Technical Details: Canon 5D MkII, Canon 24 – 70 mm @ 24mm, ISO100, f/14, 63 seconds, Singh Ray Gold & Blue Polorizer, 7 stops of Singh Ray Neutral Density Glass
Hi Gang,
Quick reminder. Saturday, Nov. 5 is my first photography show, featuring 16 LARGE black and white images of Lake Superior printed on canvas. Proceeds from the event go to an amazing non-profit, DesignWise Medical. I hope to see you all at the event. For more details, please visit the show link here in the blog.
Now, on to today’s post.
I love photography and creating images, as many of you do. Like many of you, much of my inspiration comes from those around me, for if I had to rely on full, self-generated creative thought I probably wouldn’t get very far. 
Over the past couple of years I’ve blogged about the idea of finding photographers you like and trying to replicate what they have done; not so much to create what they created, but to learn from them, allowing you to put your own spin on things, to inspire you to create from a new place. Today’s post, the first of a two part series on this image, is about just that.
Today’s image/post is inspired by a good friend, great photographer and workshop participant, Gary Olejniczak (click on his name to see some of his stunning fall photography). Gary, like many of my workshop participants, has shown me a new way to see subjects that I have shot many, many times. This is what I find so invigorating as a workshop leader; I get to LEARN from my participants. Gary has shown me how to see differently. I’ve approached this feature of rocks from the same place, the same way so many times and had just about given up on them. Then comes along Gary, who in one sitting with this feature, totally new to him, shows me a composition I had yet to find. A really strong composition. I assure you, and as Gary can attest, my image looks nothing like his, but I wouldn’t have captured this image had Gary not shown me a new way to see it.
As is said in yoga, “Namaste.” The teacher me acknowledges the teacher in you.
Yet, I’m curious about this notion and how other people think of it. Do you think its inappropriate or disingenuous to take your cues from others? Fake? Fraud? Copycat? Maybe a better question is, “How do you learn?”
Part 2 of Post: A tutorial taking you through, in depth, a number of technical approaches to getting this final image.
Related posts:
4 Comments
Alec: It is not disingenuous, in my opinion of course, to be shown a new path to the light. New discoveries are made from the discoveries of others. Your photograph while inspired from the work of Gary nonetheless carries your marker, your vision so to speak, and reflects your approach to the problem of the composition. In architecture school we studied the work of the great masters of the craft. It was referred to as “an analysis of precedent” and through the this study of space, material, facade, figure-ground we would find new ways to interpret this work and carry it into a modern problem. As you say we cannot be self-directed or for that matter self-inspired without the interaction with others. I just don’t think it works that way. We must have dialogue to grow. This image is fantastic and I wish I had shot it. It makes me want to be a better photographer. So the student inspires the teacher and the teacher becomes the student. Yin yang.
Bob
First I would like to thank Alec for the mention. I am humbled that I could provide you with a little inspiration. As to the question, it do not find it inappropriate or disingenuous.
I consider Alec a mentor. I seek out his work for study as I do several other photographic artists and craftsmen. We have all struggled at some stage in our work with our personal styles, deciding what we wanted to shoot and how we wanted our audience to experience our images. It was suggested to me, early on, that I browse other photographers sites or go to museums and galleries in order to see how others craft their work. And just as importantly, to see what work I really like. Through this process I have found what I like to shoot and I can, for the most part, start to see a personal style developing. If I hadn’t sought out the works of others, I would never have been able to enjoy my work to the extent I do today.
Great question Alec, and interesting timing, as I think of the recent controversy over Bob Dylan’s paintings. Here are two perspectives on that to add fuel to the fire:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/28/bob-dylans-gagosian-paintings-plagiarized_n_985004.html
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/28/bob-dylan-accused-of-plagiarizing-famous-photos-in-his-new-art-show.html
This incident confirmed for me that in my book, attribution matters.
Amy, as always you’ve made a great contribution to the subject with these two articles. My favorite quote from the second article is
“There are always going to be people who say art should be completely original. But what does that mean? Nobody comes out like the birth of Venus—all art comes out of art.”
Bingo.
THANK YOU.
aLEc