Artist Luis Alberto Rodriguez already had a successful creative career before turning to photography – as a Juilliard-trained dancer, he performed worldwide for 15 years. The choreographic approach of a dancer remains as he’s evolved towards image-making, particularly present in his new photography book O, an exploration of power and an idea of purity, published with Loose Joints. 

The dynamic nudes began from the personal turmoil experienced on a collective level during the pandemic ‘I think it’s fair to say it became a moment of reflection and contemplation for many of us. I began thinking of my own mortality, the state of denial I was in, and the unknown that always awaits us which at the time felt very scary. The initial conception of this new body of work stemmed from this aching and nagging feeling that had infiltrated my everyday life during that period.’

Rodriguez connects this emotion to French mystic thinker Simone Weil’s philosophies; through photographing his subject’s contorting physical expressions, the body becomes a distillation of the relationship between suffering and transcendence. 

In these textural black-and-white images, diverse bodies stretch and fold far beyond our tight daily norms of behaviour. In the artist’s words, ‘O is sound, vibration, a gasp, an echo chamber, earth-shattering, a collective wail, a reset – our symphony.’ 

Another highly emotive dimension to the book is the inclusion of the Dominican-American artist’s heritage. Rodriguez’s mother’s intuitive skills of tasseography (divination through coffee cup reading) sit in spiritual dialogue with the nudes. The artist’s father is pictured within the series too, an unforgettable first Rodriguez says.

When asked about what’s next, he tells us: ‘Keeping my eyes open and following the sun.’

O by Luis Alberto Rodriguez is published by Loose Joints, £50, available at https://loosejoints.biz/

What lured you into photography? Was it a specific genre? Was it a person? Whatever the case, I want to lay out the benefits of being as open and experimental as possible when you are new to the craft.

It feels as if every photographer has their own unique path that led them to their first camera and the all-consuming passion that is photography. I’d always had a vague interest in taking pictures, and I used to commandeer the family disposable cameras until chunky, digital point-and-shoots were occupying a drawer in every house, then I used those. Nevertheless, nobody ever pushed me to try photography properly, and I never sought the knowledge or training.

Then — and this is the third time I’ve written this on Fstoppers, so I’m going to skip large parts — I found a subsection of the car forum I was on every day that was dedicated to photography. It was stuffed full of incredible photographers, from automotive (obviously) to internationally awarded landscape photographers. Quite unexpectedly, what caught my attention was a thread on macro photography. There were two different photographers who had Canon TS-E macro lenses that were paired with Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lites, which if you’re unfamiliar with macro, was (and is) the Rolls Royce pairing for insect-bothering.

My obsession grew, and eventually, I found the cheapest path into macro photography I could: a (heavily) used Canon 350D, the 18-55mm kit lens it originally came with, and a macro filter from eBay. I only have one surviving shot from that setup, and apart from the image quality, I still rather like it:

My initial interest in becoming a photographer was simply to take pictures of insects. Nevertheless, when you find yourself with some new technology (to you) in your hands, it’s hard not to grow curious. Before long, I was taking awful portraits of my girlfriend, horribly exposed landscapes, and even product shots of watches I owned. I wanted to try anything and everything, from genres to techniques, and I did. In fact, I can honestly say there wasn’t much I didn’t try my hand at in the first few years. Some of those, such as portraits and product shots of watches, became so important to me that they would end up steering me away from my intended life in academia and to photography as a career instead. Had I not been experimental, I would have missed out on many things, but more than that, I would have been worse off as a photographer too. So, here are five ways experimenting as a new photographer is valuable.

Discover Your Passion

I believed my passion to be taking macro photographs of insects, as bizarre as that is. It was what got me through the door, and I still love it over a decade later. You might argue that I actually just loved macro photography, but there was a passion for another genre that, when I started photography, I had no interest in: portraiture.

I went from being uninterested in portraiture, to starting a website dedicated to it (that eventually led me to write for Fstoppers), and running a Pinterest board about it that peaked at 100,000 views per month. Since then, portraiture has been a central part of my photography as a passion and as a business. Had I not tried other genres, I would have missed out on finding a part of the craft I truly love.

