Mon, May 31st, 2004 by Amanda Gilligan
It can be said that many of our photoblogs fall into categories of types of photoblogs.
We have city/place centred photoblogs like Chicago Uncommon and Mike Golding's Photos From London, portrait filled photoblogs such as 52: A Portrait A Week or more personal photoblogs where the photographer shoots their world around them such as Catriona.net.
Whether they are personal, political, seasonal or travel oriented, I think the style of photoblog is becoming more and more important in an ever-growing community.
We all want people to come to our photoblogs and with the fast rate at which photoblogs are appearing, there almost seems to be a need now to create your own niche.
Obviously your photographs are the most important ingredients but do you think that you have a particular style or fit into a particular category of photoblog?
Photoblogs.org has photoblogs listed by country..it would be interesting to see just how else they can be broken down. In fact, I'd even like to see the ratio of boys to girls, but that is another completely different story all together!
May 31st, 2004 at 3:17 am
Style? I'm not sure if I personally have a style or anything like what I would relate to as "style" as I understand it (such as the excellence in presentation and subject matter in many other photoblogs I have seen out there) ~ I am a random and absurd photoblogger. Relatively new to blogging and photoblogging, my photo blog has evolved like my thought processes, chaotically. I really haven't given any thought to having a certain style, look or subject matter in my photoblog because just about everything fascinates me! I do try and focus and record absurd, bizzare, beautiful yet commonplace and often overlooked subject matter, but if anything else catches my eye and consequently my camera lens, then it's fair game for inclusion in the photoblog. I suppose it is all a matter of taste and individual interest.
:-)>
May 31st, 2004 at 4:26 am
i guess that the things i put on display on my blog are the ones in the intersection of things in my life that i like to photograph and the things that i believe might interest others to see. so, as random as my life may be, as random is my photoblog:)
May 31st, 2004 at 4:51 am
I recently had to submit a "bio blurb" for a show that I contributed to. Part of what I came up with is: My cameras and computers are tools for exposing things that I love or care about, and exploring things that I find interesting.
I am a photojournalist at heart; I shoot because I have to! It is my intention on my blog to share my world with the world. I use photographs to tell stories, share ideas, and give people a glimpse into a world they wouldn't otherwise see. If I happen to persuade people to think that is great.
I think my most important work is the photographs that I took of the same-sex weddings in San Francisco. It's my sincere hope that these photos will help shape opinion by showing that these people are "real human beings" in valid loving relationships, and are not a threat to the "fabric of society".
The challenges me relating to my blog is to make it easy to navigate, easy for users to find content they are looking for, and to make it an effective and attractive presentation of my work.
May 31st, 2004 at 6:11 am
A niche? Perhaps that'll come in time. For now, having only recently started photoblogging, I'm mostly just recording what I see around me on a daily basis. But I do have my own spin - I live in rural Australia, in the middle of thousands of acres of farming land, with a country town nearby.
I don't have the cities, the beaches, the large populations (and associated support infrastructure) to use as subject material, so for now I'll pick a little bit of everything and see if I end up anywhere in particular - or still a generalist.
May 31st, 2004 at 8:08 am
Being new to photography and photoblogging myself Im not oblivous to the fact that I have no style, though a certain style is what I strive for.
I wonder what gives a person a certain style? Is it where you live? Is it your personality type or what you're most interested in? I think a lot of factors come into play. Income, personality, locality, mobility.
If I look at my own photographs as of right now, they seem to be more geared toward my situation and location. Im not able to get to a big city very often so most of my shots are of a rural nature. I don't have a huge social life or a large circle of friends so most of my portraits are of people in my immediate family. The fact that I live in the country explains lots of animal shots. Cows, sheep, dogs, cats.. ect. Some people find these boring. I think you can find beauty no matter what your station in life or where you live. Hopefully someday I can have a style and people will say.."Hey isnt that an eggsquizit photo.. and they will all say.. "Oui, it is." (thats for you myla)
May 31st, 2004 at 10:03 am
The more time I spend taking pictures, the more I find myself focusing on the simple consistencies of life. Dripping faucets, sunrises, sunsets, rain, snow, flowers, summer fairs, morning dew, ice cream, etc. Much of the subject matter for this project focuses on the simple, everyday events that occur in plain sight but are rarely appreciated. Anything that catches my eye is fair game.
