2009 | The Year I Become ME

FM Forum Rules
Wedding Resource List

FM Forums \| Wedding Photographer \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
1 2 3 end

Archive 2009 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

unblinkable
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Something I learned during the 2008 wedding season...

I'm not y'all.

I can learn SO much from you... but in the end, I need to find a way to make those new lessons work for who *I* am as a photographer. When I came on here lo these many years ago, I was so overwhelmed by what I didn't know. And I spent so much time absorbing all these different tips and techniques so that I could become better. In doing so, I ended up spending time trying to be some of YOU.

I got crazy with the one light for a while.

I got crazy with the sun flare for a while.

I got crazy with urban grunge for a while.

I got crazy with overhead shots for a while...

And the list goes on...

But in the end, what I realized was that, in my quest to be everything I saw on here, I was losing out on what was in my OWN mind. In 2008, I felt like I was getting back to my roots... roots that weren't based in things I saw on here... but things I thought up all on my own. Not that they were totally original (there's nothing new under the sun)... but they weren't directly "inspired by" others. I just looked at what was in front of me... and I tried to make the best of it.

Don't get me wrong... being on here and seeing what others do is really vital to our growth as photographers. But if we find ourselves looking too much like someone else, then we're not doing ourselves any favors. I don't want to be a copy of someone else. I want to be me.

So, I just want to encourage all of us on here... learn from what you see and read... but then take it and see how it fits with who YOU want to be. You started getting into photography because YOU were creative... YOU had ideas... if you see something on here that makes you go "wow... I love that!"... then take it and change it up before you attempt it for yourself. See what you can do to make it your own. Don't try to copy it and then end up with a lesser imitation... twist it up and use the technique in a new and creative way.

Those are my thoughts... just wanted to share them.

Jan 03, 2009 at 12:57 AM

thethinkcouch
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

amen sister!

//ed

Jan 03, 2009 at 01:02 AM

tmiller
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Post of the year... so far. ;o)

Love ya Mel!

-tmiller

Jan 03, 2009 at 01:12 AM

louloulou
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Thank you for your post. 100% agree! I feel since coming on here I've been over influenced - not that its a bad thing as you say, but as you say its your own style and ideas that are what matters most.

(edited because I made bad grammatical errors. They aren't so bad now.)

Edited on Jan 03, 2009 at 01:24 AM · View previous versions

Jan 03, 2009 at 01:23 AM

Tony Hoffer
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

unblinkable wrote:
if you see something on here that makes you go "wow... I love that!"... then take it and change it up before you attempt it for yourself. See what you can do to make it your own. Don't try to copy it and then end up with a lesser imitation... twist it up and use the technique in a new and creative way.

I wish we could put quotes as signatures because that would be mine.

Jan 03, 2009 at 01:23 AM

ksmahgrts
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

BRAVO mel - fabulous post. really resonates with me and should be required reading here

Jan 03, 2009 at 01:23 AM

mineymole
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Thanks unblinkable.

Jan 03, 2009 at 01:38 AM

thethinkcouch
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #8 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Tony Hoffer wrote:
unblinkable wrote:
if you see something on here that makes you go "wow... I love that!"... then take it and change it up before you attempt it for yourself. See what you can do to make it your own. Don't try to copy it and then end up with a lesser imitation... twist it up and use the technique in a new and creative way.

I wish we could put quotes as signatures because that would be mine.

mine too.

//ed

Jan 03, 2009 at 02:09 AM

unblinkable
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

thethinkcouch wrote:
Tony Hoffer wrote:
unblinkable wrote:
if you see something on here that makes you go "wow... I love that!"... then take it and change it up before you attempt it for yourself. See what you can do to make it your own. Don't try to copy it and then end up with a lesser imitation... twist it up and use the technique in a new and creative way.

I wish we could put quotes as signatures because that would be mine.

mine too.

//ed

Spoken like the most replicated guy in photography history.

Jan 03, 2009 at 02:30 AM

Evan Baines
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Great post Mel! 100% Agreed!

Jan 03, 2009 at 02:57 AM

adcphotography
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

that's the challenge of the year.
thank you, melanie.

Jan 03, 2009 at 02:58 AM

surfcat
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Bravo!!!!! This is the biggest inspiration to date. Thank you!

Jan 03, 2009 at 04:41 AM

squeaky_clean
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #13 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Preach on!

So very true, and something I think all of us could stand hearing to some extent or another.

Thanks, Mel!

Jan 03, 2009 at 04:43 AM

DavidWEGS
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Well rounded thoughts and one of the few truly helpful posts I have seen in a while.

