html

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/04/for-p.html

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-was-looking-for-specific-picture-to.html

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/03/civil-war.html

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2008/11/deafness.html

[Georgia]

oh, shoot!
and this one:
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/03/playing.html
:)
sorry.

[Chris]

I love B&W, I really do. Even more, I tend to like the imperfect photo, ones that tell the real story, almost in a photo journalistic way. I did a photo shoot of these two gorgeous children, brother and sister. This photo is a favorite (of mine) because you can see the story right there in the picture. Brother was happy and wanted to cooperate. Sister's body language is quite clear. lol. Having it in B&W keeps you focused without color to distract. Mom ended up loving this too and said it caught her kids perfectly. So what's my style? Hmmm...maybe story telling....in photos....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/3450290837/

[Chris]

Oops! Wrong link. Here's the correct one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/3436404560/

[Crystal]

I am struggling to find my signature right now. I am still learning so much, and absorbing so much information & inspiration from others that I continue to try new things.

I took this photo of a teenager (my cousin), and my heart skipped. This is a look a love. I'd love for all my images to come out like this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krstlchik/3035691763/in/set-72157609479506028/

[shan]

I tend to explore things I question or don't fully understand and things that make me feel awe. I love finding something grand, macro and profound in that which is small and ordinary.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99766742@N00/3448232309/

[jody]

I am finding myself asking these questions. And I love it that SS is helping us look deep within our souls. I need to find out what exact direction to point myself. I do know I love fine art photography/landscape. So maybe thats it! Well for now let me share a photo I took today in Lancaster Pa. I had hubby pull over a few times so I could take photo's of the landscape and farms..I love doing this =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3450598853/

[Missy Sue]

....muted tones, blurry and out of focus elements, mystery and visual poetry. This si what i believe my style is heading towards. I've struggled with "direction" alot because my interests are so diverse, but I believe I'm slowly getting there!

http://ibrake4dreams.blogspot.com/2009/04/great-many-questions.html

[Grey Street Girl]

Wow! Beautiful blog and photo. I guess my style is minimal processing with strong composition and color.

This is one of my favs from this spring:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26082234@N08/3293437605/

[Heather]

Great questions!

http://mamamutterings.blogspot.com/2009/04/inspiration.html

[Sara]

What a fantastic set of questions... so thought provoking - and I, like I'm reading so many others, have been asking myself very similar things recenlty! I still am unsure of my style - but I have learned things that DON'T fit my style. Including photographing people and architecture. I love other people's images of those things, I just haven't yet found my appetite for them... At the moment, I am really into LOTS of things! I love vibrant colors and shots of nature... I have been on a trend of capturing reflections, which has been a lot of fun. And I really enjoy black & white and sepia shots. My goal at the moment is to learn how to portray emotions through what I find through the lens. It's a definite work in progress.

http://simplysaradise.blogspot.com/2009/04/dc-cherry-blossoms.html

[mary]

That is such a beautiful image. Tracy! Softness, light, a little mystery -- that seems to be the direction I've been taking recently. Like the traditional advice for writers -- write what you know, I really believe that the best advice for photographers is to shoot what you love.

http://inasoftlight.blogspot.com/2009/04/joy-enough.html

[CheyAnne]

wow, yesterday I spent a lot of wonderful time looking at just SOME of the pictures these awesome people posted in response to this post about creativity. I found some great sites I wouldn't have known about other wise and some incredible photography, which is always such a joy to behold. Thank you all so much for being here and I will come back and check out all these other links. (we definitely need more than 24 hours in a day, don't we sisters?)
peace n abundance
CheyAnne @ http://newmexicomtngirl.com
this is my newest
http://www.redbubble.com/people/nmexicomtngirl/art/2925117-1-my-favorite-colors-of-spring
I don't know if I have a style, but I sure love the light of New Mexico

[Faith]

I think that this is where I am some days: http://www.flickr.com/photos/faither81/3392312344/

And I'm here other days: http://www.flickr.com/photos/faither81/3357763067/

They are both so similar but subtly different. And then there are other days when I shoot all weird angles. :-) I don't think I've really found a style yet.

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