May 31st, 2004 at 10:37 am
Photojournalism is my occupation. It is interesting what happens to a person's passion when they get paid to continue their hobby on somebody else's terms. All of a sudden you are photographing things you don't want to see. Photographing when you don't want to. Taking vacations and intentionally not bringing a camera because you need a break.
I started my blog more than two years ago largely as an attempt to keep a photography-related hobby. I wanted to focus on the fun parts of photography. I wanted to showcase photography for photographers more than for newspaper readers.
As a result, a common theme for my blog is that most of the photos were made when I was having fun making photos.
That's how it should be, don't ya think?
May 31st, 2004 at 11:00 am
Interesting question. I am new to photography and even newer to photoblogging and really don't know what kind of photoblogger or photographer I am at this point. Perhaps that will evolve as my photography skills evolve but for now I am trying everything and interesting in taking photos of everything that catches my eye. Photography and the photoblog are learning experiences for me and will hopefully document my growth. I am attempting to take and post a picture a day and while I got off to a rocky start, I seem to back on track with it.
I am interested in looking back years from now at my own documentation to see where I've been and how I have evolved as a photoblogger and as a person. I think that who I am is most likely reflected in the photos I choose to take and as I change and grow and my skills change and grow so to will my photoblog. Likely.
I enjoy visiting other photoblogs of various themes though the theme of a blog matters less to me than the photographs within. I am inspired on a daily basis by a wide variety of photobloggers and their photos both stimulate me visually and inspire me to take better photos.
May 31st, 2004 at 11:00 am
Me: Forlorn object stories and celebrations of beautiful decay.
May 31st, 2004 at 11:09 am
I was thinking about this just the other day. I've been doing the daily photoblog thing for less than a month and I already find myself wanting to center on a niche. Pictures that describe my life play a part, but I'd also like to use photography to share something I feel about my homestate. Texas is full of rich culture, amazing history, and some of the tackiest lawn art in the world. I'd like to strive for a blog that shares the beauty blahblahblah, but also has a sense of humor about its main subject.
May 31st, 2004 at 11:35 am
i use only the photos that inspire a text, whether it be a simple sentence or a little story, anecdote, observation, release. that combination - and it must be personal, too - needs to happen before i post. and the other factor: well, amsterdam, eh?
May 31st, 2004 at 12:56 pm
Wow, Lynn's post persuaded me to look at her blog. I really like this combination of images with words. It's a very whimsical and fun site.
To keep to the topic of this thread, I find that I get a lot more out of blogs that combine photographers' thoughts with their images. It seems so much more personal than an image sans words. I think we can all agree that the best photos need no words. However, I think the best blogs do.
May 31st, 2004 at 3:48 pm
I only take photos of cats.
May 31st, 2004 at 4:50 pm
although i have been taking pictures most of my life, recently i got back into it in a big way. i have been exploring and shooting many things but find myself always coming back to two main themes: architectural details, and black/white. i like bringing something insignificantly small and putting it up on a larger platform for people to see. of course i photograph everything that interests me, but the details are the ones that move me personally. as for color, i am still shy about it in many ways and still secretly prefer black/white. also a good friend of mine says that my photos are a little messy, but in a good way. i have to agree as i don't like my own photos smoothed and polished, i like them a little skewed and textural. i always have and probably always will.
May 31st, 2004 at 6:51 pm
I read this post this morning and haven't really been able to decide whether I have a style or niche, but decided I probably don't have either. I do have a thing about reflections, high contrast images, hyper-saturated colours, and close-up shots of various things, but I don't think this amounts to a style. I guess, as far as Amanda's examples go, that I'm closest to Caitriona than any of the other sites; i.e. I just photograph the world around me, and what I try to convey is something of how I see these things and why they might be worth viewing.
May 31st, 2004 at 6:59 pm
I know what I'm not. I'm not an artist. You'll never see me do a still life...well, almost never. A big advantage of my job is that I get to travel 4-6 times a year. Two of the comments that I hear the most often are "this could be a postcard" or "Wow! I wish I was there". That's more than good enough for me
May 31st, 2004 at 9:28 pm
Mostly i just take photos. Shoot first and ask questions later, although my brain doesn't like that at times... it's too critical and analytical. I don't think you can really pigeonhole my style. I take photos of things that are interesting to me - Let's call it auto-biographical.
