Personality Type Test for Photographers
Introducing the HAND Model®
I often wonder what drives us photographers. Why does somebody always want to photograph sunsets -- and somebody else wants to tinker with his gear? Different motivations and ideas drive us!
Some models, such as the Myers-Briggs personality model, try to explain our individual characteristics. Are we internally or externally driven, and how do we make decisions? I get slightly different results if I analyze myself on any given day. But in most cases, I'm 80% internally driven, over 60% intuitive, and 90% assertive. Everything else is 50/50. You can test yourself online in many places -- here is one: 16Personalities.
I've used Myers-Briggs and various other models in my work leading software, product and leadership teams. But I'm not sure if these models are sufficient to explain the inner life of a photographer. So, based on my extensive kitchen-table-research® I created a special model to analyze us photographers a bit deeper. I call my model the HAND Model®, and it looks us photographers from four different angles. These angles are called High-Roller, Artist, Nerd and Doodler. Hence, the HAND Model®.
The HAND Model®
Let's look at the characteristics of the HAND-model® a bit closer. There are four different characteristics as follows:
High-Roller:
-wants the best equipment and tools
-knows 100% how to use the tools
-perfects his work, is very particular about the quality
-follows the rules; and knows how to get the best results
-photographs typically landscapes and sunsets
-wants the best equipment and tools
-knows 100% how to use the tools
-perfects his work, is very particular about the quality
-follows the rules; and knows how to get the best results
-photographs typically landscapes and sunsets
Artist:
-for him, it’s all about the feeling
-anything goes as long as he can pour his soul into it
-tools do not matter as long as they do not get into his way
-photographs typically street, unfocused, weird portraits
-for him, it’s all about the feeling
-anything goes as long as he can pour his soul into it
-tools do not matter as long as they do not get into his way
-photographs typically street, unfocused, weird portraits
Nerd:
-uses exotic left-field equipment
-wants to learn his tools inside out
-works on his tools, fixes and enhances
-photographs unique objects, closeups, macros, long exposures
-uses exotic left-field equipment
-wants to learn his tools inside out
-works on his tools, fixes and enhances
-photographs unique objects, closeups, macros, long exposures
Doodler:
-loves the process and slow photography
-results are sometimes secondary; quality is debatable
-aesthetics is of high importance
-photographs typically fine art, minimalism
-loves the process and slow photography
-results are sometimes secondary; quality is debatable
-aesthetics is of high importance
-photographs typically fine art, minimalism
We all have those four elements in us. Hardly anybody is one type only, but these characteristics blend in us. But how much is that? That is the question. What is the weight distribution?
To investigate, I have created a scientific test for you. You can test yourself and see where you land on the HAND-model® scale. It helps you understand why your photos are blurry or you have bad GAS syndrome.
Take the test HERE!