Concept Photography: Learn to Shoot "Concepts" to Find Your Own Style... and Success

By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

If you asked me to give you my top 3 photography tips, today's would be among them. It's something everybody can do. It doesn't matter how much experience you have or what sort of camera you shoot with. And it'll guarantee you're taking unique -- and potentially very salable -- photos. It is...

Concept Photography

I'm prompted to share this tip today because as I was looking through the photo entries in this month's challenge I was struck by how few there were.

I have noticed that when the challenge theme is very specific -- something like food, pets, doors, trains, planes, or automobiles -- lots of people send in shots.

But when the theme is not so straightforward -- something conceptual, like January's "Traditions" or this month's "Scio - I Know" -- many people shy away.

You must resist that urge! I firmly believe that to grow in your photography you have to... 

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learn to shoot conceptually, or in other words to practice concept photography!

Sure, it's important to learn all the technical stuff -- how your camera works and how best to manipulate it. But doing that won't separate you from the pack. What will is your own perspective. Everybody's got a camera they work with. But nobody else has your unique point of view.

Photography is a personal endeavor -- it can be like a visual journal of sorts, like this beautiful shot from this month's challenge:

I am sure it has strong meaning for the contributor, but it also has a more universal meaning that many of us can identify with.

Lise Gagne, iStockphoto.com's top seller, made this point when we were in Austin at our photo workshop a few weeks back.

She told us that the best recipe for success in photography is to take your perspective, roll in your passion and tenacity, learn enough technical skills to get rolling... and then learn to shoot conceptually, and practice concept photography. (Remember, the more you shoot the more you learn, so the technical will come if you keep at it.)

Start this week.

Our theme this month is "Scio - I Know." Scio is Latin for "I know" -- and we all know something. So take a chance and shoot your knitting needles or your remote control... whatever it is you know about.

If you're drawing a blank,  put your camera in your pocket or around your neck one day this week and look around as you go through your day. Concept photography can be simple and easy; just pay attention to what you find interesting and take a few shots of those things. Then show us what you got by uploading your best shot before the deadline, which is Monday.

ENTER TO WIN!

This month's photo challenge theme is "Scio - I Know."  If you have a picture to submit, log on to our website (http://www.thephotographerslife.com) and click on the "Enter to Win" tab.  (Note: First-time users need to register on the "register" link on the right side bar first. Once you have a username and password, click "Enter to Win" to upload your photo. Only one photo per applicant will be considered. No purchase necessary to register.)

Photos are due by 8:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 25, 2008.

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelly Perry from Portland, OR, specializes in people photography, what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits. She is known especially for her imaging of children. Shelly's concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces.  Her images have been seen all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, websites, ad campaigns and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.

To get all of the great photo tips Shelly and many other photographers shared with us in Austin, you can sign up for the Ultimate Money-Making Photo Workshop-At-Home package, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phr/website.]

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