May 31st, 2004 at 10:16 pm
Nature and landscape are my thing. Tried shooting people, but here in Detroit area, most are paranoid about having their pictures taken.
When shooting, I look for the color, and content that sparks an emotion in me. Also do a lot of experimenting. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't Been trying birds recently. Still have a ways to go there.
May 31st, 2004 at 11:03 pm
Very interesting subject. It really got me thinking, just what the hell am I doing? I don't have any single style or theme. I always have a camera on me and just shoot for no purpose what so ever. What has been inspiring me lately are things that I can't see. Death, ghosts, graveyards, the otherside. I'd really like to get a ghost on film. I don't really have a purpose with my photography other than a visual diary of what I see. It's easier than writing.
June 1st, 2004 at 12:08 am
If anybody has a spare niche, let me know. I'm looking.
June 1st, 2004 at 4:28 am
This is art! make it art! don't barf about anything. It's great that everyone is looking and creating. Give it some respect. Don't dilute the art with unjustifiable crap. The web has gives everone an outlet. Vision is to be consistently refined and developed; this public space should be given a higher value.
A
June 1st, 2004 at 4:55 am
Ah...art, yes. But by whose criteria do we use for value judgements as to what is "art" compared to what is "unjustifiable crap"?
One man's "unjustifiable crap" may be another man's "art" and vice-versa.
:-)>
June 1st, 2004 at 5:21 am
btw - The link to your site from your post above didn't work for me apatrick. Very interesting site, with some great photography there. Will look at it some more later....
Here is a working link to your site:
http://apocketwatchplum.com/
June 1st, 2004 at 7:39 am
Wow.
I didn't imagine this would initiate such a response.
I think some of you have been talking more about your style as a photographer as opposed to your type of blog. Sorry if I confused some with the way I worded it.
Photography style is completely separate and could also make a cool topic to discuss hehe
I guess I really started thinking about this myself because I looked at my own blog and wondered what the hell it was...
What am I saying with these photographs?
A recent series of pics that I took told a story for me and I have had a lot of response from people about how they were touched by my message. It got me thinking how cool that was that I could do that, however I then started to wonder, "well what the hell are the photographs Im taking of leaves and bits of twine saying??"
I ofcourse realised nothing and started to ponder whether my photoblog should be telling a story, or should just be a place where I stick pretty pictures...
I'm rambling yes and totally off my own topic.
I guess I found that I combine a lot of those types of blogs. I put up travel pics and the city I live in feeatures greatly, but I also emcompass rock music and macro sillyness, along with portraits, so I guess its my world and what is essentially in my head.
Did I come to any conclusions about where I fit in the photoblogging world?
Nope, none of us should be boxed in.
Shoot from your heart and your photoblog will smile on you with sunshine.
June 1st, 2004 at 7:41 am
grrrrr
please excuse the above typos, its late in Sydney Town.
June 1st, 2004 at 9:47 am
wow you make me feel really great amanda. I didnt see a single typo. lol
June 1st, 2004 at 9:53 am
eMcompass...i wanted to go back and edit
sorry =D
its the dorky teacher in me lol
June 1st, 2004 at 11:26 am
I think this is a GREAT thread to open up... I don't know how many people maintain keywords here in their site profiles, but I think it would be great to have a page which just listed all the keywords and linked to the sites. (Of course, it would also help if people contructed categorical indexes on their pages such as I've done at http://www.samueljohnson.com/blog/archives/photoindex.html so as to make it easy for someone who pursued a keyword to find the relevant photos.)
I think I'm probably an urban naturalist. I won't construct what I photograph, so no still lives, but I will compose it, and I do very little in PhotoShop. I shy away from including people. The reason I generally don't include people is that I don't want to obtrude on them.
June 1st, 2004 at 5:09 pm
PHOTOBLOGGING
My brother gave me a very nice birthday present: Canon PowerShot A310 digital camera. Now it is time for some photoblogging, but first I have to fix a computer with USB connection...
I wonder which category my cat blogging photos will fall into? R...
June 1st, 2004 at 10:52 pm
I don't have a style. I just pics pictures that interest me at any given time. Like most people my mood changes from day to day, I think the pics I choose reflect that.
