Finding Your Muse .. When Did It Click For You?

[FlyingPhotog]

I don't know if this is an interesting thread idea or not but I'd be very curious to hear stories from other photographers regarding how they found their individualism in photography...

- How'd you find and settle on a particular subject or genre?
- What drew you to that subject and keeps it interesting?
- What do you do to make it and keep it unique?

Thanks in advance to anyone who cares to share...

[shannyD]

i like small punk shows with horrible lighting.. because it is such a challenge to get it right.. i keep doing it.. im a glutton for punishment i suppose.

but for me its not to use flash on the performers.. im scared of being rude i guess.

and i try really hard to stand apart from the rest of the photographers that show up to these events, and i just want to come out with something different to give to some bands.

shan

[maranelloboy05]

I always wanted really cool desktop pictures of cars, and could never find ones I really liked. 6 years and $3k later here I am, scares me a bit.

[nevilleb]

A muse... first of all let me state that if your muse doesn't change over time, you're not growing as a photographer. At least that's what I think. bw!

How did it start for me? It all started when I got hooked onto slide film (yeah, yeah! I do go that far back!) what with the sharpness, saturation of the pro films of that time. My "style" came into being when I got my first wide angle lens. Most of my early commercial work stems from that - getting up close & personal with the main subject, while taking in a sweep of the environment - that's environmental photography for you. Check out http://www.sweetchai.com - one of my earlier commercial projects - it reflects my [then] style.

Of course, I still do like to get the wide shot - as this image from Tibet (http://www.nevillebulsara.com/fine-art-gallery-20.htm) demonstrates. But then, I also do have close-up story-telling details (http://www.nevillebulsara.com/fine-art-gallery-15.htm)...

It really depends on what you are and what you choose to make of yourself at the end of the day. My preferences for the wide shot are well known. But as a travel & documentary photographer, I had to go beyond that. And that is what growing in photography is all about.

Just my two bits,

nevilleb

[blackshadow]

Initially mine was to capture bands in action but has grown since then... this led to me getting interested interested in the technical aspects of photography/lighting and my list of the types of photography I do and want to do has expanded with my skill.

[form]

- How'd you find and settle on a particular subject or genre?

Never did, but I do a lot of weddings now because they're plentiful and the money is good for me. I'd say if I really loved any kind of photography it might be landscape shots and ethereal, heavily processed photo-art.

- What drew you to that subject and keeps it interesting?

Money; hopefully I keep it interesting if I'm learning and improving.

- What do you do to make it and keep it unique?

Other than doing everything in my own style, nothing.

[FlyingPhotog]

Interesting responses all...

Thanks for playing!

[Parmcat]

I got into photography less the 6 years ago. I missed the film age and weht straight to digital.

The thing that caught my eye was Macro photography. I bought a used Canon Digital Rebel, and kit lens, and a sigma 105 macro, and never looked back.

I joined my local camera club, and the inspiration is endless.

So, 6 years later, I am on my 3rd camera body (Dig Rebel, Rebel XT, 40D) have been published ( POTN Vol 2) sold a pile of prints, had a gallery showing, and am negotiating a paying gig for the summer that could be a 7000.00 job.

Not a bad hobby.

Money does inspire, but the thing I LOVE (we all do) is the validation that the work we are doing inspires or moves others....

That is my muse!

[Alleh]

I started out with fashion but when people would look at my book they always told me they liked my sports stuff the best. I then realized it was my best work because I enjoyed it more. I pretty much redeveloped my entire path as a photographer. Now I have a very solid idea of where I am and where I want to go making everything clear.

[madhatter04]

My passion is for nature. My muse struck after taking an AP environmental science class in high school, then increased after I've gotten out and about in California more.

[Mike R]

My passion was landscapes, since I first picked up an SLR (AE-1in 1981). Two years ago,I offered to let a new HS (first for my town) use me as a fund raiser. Now I shoot multiple sports at 2 schools along with an annual Cheeerleading comp at a University.All word of mouth. Only the original school gets a kickback but sales are better at the other. Unfortunately It's been 2 years since I shot something for myself. When I'm shooting on the sidelines, To keep things fresh, I shoot as if every kid is my own and strive for shots that I would buy and I'm not afraid to try someting new, all though it doesn't always work out that way. It's equivalent to "my style'
I have started to shoot banquets and parties but still refuse weddings until I can work many as a second shooter. All my work has been from word of mouth and no advertising so I must be doing something right.

[Karl Johnston]

How'd you find and settle on a particular subject or genre?

There's not many people around here to shoot and northern lights every night.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3311405235_aa409b27a2.jpg?v=0
What drew you to that subject and keeps it interesting?

I've always had a fascination with the sky, I go out on the land and stare at the stars for hours and hours, sometimes days when I was younger. I used to go on deep walks in the woods and just camp out and watch the clouds hover overhead, zoom over my head and back down the horizon. Over and over, until the pinpricks of light appeared which were the stars, rotating like ball bearings in oil in a big glass sphere above me.

My next dream is to spend those days with someone else, to show them the beauty through my perspective. If not that at least enjoy the prints I make.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3311397369_512e306664.jpg?v=0
What do you do to make it and keep it unique?
I like to capture what I see, and use any techniques I can to re-render the northern lights the way I see them.

Capture the moment as if its already happening in front of you...if you think these are beautiful, check out the prints..where they really come to life.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3208723087_25fdc8b5a1.jpg?v=0

[Karl Johnston]

I think I killed everyone's muse =(

[FlyingPhotog]

I've been reading along...

Some very interesting outlooks on how different people approach their idea of photography!

[harroz]

my muse has changed so much I can't say i have one. Oh wait, haha, I missed it totally!!

I suppose it would be architectural photography, it seems that is what I seem to be good at at the moment, and i haven't tired of it, although I do love photographing people, but I've done so much of it that I only like doing it so much now, more commercial type rather than family stuff, but in saying that I've been enjoying the fast pace of wedding photography lately, it's been pushing me creatively and it seems I have a different take on it than most in my hood;-)

is there a muse in there somewhere. really I want a muse... a highly creative model who is a freak and loves doing mad stuff, she'll come one day, in the meantime I'll just keep musing on other stuff ;-)