Robert Cornelius' self-portrait. The back reads, "The first light picture ever taken." (Wiki)
“Today’s images have a very different visual aesthetic,” I recently wrote a friend, who is a documentary photographer (to remain anonymous.) “Many of your images look ‘dated,’ which is fine, especially as they are becoming ‘historic,’ so they will increase in value in that sense.” However, I advised him that unless he at least “reinvigorated” his images with careful postproduction treatment, he would lose stock sales.
His response: “Other people have told me that my pictures look dated, though I don’t understand how you and them can see that. I know they’re old, but I can’t tell the difference.”
Writing back about his images being dated, I said: “This is incredibly obvious in the bulk of your images, simply because of your subject matter, the film you used, and your style, which is not ‘contemporary.’”
Further, I shared: “One editor told me that photos I took in 2001 looked ‘dated,’ and I had to agree. I’m surprised that you’re surprised. Open up five “National Geographics” from different decades without knowing the dates and you will easily be able to put them in chronological order, no?”
To me, it seems clear that ALL photographs age and look ‘dated’ in time, although, and that this aging process is accelerating in modern photography. However, just as with human beings, some photographs look much younger at an older age than others. (Think: Jack Lalanne vs. a Haggard Meth Addict.)
This image aging issue makes me think about three points important to professional photographers:
#1: There is a certain pressure to continually evolve one’s style to stay commercially viable.
#2: This need to evolve should not be worrisome as successful, creative professionals enjoy change and growth.
#3: Given the “Lalanne vs. Meth Addict Factor,” photographers should not feel pressure to do #1 if they are not in line with #2. However, they will then need to consider #4:
#4: Photographer who don’t desire change need to ensure that they are photographing in a Lalanne Style for a Lalanne Audience. If they don’t, are going to end up with business problems that rival those of being a Meth Head. (Not Good.)
My anonymous friend wrote back basically telling me I had it wrong; that his images looked fine and that I wasn’t seeing them right. Fair enough! I was only offering an opinion, and I’m not interested in insisting that anyone approach photography in any one way. However, I am interested in what you think about this topic?
Do photographic styles age and become less valuable? If so, how do you handle this issue?