style vs. trend

What is style? It's a very important thing when it comes to photography, especially portraits. Sometimes I think people confuse style with trend. A friend and I were talking about just that early this morning. Or at least I was talking that at her. When I read about photography and the business of getting and shooting editorial work I get a little frustrated. I thumb through magazines, look online and read about photography constantly. There is a lot that I don't understand about the professional world of photography. At times is seems that the magazine editorial world is jumping on trends as much as the fashion world. It seems to me the industry has become over-sensationalized.


I think the industry has sacrificed a very important aspect of portrait photography. A good portait for me is an accurate representation of my interaction with the sitter. When I am photographing someone I try my best to find a connection with that person. When I do a good job of that then it shows in my photos. That is what I think the industry has sacrificed. In it's place they have put slick lighting and photoshop techniques. There is a weird detachment trend in photography these days. Where the sitter seems detached from the photographer and in turn the viewer of the photograph is detached. But all the shiny beautiful light draws everyone back in.

I guess this rant is born out of the frustration that I don't have that super identifiable style. I resist trends, or at least I try to. I want honest photos. Arnold Newman said, "We do not take pictures with our cameras, but our hearts and minds". Arnold Newman, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Yousuf Karsh. Their work is amazing. That is what inspires me. One day I hope to have a body work like them.

People have said that they like my photos because they feel like they know the sitter in the image. I think that comes through in a good portrait. So maybe in this "detached" era of portait photography that will be what sets me apart. Maybe that's my style...