Style and taste

Recently, I've been thinking alot about style.  As in, one's style of photography, one's style of interacting with people, one's own personal style.

Style and taste are not mutually inclusive.  They are tangents of each other.  You may have bad taste, but a style specific to you. 

Anyhow, I suppose I'm in the process of defining my own personal photographic style.  It's not about being pretentious, or condascending.  It's about a definition, and understanding that yes, there is such a thing as bad photography.

I can't say exactly what my style is, yet. 

But here's the thing. 

If you like the photos you can get at the mall, my style is not for you.

If you think a muslin backdrop is pretty, my style is not for you.

If you want photos of your kids holding props and wearing funny hats while someone shakes a rattle, my style is definitely not for you.


So, with that, I will try to explain what I am about. 

I want to be a witness.

I don't want to be the cause of an action in a photograph, I want to be a testament to that action's existence.

It's a struggle, to be sure, because it's so easy to want to control everything and force a photo.  But that's not what I feel makes a good photo. Definitely not what makes a great photo. 

So, if my style makes sense to you, then cool.  Let's go.

If not, have fun at the mall.  Pick me up a Cinnabon.