“Your style is an extension of your soul, a reflection of your mind and a statement of your personal journey." - Unknown

When I first started using Photoshop, my process was all over the place. I’d try out random techniques I thought might work or things I picked up along the way. Looking back, it was a chaotic mix of experimenting and learning with no real consistency or style. But as I kept refining my skills, something amazing happened—I started to see a pattern in what I liked and wanted in my images.

One moment that really stands out is when I posted a landscape photo on social media a few years back. Someone commented, "I knew it was yours before I saw who posted it." That was a game-changer for me. It made me realise I was developing a style, even if I hadn’t been consciously aware of it.

As I progressed to creating "altered landscapes" by adding elements to my landscapes and then onto composite imagery, my style became even more defined, with colour becoming my standout feature. Fast forward a few years, and I now have a distinct style that’s mine. Of course, I still tweak things and explore new technologies and techniques, but the essence of my style remains consistent.

If you're not aiming to develop a style, that's totally okay. But if you want a consistent look and feel to your work, focusing on developing your own style is key.

Here are some tips to help you find your unique visual identity amidst the creative chaos. Your processing style defines how you interpret and enhance your images using editing tools like Adobe Photoshop.

What is Processing Style?

Your processing style encompasses the aesthetic choices you make during post-processing, including colour treatment, contrast adjustments, and overall mood enhancement. It reflects your artistic vision and can set your work apart from others. Identifying your processing style is crucial for developing a cohesive and recognisable body of work.

Exploring Photoshop's Tools and Features

Photoshop offers a comprehensive suite of tools that empower photographers to bring their creative visions to life:

Layers and Masks: Fundamental for non-destructive editing and precise adjustments.

Adjustment Layers: Enable selective editing of color, brightness, and contrast.

Filters and Effects: Transform photos with various artistic effects and textures.

Brushes and Blending Modes: Add custom elements and control blending for seamless integration.

Understanding and mastering these tools will give you the flexibility to experiment and refine your processing techniques.

Experimenting with Different Styles

To discover your processing style, explore different aesthetic approaches:

Realistic and Natural: Enhance details while maintaining a natural appearance.

High Contrast and Dramatic: Emphasize mood and intensity with bold contrasts.

Soft and Dreamy: Create a soft, ethereal atmosphere with gentle tones.

Vintage and Retro: Infuse nostalgia with vintage-inspired effects.

Minimalist and Clean: Focus on simplicity and clarity for a modern look.

Experimenting with these styles using Photoshop techniques will help you identify what resonates most with your creative vision.

Finding Your Personal Style

Developing a personal style involves a process of self-discovery and experimentation:

Be inspired by others: Study and replicate the editing styles of creative or photographers you admire.

Playing with Colors and Tones: Explore different colour palettes and tonal ranges.

Exploring Textures and Effects: Experiment with overlays, textures, and creative effects.

Take note of what feels most authentic to you and gradually refine your style based on your preferences and artistic instincts.

Developing a Signature Look

As you refine your editing style, aim to develop a signature look that is distinctly yours:

Identify Your Preferences: Determine the elements that define your style, such as colour schemes or composition choices.

Incorporate Personal Themes: Infuse your work with themes or subjects that resonate with you.

Consistency and Evolution: Strive for consistency while allowing room for growth and evolution in your style over time.

A signature look helps establish your unique identity as a creative or photographer and can make your portfolio more cohesive and memorable.

Showcasing Your Work

Share your work with others to gain valuable feedback and exposure:

Social Media and Communities: Share your work on platforms like Instagram, Flickr, or other forums.

Participate in Challenges: Join photography challenges or contests to gain exposure and refine your skills.

Feedback from others can provide fresh perspectives and insights to further refine your processing style.

Tips for Photoshop Mastery

Accelerate your Photoshop skills with these tips:

Online Tutorials and Courses: Take advantage of free and paid resources to deepen your knowledge.

Utilise Plugins and Presets: Explore third-party plugins and presets to streamline your workflow.

Continuous Learning: Stay curious and open to new techniques and trends in photo editing.

Mastering Photoshop will enhance your ability to express your creative vision effectively.

Understanding Processing Styles

Your processing style is the artistic fingerprint that you leave on your images/photos during post-processing. It involves a series of intentional aesthetic choices aimed at enhancing the visual impact and emotional resonance of your images. Here are key components that define processing styles:

Colour Treatment: Colour is a powerful element that can evoke specific moods and emotions. Your processing style dictates how you manipulate colours—whether you prefer vibrant and saturated tones, subtle pastel hues, or monochromatic palettes. Some lean towards natural colour reproduction for a realistic look, while others embrace bold colour grading for artistic expression or others prefer subdued colour palettes.

Contrast Adjustments: Contrast plays a crucial role in defining the overall tone and atmosphere of your images/photos. Your processing style may involve boosting contrast for a dramatic effect, or reducing it for a softer, more ethereal appearance. The interplay between highlights and shadows can greatly influence the visual dynamics of your images.

Mood Enhancement: Processing styles often aim to enhance the mood and narrative of an image/photo. This can involve adjusting exposure to create a certain ambiance (e.g., bright and cheerful vs. moody and introspective), or applying creative effects like vignetting or selective blurring to draw attention to specific elements.

Texture and Detail Handling: How you handle textures and details in post-processing contributes to your unique style. Some prefer sharp, detailed images that highlight textures, while others opt for softer, more diffused rendering that imparts a dreamy quality to their work.

Your processing style is deeply intertwined with your artistic vision and personal preferences. It's not merely about applying generic edits but rather about making deliberate choices that align with your creative intentions and visual identity.

Importance of Identifying Your Processing Style

Identifying and refining your processing style is crucial for several reasons:

Consistency: Developing a consistent processing style helps create a cohesive body of work that is instantly recognizable as yours. Consistency reinforces your brand as a photographer and builds trust with your audience.

Artistic Expression: Your processing style is a means of artistic expression, allowing you to convey your unique perspective and emotions through your images or photos. It gives your work a distinct voice in a crowded visual landscape.

Differentiation: In a world inundated with imagery, having a distinct processing style sets you apart from others. It helps you stand out and leaves a lasting impression on viewers.

Professional Development: Understanding your processing style enables you to refine your technical skills and develop a more efficient workflow. As you become more adept at executing your preferred edits, you can produce higher-quality work more efficiently.

Ultimately, your processing style is a reflection of your artistic journey and creative evolution. Embrace the process of discovery and experimentation, and allow your unique style to emerge organically through your passion for visual storytelling.

Discovering and refining your processing style is a rewarding journey that requires patience, experimentation, and self-discovery. Embrace the process of creative exploration using Photoshop as your canvas. Remember, your processing style is a reflection of your unique perspective as an artist. Keep evolving, keep experimenting, and enjoy the journey of unveiling your creative potential through digital editing.