Transferrable Skills

A wildly underappreciated benefit of trying different genres as a beginner is the amount of overlap in skill sets between genres. That is, macro photography can teach you a lot about strobe lighting that can be transferred to portraiture, for example. Or, motorsport photography can teach you a lot about shutter speeds and settings you would use for wildlife photography. Or, light painting can teach you a lot about long exposures for astrophotography, and so on.

You would be hard-pushed to find a genre that doesn’t overlap with any other genres, and so while you learn one, you may be improving several others.

Expanding Perspectives

There is more conceptual benefit to experimenting with lots of genres as a new photographer: expanding your perspectives. What I mean by that is when you learn different genres, some of the foundations start to influence how you see other genres too. For example, if you were initially drawn to taking landscapes, perhaps your eye for wildlife photography will be informed by your experience and interest in the former. Where some wildlife photographers might whip out the 600mm howitzer to shoot a moose completely separated from its background, you opt to incorporate it into the surroundings. There are many times when some knowledge from one area can be applied to another for interesting results.

Versatility

This section is really the convergence of the two before it, as the transferrable skills and expanded perspectives make for a far more versatile photographer. Now, this can be taken in two ways: either, you can perform high-quality photography of lots of different genres and perhaps secure work for wildly differing assignments. Or — and this is how I believe it is the most valuable — you are able to drill down in your own genre and work in ways that others wouldn’t think to. In professional photography in particular, you are regularly thrown into difficult and unexpected situations, and you need to be able to think on your feet to resolve it. I credit most of my versatility to my curiosity as a photographer.

Conclusion

If you are lucky enough to have seen the enjoyment in photography, take the time to explore its profound depth. As someone who loves the craft, I have put hundreds of hours into many genres I do not pursue professionally just for the enjoyment of it. Thankfully, in turn, I grow as a photographer in unexpected ways from doing so, and this was particularly true when I first started. From praying mantises to portraits, and photojournalism to Polaroid, I’ve explored the craft, turning it on all sides, and it’s a valuable task.

To the photographers who haven’t just started, how often do you stray from your “main” genre? Have you seen the benefits of doing so? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Symmetry has long been one of the most powerful tools to provide visual interest in an image, and there are many ways to leverage it in your work to create compelling shots. This fantastic video tutorial will show you some of the different types of symmetry in landscape photography and how you can use them in your own work. 

Coming to you from Mike Smith, this awesome video tutorial discusses the application of symmetry in landscape photography. To be clear, you do not have to prioritize symmetry; rather, it is about keeping it front of mind and making purposeful decisions whether to use it or not. A symmetrical image inherently feels balanced, and that can create a sense of peace and calm, which can be used to great effect. On the other hand, a carefully designed asymmetrical image can impart a sense of tension or unease, which can help to add a sense of drama to a shot, which can be useful for something like an approaching storm or imposing mountain. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Smith. 

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out “Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi.” 

Marie-Laure de Decker, the French model who stepped behind the camera to become an internationally recognised war photographer, has died at the age of 75, her family said Saturday.

She died in hospital on Saturday following a long illness, her family said.

Born in Algeria — when it was still a French colony — she started her career as a model before deciding to branch out into photography.

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Prioritizing passion over fear, and doubling his income

Automation ‘is the key to reducing your workload’

Photography can be a pursuit marked by slow growth, and as such, insidious things can creep in and derail our journey, and it can be years before we even realize they have done so. If you would like to continue to grow as a photographer and creative, check out this fantastic video essay that discusses three mistakes that will hold you back and how to avoid them.

Coming to you from Kyle McDougall, this insightful video essay discusses three common mistakes that hold photographers back. One that I found particularly salient is the importance of not wasting time and energy on unproductive things that do nothing to move you forward. We can be guilty of this in so many ways: it can be spending too much time poring over camera specs, arguing with others online, or looking for shortcuts like presets. It can be also come about in less obvious ways, such as spending too much time editing small details of an image that really do not contribute to its overall impression and quality or that are unlikely to be noticed entirely. It is so important that we not only practice our craft, but practice it in a purposeful way. Check out the video above for the full rundown from McDougall. 