June 2nd, 2004 at 11:02 am
I think that, when looking over my entries from the past three years, it can be said that I find an interest in architecture and surroundings the most.
Initially I intended to tell a linear narrative with my site: this is what I did today, except in a (hopefully) creative manner. That eventually faded away and I started finding things that served as fascinating visual objects. I think it's pretty telling that there are perhaps a dozen pictures (out of over 2000) that actually have people in them. Maybe one is actually posed.
I find that treating buildings as subjects fascinates me, and growing up in a city blessed with amazing architecture, Chicago, certainly helped.
June 2nd, 2004 at 2:21 pm
I try to shoot a daily picture; as far as the theme goes...that depends where I am. I have to admit that many photoblogs -- including mine -- could probably benefit from a tighter edit. I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. There is more to it than just getting a picture up every day. There needs to be an acceptable standard of quality, but only the owner of the blog can be the judge of that.
June 2nd, 2004 at 2:45 pm
I find it difficult to say that I have one particular style. I do become infactuated with a certain camera for awhile and they will inform what I shoot. Tom Coates graphed his blogroll with "From pirate dwarves to ninja elves..."
http://www.plasticbag.org/archives/2004/03/from_pirate_dwarves_to_ninja_elves.shtml
Most of what I photograph could be graphed against something like near / indoors / far / outdoors or near / friends / far / strangers.
http://www.hchamp.com/whatkind.html
I've mapped Justin "I only take photos of cats" into the scenario given his inability to think outside the box.
Then again, I think we could all take a stab at graphing ourself as pirates or ninjas. Arrrrrr!
June 2nd, 2004 at 3:57 pm
Heh... the kitty icon really helps to illustrate the point. Well played.
I wonder what it would take to add similar auto-generated graphs to Photoblogs.org.
June 3rd, 2004 at 5:37 am
someday I hope to think outside the box. until then... kitties.
June 3rd, 2004 at 8:47 am
Great discussion. I've always thought you could divide photobloggers into two grossly overgeneralized groups: the ones who document the world as they encounter it (street photographers for example), and those who shoot something to create a little piece of artwork, and I think of David Nightingale's http://www.chromasia.com as the quintessential example.
But of course all of us are a bit each type. I think of myself as a street photographer, capturing NYC semi-objectively as I see it in daily life http://lin.kz/?f99if but also sometimes discovering the more abstract color and design of the city http://lin.kz/?uuhvw . It's not exactly a radical concept. It could describe what most of us do. It's certainly wonderful to see how other photographers achieve those same objectives.
Have I rambled off the topic of style
June 3rd, 2004 at 10:11 am
i'm the kind of photoblogger that has a photoblog to stay motivated to shoot. i shoot film now, so it's a little more difficult to keep the site updated with quality, but you know...
as far as style, i hate to talk about it, but i try to take 'straight shots' that are possibly just slightly 'off' in one way or another.
June 6th, 2004 at 12:56 pm
My Photoblog just seems to go its own merry way no matter what I decide. Living on the southern frontier of Mexico has turned it into a travel piece and still working with a cheap Microtek flatbed scanner isnt helping. But it is my first computer only since last Oct so....Also I am living a slow life because a heart attack cut my career short but the computer opens up a way back into the world but with less energy for shooting. What kind of Blogger? Old but fascinated with digital worlds. New but a little staid. Visual but the iBlog makes me write which I didnt do when I was an industrial freelancer - not since the first days on newspapers. Just wish I too had grown up in this world of digital posts, Blogs and maybe digital cameras (not yet; still Nikon F3,FM2's, FM3A's, the Sinar gathering dust).
Sadly, cannot join Photoblog.org as the computer only takes 1 .Mac site. A bit strange. But visit. Howard
June 6th, 2004 at 1:44 pm
I'd probably have to say most of my photoblogging falls into the "nature" category. I love shooting the scenery around me, especially flowers. Though lately I have started doing more portrait shots of friends and family. Also like focusing on everyday common items, such as water drops, fold of a curtain, etc.
August 7th, 2004 at 3:57 am
External bath shower thermostatic mixer with standard thermostatic cartridge. Protective stainless steel filters and non-return valves at the inlets. Safe System (red button), safety guaranteed, temperature control at max 38°, faucets included.