2 types of photographers, IMO

[FrankS]

This is just an Internet discussion forum and we come here for entertainment and food for thought, so I'm just throwing this out there in this spirit: One way of seeing how different photographers work is whether they present their images as a series to tell a story as a magazine editor would want, or whether they produce images that stand independently on their own. With the former type of photographer, it is the topic that provides a cohesiveness to their work, while with the latter, it is their photographic style that provides the cohesiveness (or not). Myself, I am the latter type where I want each image to stand alone. I know there are others who prefer to create a selection of images on specific projects. I don't think one method is superior to the other, just different. What do you all think?

 

[charjohncarter]

I have only once tried the to 'tell a story' with a series of photos. That was about a month ago when Back Alley had a challenge; five photos with a story. I found it fun but I'm like you; 'the latter.' I like a stand alone image. I just wish I could produce one that I really think is great.

 

[Merkin]

What about the types that use a series as a typography, or the sort who use individual images to tell stories?

 

[farlymac]

I tend to dabble in both forms.

PF

 

[back alley]

i'm a poor photographer...take that any way you like...😉

 

[charjohncarter]

i'm a poor photographer...take that any way you like...😉

I read a study once that came to the conclusion, and being an ex-employer, I agree with and that is: the most competent are the most critical of their work, and the most incompetent always think their work is wonderful.

 

[28mm]

I would agree that these are two methods of working, but would be hesitant to split this into a binary of two types of photographers.

Me, personally, I have a natural tendency to get that one shot that supposedly captures it all (and usually fall short because of including too much in and creating an incohesive image). I admire the photographers who present a story with 5-6 photographs that tell the different angles and the details--and i strive to learn from them.

 

[f6andBthere]

I definitely see more skill in the style of photographers like Chris Crawford who tell us a story with their images. Stand alone images don't do a lot for me because as they say "even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." Who's to say that any good stand alone image isn't a result of the spray and pray method and astute editing?

 

[FrankS]

28mm, I agree that I should have written the title as "2 ways of working" rather than "2 types of photographers".

 

[pvdhaar]

Maybe it's because the 'single image tells all' approach is my own default style; my personal preference is for an image that forms the story all by itself. A sequence of images tends to confine the viewer to one single interpretation, while a single image invites one to wonder about what the whole story is.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Surely good photographers combine the two: telling a story, in their own style. Think Salgado.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Livesteamer]

Very hard to generalize. I mostly use a knob wind Leica so don't get many sequences. We are all so different. I am a lucky amateur who has some nice old cameras to use on family and friends. I think I am much more of a craftsman than an artist with a touch of gearhead thrown in. Joe

 

[Damaso]

I think to be a good longform photographer you must also make outstanding images that stand on their own. There are great single image photographers whose work doesn't translate as well in a series of images.

 

[Sparrow]

Two sorts eh? ... those who think there are two sorts of photographers, and those who don't?

 

[FrankS]

Stewart, master of the meta-post. 🙂

 

[Sparrow]

Stewart, master of the meta-post. 🙂

... the head just works that way, sorry 🙂

 

[RedLion]

There are 10 types of photographers in this world.
Those who read binary, and those who don't!

(binary being synonymous with digital)

Joe

 

[2WK]

I think that in capturing a series to tell a story, one might get lucky enough to land one image that can stand alone.

 

[v_roma]

Some, I think, try to take photos that stand on their own and then will also go back and look through their work to find a theme.

 

[TXForester]

... the most competent are the most critical of their work...

I must be more competent than I thought. 😀

I agree with the opening post, but think there is a hybrid photographer who shoots a series to tell a story, but most, if not all, of the photos can stand alone.

I'm struggling to make each photo stand alone. When I can do that, then any series I may shoot in the future would probably be stronger than what I could do now.