In a world saturated with photographs, where everyone has a camera at their fingertips, one genre continues to stand out: fine art photography. This captivating medium transcends the realm of mere documentation, elevating photography to the level of art. Fine art photography is an artistic expression that combines technical prowess, creative vision and often a distinct message. Let’s delve into the essence of fine art photography, exploring its characteristics, significance and the endless possibilities it offers to both photographers and viewers.

Defining fine art photography

Fine art photography encompasses a broad spectrum of styles and approaches, ultimately united by the intent to convey a deeper meaning or evoke emotions in the viewer. Unlike commercial or journalistic photography, the primary purpose of fine art photography is to ignite introspection and ignite the imagination.

Often, combining a painterly feel or even additional textures bring a unique charm to each piece of art. It may be a portrait or a landscape image, but this approach will take an image from a mere photo to something a little more unique.

Characteristics of fine art photography

Fine art photography exhibits several key characteristics that set it apart from other forms of photography. First, it emphasizes the creative vision of the photographer. Rather than capturing a literal representation of reality, fine art photographers employ techniques like abstraction, manipulation and experimentation to create unique and imaginative compositions. They often use elements such as light, color, texture and form to evoke mood and provoke thought.

Another important aspect is the attention to detail and craftsmanship. Fine art photographers meticulously plan and execute their images. They pay meticulous attention to composition, framing and technical aspects like exposure and focus. They approach their work with a high level of skill and technical proficiency, which allows them to effectively translate their creative vision into a tangible form.

Significance and interpretation

One of the remarkable aspects of fine art photography is its ability to evoke subjective interpretations. Each viewer brings their own experiences, emotions and perspectives to the image, resulting in a unique and personal interaction. Fine art photographs are often open-ended, inviting viewers to ponder the narrative, symbolism or metaphor behind the image. This interplay between the artist’s intent and the viewer’s interpretation adds layers of depth and complexity to the photograph.

Fine art photography also serves as a powerful medium for social commentary, cultural exploration and self-expression. Photographers can use their images to address issues such as identity, gender, race and environmental concerns. By presenting their perspective through artistic imagery, they encourage dialogue and challenge societal norms, offering fresh insights and alternative viewpoints.

They offer the viewer a sense of introspection or at the very least to stop and ponder the artistry for a few moments. They are often otherworldly or even dreamy and ethereal, at times, shocking and thought-evoking.

The evolution and future of fine art photography

Fine art photography has evolved significantly over time. Initially confined to traditional darkrooms and chemical processes, it has embraced digital technology and post-processing tools. The advent of digital cameras, advanced software and online platforms has democratized the genre, enabling a wider range of artists to experiment and share their work globally.

As we look to the future, this genre will undoubtedly continue to push boundaries and defy conventions. It will embrace emerging technologies, explore new techniques, and incorporate diverse influences from various art forms. Moreover, as society evolves, fine art photography will reflect and challenge the ever-changing cultural landscape, provoking thought and fostering dialogue.

Going beyond mere documentation

Fine art photography is a captivating genre that goes beyond mere documentation, offering a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the world. With its emphasis on creative vision, technical excellence and subjective interpretation, it bridges the gap between reality and imagination. By engaging viewers on an emotional and intellectual level, fine art photography sparks conversations, challenges norms and inspires new ways of seeing. As we continue to explore and appreciate the world of fine art photography, we embark on a journey that is both visually stunning and intellectually enriching.

But, is there business to be made from this genre? Yes, I believe for some there can be. Not everyone makes a living from it, not everyone enjoys it. But I believe that for a few who are passionate about it, it is more often the process and the end results more than the financial benefit that is rewarding. But perhaps that’s just me.

Please note: All artworks shared in this post are all original fine art by me (without AI); some have not been seen before and are shared with permission.

Here is a list of other fine art photographers you might enjoy: