Graduation C&C welcome

[KimC]

Excellent point Mike - thank you.

Perhaps the most important result of feeling comfortable with whatever style you decide upon is that your images will be consistent. When one is developing a body of work, the consistency of style from image to image is appealing to most viewers. Otherwise, they have less confidence in your quality of work when it displays inconsistencies. Note that one can make photos in various genres and of various types of subjects while maintaining a consistent style.

[Manfred M]

+1 to what Mike and Donald have written.

This topic on personal style was one discussion we had with the professor towards the end of the Portfolio Development course I took last year at the local college. This was the final course of the photography program, so the assumption was that the students had been exposed to and had time to practice all the important aspects of photography.

I think the upshot of the discussion had two important points:

1. You'll know you have found your style when you are consistently producing works that have the your "look" and you are happy with them. It's something that will come naturally and cannot be forced or artificially sped up; and

2. Your personal style will continue to evolve over time.

When I look at your work, you have both the technical competencies as well as the compositional and aesthetic ones. I also see your style developing. You do try different approaches , but you do seem to be moving in a direction, rather than aimlessly wandering around. I suspect you are well on the road to developing your style, even though you may not be 100% aware of it.

[IzzieK]

Thank you for the second image. I like the concentration of the dog there. Beautiful animal. Long tongue perhaps from the recent phases she had gone through. I don't know why but I too chuckle at my thoughts that it would have been nice if her master put his tongue out too to match his dog's.

Take it easy...I will look forward your doggie actions shot soon I hope. I love dogs. I wish I can tag along to your shoot and watch you work.

[KimC]

Thank you Manfred - I greatly appreciate your insight on my photography. The first picture I ever posted here (2 years ago) came up in my memories on FB the other day - it was a good remember of my growth. I agree that someone's style can't be forced or rushed. I have also thought about where my passion lies.. at first I thought I preferred to photograph men; however, what I realized is that I tend to be drawn to strength, intensity, and those individuals doing something they have a true passion. I never thought I would have enjoyed fast pitch softball, but it was the intensity of the girls' attitude that captured me.

+1 to what Mike and Donald have written.

This topic on personal style was one discussion we had with the professor towards the end of the Portfolio Development course I took last year at the local college. This was the final course of the photography program, so the assumption was that the students had been exposed to and had time to practice all the important aspects of photography.

I think the upshot of the discussion had two important points:

1. You'll know you have found your style when you are consistently producing works that have the your "look" and you are happy with them. It's something that will come naturally and cannot be forced or artificially sped up; and

2. Your personal style will continue to evolve over time.

When I look at your work, you have both the technical competencies as well as the compositional and aesthetic ones. I also see your style developing. You do try different approaches , but you do seem to be moving in a direction, rather than aimlessly wandering around. I suspect you are well on the road to developing your style, even though you may not be 100% aware of it.