YAKOBCHUK OLENA
Find Your Style
T
AKINGINSPIR ATION
fr om,andevenapingthestyle
of , other photographers will
give you a good grounding
in the way in which styles
develop, but in order to
create a look that is uniquely yours,
you will need to indulge in some serious
introspection. Taking a critical look at
your own work can be difficult – these
images are your ‘babies’ and you love
every one of them – but it’s only by being
ruthless that you will grow.
Work on your critical editing
Digital photography carries a double-
edged sword. It’s far cheaper and much
more accessible than film ever was, but
freeof theconstraintsof therollof 36
exposures,we canoftenover-shoot.
It used to take months or even years
to build up a body of work worthy of an
edit for quality reasons, but the process
is much faster now and you will need
to flex your critical muscles earlier, and
often, in your photographic development.
At Practical Photography we look at
photographers’ websites in search of
images for publication, and by far the
easiest to navigate are those where the
artist has trimmed their work down
to an essence of what they represent
visually. This ability to separate the
photographic wheat from the chaff
is vital for pro shooters hoping to be
spotted by potential clients, but it’s also
anexercise
thatwillhelp
any hobbyistto
hone theirown vision,
and intheprocess,builda style.
Critiquing your own work isn’t easy,
but there are some tips and guides to
makes it easier. The best starting point
is to create a portfolio, or even several
distinct portfolios , as we detail below...
BE YOUR OWN
HARSHEST CRITIC
While there’s no need to limit yourself to just a handful of images,theprocess
of creating a portfolio will really help you to see the way inwhichyourstyle
is developing. If you don’t want to be too limited, considermakingmultiple
portfolios on different themes or genres. To get started, choosetento 20
of your favourite images that relate to the goals set out in Step1 of
th is feature. Take a really good look at these images, viewing
th em up close, far away and even upside down (it’s a great
way to check composition). Look for similarities and unique
el ements that catch your eye. It may not be 100% cohesive
yet but you will start to see what makes them ‘yours’.
HOW TO BUILD A PORTFOLIO
EXPERT ADVICE
STEP #3
IT’S ONLY BY
BEING RUTHLESS
THAT YOU WILL
GROW
PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 41
TIP
DON’TMIX
GENRES
It’sfineto be a multi-genre
photographer,but your
portfoliosshouldbe
thematicandlimitedto
onegenreeach.
