Photography is full of tropes and established looks, and that's fine; after all, they've become mainstays at least partially because they're solid, effective styles. Nonetheless, if we never work outside those common styles, we're losing out on a lot of creativity.
Coming to you from Jamie Windsor, this great video essay talks about the issue of falling into tropes and clichés in photography and why it's so important to avoid that. And while Windsor directs his attention toward wedding photography, the discussion is really applicable to just about any genre. As he mentions, photography is a business, and clients have certain expectations and shots they desire to see (something that's particularly prominent in the wedding world), but if that's all you shoot for, you divorce yourself from the humanity of the event a bit in that you're fulfilling formulaic expectations instead of capturing moments. Nonetheless, those two methods of shooting aren't mutually exclusive, and the best photographers are adept at creating memorable images both ways. It's definitely worth keeping in mind what you're trying to capture as a photographer and the purpose of the final images you create; sometimes, moments trump technical perfection and poses.
I love how he distinguishes between technically good shots and interesting photos that you want to look at for a while and then go back and look at them again.
Photography competency is now lost. .
Only if you don't watch soaps - LOL
Just wanted to compliment you on your thoughtful and eloquent video. While I don’t shoot weddings I know very well the feeling I have after a gig when I’ve ‘just mailed it in’ and didn’t find a unique point of view. Sometimes the subject didn’t move me or the light just wasn’t there. What I do know is that there’s no greater exhilaration for me professionally than when I hit that groove and capture images that feel like they’re my own.
Lots of blabla for what any good people photographer needs to be - emphatic, curious, open minded, besides up to speed with the gear they use.
This is a talent that you can train but not with take outs from soaps - rofl.
If you haven't got it there's nothing to train and there is no sorcerers stone to get it.
But thanks for advertising your business.
Excellent video :-)
Yes, photography is about emotions and not "correct" settings or "correct" composition. You are also right that most wedding look the same and that's because it's safe to take those shots. Most brides (and they are what really matters) want specific shots they saw of other weddings. How many times we sat with the bride going through dozens of Pinterest photos that they like and they want exactly the same?
Many times it is not our choice and we just need to give the bride what she wants. That forces us into a box of limited creativity. We all try to do something different, sometimes we succeed and sometime we do not. When I have 20 minutes with the couple and that's all I get from them (happens a lot as we know), I have to give them what they asked for.
The one place we can get more creative and have the time to experiment with different lenses and angles is the reception, the party. Different filters, shutter speed, lens effect and more can be done at the party
If they just stopped with the dumb games and the even dumber garter!...
Wishful thinking :-)
Nice video!
Very thoughtful and applicable to all the visual arts. What seems common in your 'different' examples, be it the Girls video segment, the selfie shot or the tired child (and photographer?) is how the writer/director/photographer taps the visceral energy of the visual/audio dialogues present in the respective scenes.
I like how you connected the examples to every day communication and other works of art. The connection reveals how the dialogue can transcend the mundane and connect to what is genuine and authentic about the work.