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Quote: Having a 'style' is much more of a personal thing and should go to the core of who you are as a person
Looking at it from this perspective I think not having a style is a style in itself. I have wide and varied interests in life and I think my photography echoes this. Whilst I enjoy trying to emulate some of the stunning images I see on here I also enjoy looking for a different viewpoint and picking out the detail in things.
Style distinguishes you
Subject is what you shoot
You can apply style to subject, but they are different.
Its all very individual really - comes as a result of "doing" stuff - if you do stuff in the same way over and over, a style develops - a bit like an evolution process.
Some are like Madagascar, evolving separately to the rest - others are like the USA and become a mish-mash of styles
Where you place your lights for portraits can be the route of your style.
Usually, it's how you process the image that dictates style these days - good or bad ?
Style often means that people can instantly recognise your work
I get that a lot on here and face-ache
"knew it was yours" etc. etc. etc.
I know what you mean, Ade, often have a trawl through and can pick out peoples work just by the thumbnail, would be interested to know if people can do that with mine.
If so then i've inadvertently developed a style. Unsure whether thats a good or bad thing really.
good thing if you want to get work.... if people see a consistent style throughout your portfolio, they know what they are likely to get should the hire you
if you are all over the place, with no style or consistency, they'd be taking a real punt hiring you
they may like taking punts
Quote: Style distinguishes you
Subject is what you shoot
You can apply style to subject, but they are different.
Its all very individual really - comes as a result of "doing" stuff - if you do stuff in the same way over and over, a style develops - a bit like an evolution process.
I completely get what you are saying here but how do you guard against the comfort of complacency? Style may be what distinguishes you but what if that distinction says "predictable". If you keep doing what you are doing you'll keep getting what you've got, after all. I take your point about giving a client security but keeping things fresh and challenging is also important.
So, how do you develop an instantly recognisable style yet still surprise others by your innovation and creativity?
logo doing it's evil work of spreading my name lol
just had a quick look - reminds me of my "experimental" stage, going back to 2004-2006ish - not really a consistent style I could describe, but an experimental and quirky approach.
keep going as you are and one will appear once you find your groove
maybe try nicking someones style for a bit - everyone nicked Keithh's for a few years after all 
Quote: So, how do you develop an instantly recognisable style yet still surprise others by your innovation and creativity?
by developing an innovative and creative style?
the best 2 examples we've had on here are DeLone and BreadAndShutter
They are instantly recognisable from even 1/10th of the thumbnail - yet are innovative and very creative.
It's more about a feel really - hard to put your finger on. Remember Paul Indigo? He's got a very clear, bright and friendly style where you see people with beaming smiles in their natural envinronment.
With straight photographers (i.e. not huge DM or photoshopped results) style's all about their camera control and lighting control - be that natural, flash or a mix of the 2. Add to that the interaction with sitters/models if there are people involved, and make up and stylists if they're involved... Rich Spurdens often uses the same make up and stylists, the same lighting and varies the models and location.
Quote: Past tense?
Lol
oops - forgot you were back #doffs cap#
keeping well "darn sarf" I hope 
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