Photographic Style Fads in Pro Shooting

desertscape · 08-01-2015, 05:39 PM

For many years, in the days of film, there was an emphasis on saturation, probably because the films that came before Velvia were not as saturated. With this new tool, photographers went into a new realm. It turned out to be a fad. However today, especially in the magazine world, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and swung so far as to be the next fad. The under saturated, un-polarized look is all the rage now. Skies are white and greens are surreal. Neither of these styles will last but something in between might. Those of us older shooters will have our work rejected by the 30 something crowd as it is considered dated to them because it does not fit the current fad. I would love to see pro shooters come back down to reality and reject both ends of the stylistic spectrum that are fads and join the middle ground; a middle ground that will stand the test of time.

**jatrax** · 08-01-2015, 05:56 PM

Differentiation is the key to getting noticed or remarked. What everyone is doing is normal and blase so to stand out you have to run with the fad, or better yet create your own if you are good enough, fast enough and well known enough. When your image lands on a desk with 500 others what makes it stand out? Not a big fan of washed out, faded, cross processed, aqua looks but if that is what sells?

One nice thing with digital is you can make normal, over-saturated, under-saturated, cross-processed, sepia and B&W versions in a veritable blink of an eye.

**From1980** · 08-02-2015, 01:50 AM

I am definitely hoping the washed out ring-light or similarly lit portrait is a short lived fad. I can see some artistic vision in the variations around in many types of photography but that one has to go.

LensBeginner · 08-02-2015, 01:59 AM

As an amateur photographer, I (we) have the privilege of being able to chose the look we like the most, even on a per-image basis.
I'm not a fan of "grunge" and "selective color effects", but I do use the occasional bleach bypass (from scratch, not a pre-cooked effect) on a picture in a thousand.
I also noticed that the uglier a pic is (out of focus, blurred etc.) the better it gets with grunge effects!

A new way to save that good but technically terrible shot... or to mask your ineptitude and your cellphone's limits in other cases...

Saturation and desaturation both have their places... using only one or the other IMHO is like having a painter's palette full of colors and using only the yellow(s) or the red(s).

j0n4hpk · 08-02-2015, 12:06 PM

For a Pro, it all boils down to what the client (or stock photo agency) is willing to pay for. I personally stick to the FAST approach as much as possible, because you can always apply artifacts to a good image later. And, yes, I keep some less technically perfect images to post-improve them later. But, if a client asks me for some fad, I go with the flow (just because they pay).

desertscape · 08-02-2015, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

is like having a painter's palette full of colors and using only the yellow(s) or the red(s).

Agree totally-- Pro shooters should be given the artistic latitude to capture images the way they feel is best to represent it. Editors all too often follow current trends and don't empower their shooters.

Originally posted by j0n4hpk

But, if a client asks me for some fad, I go with the flow (just because they pay).

Yeah, I have resisted doing that, feeling that after 33 years of shooting, I should know what is best photographically.

Murfy · 08-02-2015, 12:57 PM

I often wonder what my photo teacher in college would say about the new trend. in class he would cringe over 'flat' images. I am no pro, I just enter stuff in competition and I see that style there too. I was taught it was not a style, its an error in printing and needs to be corrected, like dust spots and scratches. but someone must like it because I see it everywhere. it does remind me off the old photos of my youth, so I guess it is a remembering of simpler times. I would hate for my wedding photos to be in that style though.

08-01-2015, 05:39 PM	#1
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	Photographic Style Fads in Pro Shooting For many years, in the days of film, there was an emphasis on saturation, probably because the films that came before Velvia were not as saturated. With this new tool, photographers went into a new realm. It turned out to be a fad. However today, especially in the magazine world, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and swung so far as to be the next fad. The under saturated, un-polarized look is all the rage now. Skies are white and greens are surreal. Neither of these styles will last but something in between might. Those of us older shooters will have our work rejected by the 30 something crowd as it is considered dated to them because it does not fit the current fad. I would love to see pro shooters come back down to reality and reject both ends of the stylistic spectrum that are fads and join the middle ground; a middle ground that will stand the test of time.

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08-01-2015, 05:56 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Differentiation is the key to getting noticed or remarked. What everyone is doing is normal and blase so to stand out you have to run with the fad, or better yet create your own if you are good enough, fast enough and well known enough. When your image lands on a desk with 500 others what makes it stand out? Not a big fan of washed out, faded, cross processed, aqua looks but if that is what sells? One nice thing with digital is you can make normal, over-saturated, under-saturated, cross-processed, sepia and B&W versions in a veritable blink of an eye.

08-02-2015, 01:50 AM	#3
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	I am definitely hoping the washed out ring-light or similarly lit portrait is a short lived fad. I can see some artistic vision in the variations around in many types of photography but that one has to go.

08-02-2015, 01:59 AM	#4
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	As an amateur photographer, I (we) have the privilege of being able to chose the look we like the most, even on a per-image basis. I'm not a fan of "grunge" and "selective color effects", but I do use the occasional bleach bypass (from scratch, not a pre-cooked effect) on a picture in a thousand. I also noticed that the uglier a pic is (out of focus, blurred etc.) the better it gets with grunge effects! A new way to save that good but technically terrible shot... or to mask your ineptitude and your cellphone's limits in other cases... Saturation and desaturation both have their places... using only one or the other IMHO is like having a painter's palette full of colors and using only the yellow(s) or the red(s).

08-02-2015, 12:06 PM	#5
j0n4hpk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	For a Pro, it all boils down to what the client (or stock photo agency) is willing to pay for. I personally stick to the FAST approach as much as possible, because you can always apply artifacts to a good image later. And, yes, I keep some less technically perfect images to post-improve them later. But, if a client asks me for some fad, I go with the flow (just because they pay).

08-02-2015, 12:54 PM	#6
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272 Original Poster	Originally posted by LensBeginner is like having a painter's palette full of colors and using only the yellow(s) or the red(s). Agree totally-- Pro shooters should be given the artistic latitude to capture images the way they feel is best to represent it. Editors all too often follow current trends and don't empower their shooters. Originally posted by j0n4hpk But, if a client asks me for some fad, I go with the flow (just because they pay). Yeah, I have resisted doing that, feeling that after 33 years of shooting, I should know what is best photographically.

08-02-2015, 12:57 PM	#7
Murfy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	I often wonder what my photo teacher in college would say about the new trend. in class he would cringe over 'flat' images. I am no pro, I just enter stuff in competition and I see that style there too. I was taught it was not a style, its an error in printing and needs to be corrected, like dust spots and scratches. but someone must like it because I see it everywhere. it does remind me off the old photos of my youth, so I guess it is a remembering of simpler times. I would hate for my wedding photos to be in that style though.