Outdoor Photography How To

If you're a regular Shutterbug reader you know that we constantly preach the value of developing a unique photographic style, and this is true for beginners and advanced shooters alike. In the tutorial below from the Street View YouTube channel, you'll learn how to get started today.

There are two basic reasons why a style all your own is a big advantage: One is that your photos will stand out from the crowd. The other is that, over time, your imagery will become recognizable by others who view your work—and more attention will come your way.

Instructor Rupert Vandervell is a British pro specializing in fine art street photography, but what you'll learn in this episode is equally helpful for just about any images you shoot. He puts it like this: "Developing a personal style can be one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of learning photography. And the feeling that the pictures you make truly represent who you as a person can be very liberating."

Vandervell says this is a goal for all serious creatives, whether they're musicians, writers, artists or filmmakers. "They all strive to create something that represents their way of seeing, thinking or performing." And in this age of media saturation and AI technology, it's essential that photographers do the same.

Admittedly, establishing a personal photo identity can be difficult, but Vandervell explains several methods for getting the job done. And don't worry if you're just getting started, because Vandervell says, "even the most casual shooter out there has something about them that makes the pictures they take unique to them."

If you think about it, everyone has a different way of seeing the world, and that's what makes human beings so fascinating. Or as Vandervell says, "You can give five people a camera and one subject, and you'll get back five different renderings." This is the jumping off point for developing your unique style. 

The suggestions that follow pertain how you view the world and using that perception to advantage. In Vandervell's case, his imagery is known for clean lines, geometric shapes, and a very stark look, because "that's influenced by aspects of my personality." The unique style you create by following his advice will undoubtedly be different, but no less important to your growth as a photographer.

There's much more to see and learn on Vandervell's YouTube Channel, so take a look after watching this lesson.

And be sure to check out a related tutorial we posted recently, explaining another pro secrets to creative composition beyond the rules of thirds.