Steve Gosling photo tutorial: Develop a personal style

16/08/2013 When it comes to photography are you an infant', adolescent' or adult'? Which of these stages best describe your development as a photographer?

The first stage (which I crudely refer to as infant') is defined by a simple interest in the basics what camera should you buy, how does it work, what lenses are available etc. At this stage it's easy to be seduced by the sexy sleek looks of a black bodied beauty or how many features it's got (never mind that we can't understand half of them).

Thankfully most of us quickly progress from this stage to a concern with technique and the picture taking process (you know the sort of thing walking around mumbling to yourself the smaller the number, the larger the aperture'). This adolescent' phase is characterised by concerns with the mechanics of photography getting to grips with the basics of exposure, focusing and composition.

Like the human transition from infancy through adolescence to adulthood these are necessary steps. Understanding equipment and learning how to use it to best effect are important milestones. It's a process you have to go through if you are to mature as a photographer.

But concerns about equipment don't help you take more compelling images. And mastering technique should be merely a stepping stone to turning your vision into a photograph that communicates something of what you saw and felt at the moment of releasing the shutter. Technique for technique sake leads to superficial photography images lacking impact and strength.

We all have a unique perspective on the world that is in part shaped by biology but also by social and environmental factors. Put six photographers in the same place at the same time and they'll produce six different images. That is the beauty of photography - it is a wonderful form of personal expression; a fantastic way to express our individuality.

But to do so you need to become a photographic adult' - to develop a vision and a style of photography that communicates that vision effectively. Photographic maturity is reached when equipment and technique can be melded with a good eye (to see the world photographically), an image responsive brain (to analyse and interpret what the eye sees) and a heart (to enable an emotional response).

There are a number of things that can be done to help this process of maturation.

Photograph what inspires you

Start by photographing what inspires you. Sometimes, as you're struggling with equipment and technique, it can be frustrating and demoralising (as yet another photo excursion results in poorly exposed, out of focus images). To persevere requires commitment and hard work effort that you're more likely to make if you're photographing subjects that interest and motivate you. Furthermore an emotional connection with and a love of what you're photographing will shine through in your images. If you're moved by your subjects then the likelihood of communicating this to the viewer of your work is greatly enhanced. This in turn brings its own reward and can spur you on to even greater efforts.

The problems associated with photographic adolescence are more easily overcome with constant practice. At the simplest level taking many photographs on a regular basis will build familiarity with your gear, allowing your sub-conscious to concentrate on creativity not technique or equipment. Take lots of images (if you're shooting digitally then cost is not a limiting factor) and analyse what works for you (and what doesn't) and why. Not every shot you take will be a masterpiece in fact the harder you try the more likely it is you'll fail. But it's important to learn from your failures they are your best teachers. Successes only confirm that you can do what you thought you could do!

Test your own personal boundaries

Once you start to learn from your mistakes you will embrace failure more positively and become braver in your photographic development as a result. You will be encouraged to test your own personal boundaries and move out of your photographic comfort zone to try something different (e.g. subject matter, approach). Set yourself personal projects and goals to give a focus & purpose to your photography. Be brave and deliberately set out to break some of those rules' you've struggled to master!

It's helpful to get the feedback of others as you begin to experiment and develop. Informally, show work to friends and colleagues (photographers and non-photographers) and encourage them to be honest in their assessment of your work. More formally join your local photographic club, submit work to magazines for critique or seek the opinion of a professional photographer in a workshop setting.

Dont take feedback as personal

Most importantly in this process don't take feedback as being personal. It's difficult I know, because we all invest so much of ourselves in our photography. But if someone doesn't like what you're producing, listen with an open mind to their comments and try to understand why they feel the way they do. You may just learn something that could revolutionalise your photography.

Don't however be tempted to start taking photographs for other people just to win praise. When faced with negative feedback it's all too tempting to become Chameleon like to start producing images that are aimed to fit in with someone else's pre-conception of what makes a good photograph. Do this and, just like the lizard, your photography will disappear into the background.

Develop your own quality standards

However I'm not advocating the blind pursuit of poor photography in the name of being different! By looking at the work of other photographers (visit websites, buy or borrow photographic books by those whose

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