Distinctive Deviants and their Styles: Volume 2

What makes an image instantly recognisable, as been taken by a particular individual? Like the way a Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams, Klein, Sugimoto etc image is recognisable. Some of the key factors include subject choice, the manner in which the subjects are photographed & processed, the size of the body of work in that style and the amount of exposure the photographer has received previously through various outlets.

Bill Henson once said that the best subject is one that can be returned to, as each day it will have something different to tell you. Everyone has a way of looking at the world, a way of visually conversing with it. Each of the deviants work presented here, has returned to the subject, building a body of work that through the way they have conversed created a distinctive and recognisable style.

Some arrive at their distinctive style through extensive experimentation over a number of years, slowing refining it. Others find it after the first time the press the shutter button. Either way what is arrived at is distinctive and reflective of that individual. The post processing only adds to this point.

What follows is a selection of deviants who have developed a style and body of work that will stand the test of time.

Enjoy.

Previous Volumes
Volume 1 [link]

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Note:
Due to a number of suggestions for you guys, I’ve decided to make this into a series of articles. There are definitely enough distinctive deviants out there to warrant it.

So if you know any deviants who display a distinctive style then feel free to note me with either:
- A link to their page
- 10 to 16 thumbs that are show a distinctive and cohesive body of work
- A write up on what makes their work distinctive
- Or any combination of the above.
Any contribution you make will be fully acknowledged.

Additionally if you have any suggestions (or to point out any and all mistakes, inaccuracies or omissions) at all to make this a better series feel free to note me and give me your feedback. Any and all help is appreciated.
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Enjoy

Pixydream



[link]

Bruno’s body of black and white images is noted for its even tonal range, going against the golden rule of black and white photography that of sharp contrast. This is the very reason why it works. I’m not sure how he arrives at the end effect by using neutral density filters, subtle HDR or making use of days that are overcast producing a softer light etc but the effect is stunning and distinctive.



Edredon



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Using manmade objects to mimic nature, edredon produces surprising and intriguing compositions, the likes of which I have never come across. Edredon works in large format using a Kodak Master View 4x5, all the more respect.



Scottjamesprebble



[link]

You know you’ve witnessed a Scott James Pebble’s masterpiece when you see the striking combination of concept, model, costume, location, strong use of flash and a dry wit. Scott takes his photography seriously but gladly not himself with humour seeming to permeate much of his work. Scott serves up “fine art + fashion + Fetish” which I’m assuming is in that order.



Dkraner



[link]

Dominik’s Heart series is extensive and explored every facet of the subject like a kid run amok in a candy shop. Dominik has managed to find or create hearts in oddest of objects. Using a high key approach accentuates the often bright and colourful subjects while giving a cohesive and distinctive nature to series.



Davenit



[link]

Dave’s body of work both literally and metaphorically contains fluids, often bright in nature contrasting to their high key environment. Time plays a critical role in Dave’s work trying to find and understand the decisive moment between order (contained fluid) and chaos (flowing fluid). It’s hard to truly appreciate how much time goes into the setup of his studio shots, though grateful to him for spending the time, jumping between that with is contained and that which is free to flow.




Hellfirediva



[link]

Hellfire diva’s passion for the environment and every small and wondrous detail of it, is evident in her stunning body of work. Using carefully chosen depth of field isolating her subjects that range from mushrooms, snakes and frogs to perched birds results in images that just blow you away.



Frogs and Toads


Birds


Nicoweb



[link]

Nicolas’ Dark Zoo series manages to a create a view of the animal kingdom that is refreshing, using their profiles and a low key approach more typical of human portraiture emphasising the inherent connection between the two.



Benoitpaille



[link]

Benoitpaille’s Full frontal upper body portraits form only a small part of his extensive gallery, although a distinctive one. Using a depth of field that does not fully isolate the subjects from their surrounds but gives enough to shed a light on the subject and it’s place in the world striking a fine balance. The use of a similar pose aides to the cohesiveness of his work and a sense of connectiveness shared between us all.



Guost



[link]

Derek’s use of multiple exposures (double, triple and quadruple?) is something at that permeates his body of work, returning to it often. The juxtapositions he arrives at are stunning, often overlaying subjects of nature to that of the man made environment and people’s relationship with both. It’s one thing to use Photoshop to merge several images it’s another total ballgame to do it in the camera using film as Derek does, clearly demonstrating in outstanding ability to see the final image before it’s ever created and making him one very distinctive deviant.



Some of his other stuff


Vaporiss



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Vaporiss’ has his finger in a number of photographic pies digital, film and Polaroid, although it’s his polaroids of disused, decaying and maligned urban environments that really standout. Enhanced by the desaturated tones of the Polaroid film and the heaver grain the decay is all the more evident. The only sign of a human presence is in objects and artifacts that have seen much better days seems to be of great interest to him. Why where some things taken and the rest left behind?



Electric wizard



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Jake’s emphasis of landscape and placement of the subject in the mid-ground is pivotal to creating his distinctive images. At once a part of the environment but at the same time isolated from it. His images all have a haunting quality to them that truly sets them apart.



Doggery



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Doggery’s Wasteland series gives as a bleak view of the future, as a sun scorched post-apocalyptic wasteland
The imagery created vividly transports us into the various daily aspects of the inhabitants of the wasteland and their, what appears to be desperate struggle for survival. The use of location, costume, lighting, wind, composition, storyboarding and post processing come together in a stunning way.



Seenew



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Chris, ever the one for experimenting, conceptualising and exploring various photography possibilities has produced some stunning images using a range of techniques and different equipment and pushing a few boundaries whilst at it. Here are just two of the many series that make Chris a distinctive deviant.

Fragmented Self Image


Cyanotype


Marrian



[link]

Eric’s exploration and study of the female form boarders on abstraction, without objectification or sexualisation.



Denis2



[link]

Although Denis’ body of work contains many subjects, mans best friend seems to be a constant companion and one lovely depicted one. His compositions are always inviting and often surprising. Mans best friend never had a better one. Motion plays a large part throughout the rest of Denis’ work that just take the breath away.



In Motion


Nullermaden

:iconNullermaden:

[link]

Anyone of Lasse’s American and Europe portrait series has an instantly recognisable style. Full frontal, high constanded black and whites, captured and processed in a way that every detail of subject and indeed their soul is reproduced in stunning detail. Each person has their own story and is something Lasse seeks to understand and document visually and in word. Six billion stories and counting. If only for that he should be highly commended.



Directionsforpest



[link]

Hannah inserts a real sense of playfulness into much of her portraiture and fashion work, whether it’s in the studio or on location. Using minimalist backdrops and carefully constructed lighting schemes to squarely focus the attention on the models and the fashion has developed a distinctive style.




Something a little different



Kirra-Photography



[link]

Kirra like Cindy Sherman before her pushes the boundaries of self-portraiture albeit in a very different direction. Her face in her compositions, more often than not consume the whole frame. Through her creative use of lighting, composition, makeup and range of post processing techniques result in strikingly different stunning and often otherworldly images that set her part from herself.

For someone who’s only just pushing 18 years of age to have so much photographic maturity and understanding in every respect she must have been born with a camera in her hand and an eye ready to capture it.