Artistic Taste and Style

by Editor Wicher Bos
Published the 27th of August 2021

I read somewhere about Marc de Montifaud (1845-1912), an art critic and author, describing Olympia, a masterpiece painting inspired by Manet’s work, he said: “Mr. Cézanne merely gives the impression of being a sort of madman, painting in a state of delirium tremens.” Paul Cézanne, or rather all the Impressionists. Over 100 years after that first exhibition Cézanne is still a celebrated artist and his paintings worth millions on the art market.

This article was triggered by noticing some disappointed photographers on various forums. One of the reasons seems to be their style didn’t match the taste (or perhaps expectations) of the forum community. Debates were fierce… As a result, many left… some others tried to educate the community however only very few succeeded doing that… and be accepted…

What could be a cause?

'The uncompromising man...' by Adam Bartončík(Portrait)

Let’s explore the ideas about Artistic Taste and Style.

Taste is the personal preference of the viewer, either natural, spontaneous or educated by knowledge or social group concepts… to belong… to be part of…

Style is personal preference as it shows in creative choices made by the artist; in various ways, choice of subject, choice of color, choice of concept, … Some photos are made with so much style that I can guess its maker… Often you don’t choose a style - it rather finds you… if you look and review your artistic work created over the past years, you’ll see your preferences and so your style.

Taste and Style are in a way complementary to each other and deeply connected to your own artistic believes, convictions, emotions, and so on… - so, with YOU!

Both, taste and style can change - will change - over time as a result of the people you meet - your social and cultural environment – the given feedback on your work – the studies you undertake, etc…

The (art) critic is just another YOU, often more experienced and/or educated – which makes their advice and judgements a valuable source for learning. However, as the story of Mrs. Marc de Montifaud tells us, they sometimes can be wrong too… or rather have a different preference for style.

For any photographer wanting to learn is the key to progress. At the same time, experience tells us we are poor judges of our own work; we often overestimate our abilities and the quality… this judgment is influenced by cultural factors too… It makes your exposure to critiques and feedback key.

Test it yourself: Go to a photo exposition and hang around a particular photo that you like or dislike, and listen how different viewers see the image, the diversity of why they (dis-)like it, etc. Don’t chose your own photo for this experiment, because you are too emotionally attached and you will start defending the choices you made, and why they are wrong… it will block your learning… Just listen what others see and say…

Next step will be to apply this. Sycra Yasin, an artist and art instructor, created an insightful drawing about this process. It shows first you need to train yourself in seeing, then the technical ability to execute your mental vison. Prepare yourself for periods of frustration but push on, you will get there in the end. A moment of recognition at least for myself.

I hope this article will help you to understand viewers, creators, curators and critics… that’s why I personally like the “photographer of the week” articles very much, these articles reveal the artistic style of the featured photographer and some of the aspirations of the YOU-person creating them…

“Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art.” ~ Susan Sontag

Now for my own taste, let me present a selection of the photo’s I marked as favorite - from the time I joined 1x.com - perhaps it reveals something about me too. I asked myself several time why do I like this image so much? Often, I really wonder, in some cases I admire the skill and creativity of the photographer knowing I might never be able to create such a beauty. To me browsing my favorites works as a mirror and a challenge at the same time.

'Grace' by Yuri Shepelev (Conceptual)