Perhaps some of the "look how good I am" posters could give a bit more, versus the self affirmation and stroke my ego posts...

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jan 03, 2009 at 04:47 AM

scott shoemake
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Rad post. This is something I try to tell everyone, BE YOURSELF!

Jan 03, 2009 at 05:27 AM

radioblurs
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

that's why everybody loves you, mel-you're so honest (well, that's just one thing we love about you

)-maybe 2009 will be an even more original year if FMers follow this advice...-great post BTW

daniel

Jan 03, 2009 at 06:12 AM

lindabrowne
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #17 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

Well said, and I agree with everyone else, BUT...

It seems that 2008 is the year you become you. Balancing family, a growing business, many brides, opening the Best New Studio of the Year, hiring and training employees and STILL expanding on your creative learning curve Throughout all your work (even the one-light, sunflare, etc.) there is something that is very much you.

You may have went crazy with some things, but I see that as your passion coming through! Did you enjoy those at the time? Did your brides like it? Did it in the long run bring you further into being a very well-rounded proficient photographer?

Some go nuts with close-ups, cut off heads, ring shots or numerous other cliches. For many they remain cliches while others bring them beyond that. Never once have I looked at one of your series or images and thought -- "Hey! That's (insert another amazing photog's name) shot!" Maybe I was just missing the connection and some of those great photog's were feeling ripped off by you?

I have a feeling I'm going to be creating a lot of cliched images this year. I won't be trying to do that, but there's a good chance it's going to happen as I progress. I'm sincerely not trying to rip someone off or find a shortcut, but rather finding the way into my own style.

Thank you again, Melanie. For your inspiring work and this fanstastic post.

So, I just want to encourage all of us on here... learn from what you see and read... but then take it and see how it fits with who YOU want to be.
........... Don't try to copy it and then end up with a lesser imitation... twist it up and use the technique in a new and creative way.

Edited on Jan 03, 2009 at 07:41 AM · View previous versions

Jan 03, 2009 at 07:00 AM

saucyone
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

I read your post and let out a huge sigh because it clicked for me. I look at all of the great photos here day after day discouraged because I'm not at that level and think wow that's something I don't know if I'll ever be able to do. Then when I measure my own work to some on here I get a little down because I'm not there. But you made me realize I don't have to be able to do what someone else does I have to perfect what I do. Although all the inspiration does help!! Thanks!!

Jan 03, 2009 at 07:29 AM

Sam Hassas
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #19 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

I'm tired of everybody using my Rick-Roll idea. MINE!

True words Mel. Agree here with what being said. If were not careful, FM could become a breeder of similar photographers. There is an amazing sense of loyalty to specific corners here at our forum. Example: We hate Fong products, Love Joe Demb. If it aint Canon or Nikon it's crap. Selective color is of the devil. EVERYONE owns 3 sb-24 and at least 2 pocket wizards. You shoot more narrower then 2.8??!!! OMG!!

When everyone uses the same products, adopts the same PP techniques, poses, lighting tricks and harvest the same pool of textures we will result in similar portfolios of work. Some of our similarities aren't easily avoided. Others are blatant copies. whats the solution? Not sure. That said I do have an interesting story:

I had the privilege of shooting a family with Pingol 2 weeks ago. (His client, not mine: http://edpingol.blogspot.com/2008/12/marquez-family-ritz-carlton-half-moon.html ) In short, the man is a savage. Clicked with the family VERY well. He made them feel like a million bucks. About half way through the session I realized I was about to be let in on a secret recipe of some of Ed's brilliance. How he gets the dynamic images etc. He saw a look of amazement on my face and looked at me and said, "don't worry bro, I'll show you".
I was very excited. Towards the end of the session we were intercepted from a lunch break by our self's as was planned. The family graciously invited us to have lunch with THEM. I DID NOT want to join them but they were insistent and it would have been rude not too. (plus it was at the Ritz Carlton and we were having Kobe beef

) We had lunch and never had our "revelation" session together. I was bummed.

I've thought of that many times since then and have come to this conclusion. Ed, I don't want to know the recipe! The right thing happened. The man behind the curtain needed not be to be revealed. I am me. Ed is Ed. Thank you my friend for being so cool and more then willing to share. As it sits, I'm content without knowing how the magic trick is preformed. Besides, it's your act, not mine. Respect.

~Sam

Jan 03, 2009 at 08:40 AM

Marie-Louise
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · 2009 | The Year I Become ME

How well spoken of everyone.

Marie-Louise

Jan 03, 2009 at 11:43 AM

1 2 3 end
FM Forums \| Wedding Photographer \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 end