Stop the eternal argument of whether to edit the same or differently across sessions. Find your signature style instead
Photo credit: @hipstermum
There are many topics in photography that are debated, and editing/ consistency is one of those things. Mostly, we see the debate played out when a newer photographer posts in groups that their work doesn’t look consistent or that they use the same preset on different photos and the result isn’t the same, what gives? Then, 2 camps will chime in. There are those who will show their 9-grid IG and it’s all similar in colour and texture and say that editing needs tweaking after applying presets. Then, there are those who say they edit based on session and where the wind takes them that day. That they don’t want to be restricted into one rigid style that never has any variation because that’s boring and they want to express themselves. And those who argue cohesion say that clients won’t book if editing is all over the place and they don’t know what to expect.
I don’t think either of these are the right conversation, that there is a big missing piece to account for. What is that?
Your artist’s voice, that leads to your signature style.
I was listening to a podcast on This is Arc with Jonathan Canlas a while back and he stated that those who don't have an artistic voice will have a very hard time making it as a photographer. Because identifying that driver is critical to actually producing the art. That we need reasons beyond photographing for money to hone the spirit behind the imagery, in order for it to stand out and for people to seek it.
In my opinion, a voice and signature go far beyond what we are doing in our editing software. Our voice guides us to look at the world in a certain way, before a camera even makes it to our face. So we have to tune into what we see and why it matters. 10 photographers shooting the same wedding all would do something different in their approach and have different outcomes. Our voice informs our brand and it informs our photographic vision and approach.
Once we know our voice, we can start tuning into the preferences to fulfill the vision. For example, if my voice is about making a bold statement and living life unapologetically, then I will train my eyes to seek that boldness in my work, such as observing and photographing wild moments over the quieter ones, and seek clients who are more bold than quiet in the first place. I will lean towards settings and lenses and compositions that support that boldness, such as using light and angles in creative ways like Two Mann (who are ultimate bold and unapologetic photographers!) I will use editing techniques also that support. So even if frame to frame edits differ due to lighting, colours, or people's personalities, the boldness factor will remain there. That's the consistency and cohesion we want. It’s not about the contract slider being at +20 in every single frame. It’s about preferences and a signature look of higher contrast, even in one frame you have to push to +50 to achieve it because the light was dull in a particular shot. So if someone looks at your body of work they see it and feel it - the bridesmaid dresses in one wedding may be blue and backlit in that set of images, and in another wedding, soft pink and in full sun due to the timing, but your decisions of a strong contrast, saturated hues, deeper depth of field for added sharpness and similar compositions remain a common thread.
Same if your voice is to bring romance and charm to a world that feels devoid of it much of the time. That might translate to dreamy, bokeh-filled, shallow depth of field imagery. Always seeking soft backlight through diffusers. Poses that are gentle and reminiscent of romance novels. Less hands on hips and bodies square to the camera but more of a couple soft and melting into one another. And editing that reduces clarity slightly, that enhaces bokeh, that has matted blacks and an intentional lack of contrast. Some frames may need more or less editing to get there so the sliders or presets are less of the issue than achieving that final look that screams your romantic voice.
How to find your artistic voice
Exploration, awareness and practice can help you find it, or more aptly, reveal it to you. We all have our take on the world and our reasons for why we are attracted by certain things and repelled by others. The voice is there, but we have to tune into ourselves to listen. A few ways to do this:
1) Do a photo walk wherever you want: nature, urban, and look for light, texture, pattern, colour etc. What are you attracted to shoot? Then examine why you are attracted to it - repeating patterns may mean you are more linear and traditional. Abstract may mean you are more free-spirited. Do the same with things you dismiss as photo opportunities and why.
2) Do a vision-boarding exercise. I have one that’s unique and can help you not only with discovery of voice but of marketing misalignments in your business. Find it below:
3) Journalling: We can tap into our creative centre when we journal, because the thoughts that bump around in our head get funneled onto a page, leaving room in our brains to incubate on creative ideas. Try doing the Morning Pages, an exercise conceived by author Julia Cameron.
Your voice contributes greatly to your brand; in identifying ideal clients and defining your business model and approach. Find more information on brand-building here.