"Perhaps the greatest impediment to human creativity is the natural decay that sets in over time in any kind of medium or profession. In the sciences or in business, a certain way of thinking or acting that once had success quickly becomes a paradigm, an established procedure. As the years go by, people forget the initial reason for this paradigm and simply follow a lifeless set of techniques. In the arts, someone establishes a style that is new and vibrant, speaking to the particular spirit of the times. It has an edge because it is so different. Soon imitators pop up everywhere. It becomes a fashion, something to conform to, even if the conformity appears to be rebellious and edgy. This can drag on for ten or twenty years; it eventually becomes a cliché, pure style without any real emotion or need." - Robert Greene
The above statement by author Robert Greene rings true with the rise of clout-chasing within today's industry landscape. From top to bottom, the cliches are constantly reinforced over and over because people want to fit in and be sponsored, be controversial, and be viral. Even top brands and magazines that were once innovative are now a shell of their former self, trying to appease everyone and everything within this new cancel-culture climate. In the words of Robert Greene, much of what we are seeing in the industry today is cliché, following a lifeless set of techniques. Pure style without any real emotion or need, conformity masquerading as being rebellious and edgy.
I definitely don't want any of you to be a cliche and all style without any connection to anything in the work you produce. So, I listed three of the most common cliches we've all fallen victim to at one point or another that you'll want to try and avoid as you prepare for future projects.
1. Juvenile use of props - This cliche made me want to write this blog post because someone recently sent me a link to an editorial shoot from one of the top fashion magazines still in production. The concept for the brand was so basic and recycled that I couldn't understand its point considering the magazine's history and the budget it had access to. Picture a piece of fruit covering and representing a nude body part, like really?
Better Alternative: If you decide to use props for editorial or conceptual work where you have the freedom to push the envelope, explore options that aren't so literal for your concept. Don't just go for the most apparent metaphors with your creations. You want to be more lyrical with less nursery rhyme when given the opportunity to flex your talent with conceptual work.
2. Social Media Creations - There is a particular cliche style that people who make a living from social media like to act, create and edit within. While nothing is wrong with it, do you really want to try and emulate social media influencers? You have to remember that most of the time, the social influencers in your genre have never even booked regular clients or ran a profitable standalone business from their profession before blowing up on social media.
They make their money from social media, brand deals, and sponsorships based on their considerable following on these platforms. YouTuber Casey Neistat mentioned how corporations would reach out to him and not even care about anything related to his work or talent and that it was only his following they were interested in.
Keep that in mind next time you want to pattern all of your creative decisions off of influencer behavior. That formula works for them and their brand/situation; you will have to find your way and figure out what works for you. You can still allow yourself to be inspired by their accomplishments and learn and be entertained by their content, but try to view things in perspective as it relates to your objectives.
3. Posing Cliches - This one is for both models and photographers because a back-and-forth dynamic has to happen for poses to look natural and have a bit of flow. Cliches with posing start to arise when there is a disconnect between the model and photographer and both parties settle on their default choices. Photographers and models must understand that every pose isn't for every body.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is seeing a pose they like from a picture online and persistently trying to reconstruct it during a photoshoot, even if it's not working. Posing that looks natural doesn't work like that. Every model has their own strengths and anatomy, and you can't just try and force something to happen. That's one of the reasons my "niche" within this photography industry comes as more of a luxury/premium service because I excel at bringing out that natural-looking flow within a frame where people's expressions and poses look effortless. I know how to coach and direct, when to push and pull back, and gauge whos ready for this or that. My background in athletics has a lot to do with that, and if you mix that kind of type A personality with the balanced artistic side, it's a perfect mix. So why am I mentioning this? Certain intangibles can only be gained from experience. Having a million photos saved on Pinterest will only get you to a certain point. You have to get off autopilot, log off, and learn by doing; otherwise, everything you do will blend in with the crowd. But it doesn't have to be that way. Take things one step at a time and you got this. ;)
tags: photographers near me, Denver fashion photographer
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