Beginner's Guide To Finding Your Own Photography Style

2

These days, it's inevitable to seek inspiration from other photographers, especially if they're just a few taps, swipes and clicks away. Seeing all the images that flood your feed can either inspire you or frustrate you, more so if you're a beginner. If you're just starting to discover your photography style, we compiled some tips that you might find useful.

Credits: devic, ropi, patorayado & refiksancar

Set Up a Mood Board

Collect an inspiration board of photos that you like and see what is common among them. This is not to suggest copying, but just to grasp an idea of your visual preferences. The downside to this is that it could lead to frustration and stunt your creative growth because you might find yourself comparing your work with others'. Remember to use your mood board thoughtfully! If you start feeling discouraged, log out and proceed to our next tip ...

Credits: westen30, ebinetoru, brommi, sirio174 & dominik_unbehagen
"I am inspired by light, by color, music, cinema. Words and people inspire me. I do not have specific idols, but I feel inspired every day by the work of many people, especially when it is genuine and when I can make the person behind me visible, know about what they do." - Delfina Carmona

Be Observant

Inspiration is all around you, so log out of your social media, step out with your camera, and keep an eye on fleeting moments and unique situations. Usually, the mundane things that go unnoticed make interesting subjects.

Credits: cinzi, duffman, -dakota-, canercelikphoto & rudikmz

Be Best Friends With Your Camera

When you're starting out, upgrading to a fancy camera or more advanced equipment is not necessary. Work with what you have and get to know your camera well. Sure, an easy point-and-shoot may have its limitations compared to a manual SLR camera, but it's exciting to get creative with a simple camera. Know its quirks and use it to your advantage!

"Find a camera that you like and make sure it’s working. Shoot what you like and show off your photos." - Herbert C. Morris, aka herbert-4
Credits: shelter1991, pierlu_rmr, patskevich, canercelikphoto, michelangelo & rebeccalee

Try Not to Be Self-Conscious

It might be tempting to deliberately look for situations to emulate the images that inspire you. It's good for practice, but it's more important to take photos of things that catch your eye. When you've accumulated enough photos, study your archive and see if there are any common themes or subjects.

Credits: loasunnudottir, sergiosechi, oliver_merce, barbarabezina, calfaroz & cherrie

Consult a Friend or Mentor

Sometimes, you need fresh eyes to gain a different perspective. Ask a mentor or a friend whose opinion you trust and respect and have them look at your photos. Be open about feedback but at the same time, remember to trust your taste.

Credits: autumnsaulnier, p3chak, damlateoman, alejandrop, robertofiuza, telma & shelter1991

Taking photos shouldn't make you feel restricted, and your growth as a photographer will develop as you take more and more photos. So relax and trust your instinct — the most important tip of all is to be true to yourself and your style will reveal itself eventually!

What is your lomographic or photographic style? Let us know in the comments!

2020-01-01

2 Comments

  1. mitchmeyer
    mitchmeyer ·

    I really appreciate this article. I am new to Lomography but not photography. This is an amazing community and I am grateful to be a part of it. A few things I would like to comment on.

    Mood boards are great and very useful and a great tool for organizing your visions for projects. Recently I came to realize that I have been using my "likes" here on Lomography as a mood board. I scan through the photos and look for what they have in common and and what makes stand out from the others. I have discovered that I like lines and diagonals.

    Point and shoot cameras are wonderful. They free your mind from complexity and allow you to enjoy the moment.

    I don't know what my style is or if I even have one. Can you exist as a photographer without a defining style. I think so. I do. I think.

  2. shhquiet
    shhquiet ·

    @mitchmeyer glad you liked it :)

More Interesting Articles