1) You have nothing to worry about.
2) Thanks for this post, it opens peoples eyes about finding your own style. There is nothing wrong with trying to duplicate shots, however as it was said prior, make it your own.
Sam:
You should be thankful, as it sounds like you are. I love watching both yours and Ed's work. I get inspired by it and the last thing I would want to see are two people with differentiating styles converge into something similar!
Keep up the good work.
pees out homie.
Sam Hassas wrote:
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.
The times when I've taken pictures that were truly my own brainchild... born out of necessity or a light bulb over my head... these were the images that I loved more than anything. I want that feeling every time I click the shutter.
Early on, there were times when I tried to mimmick something I saw on here. Either a pose or a set up... and for one reason or another, it just didn't work. What I realized was that I was trying to do something that I didn't first ENVISION in my own head. Without the ability to envision it, you just can't grasp what made it good. And if you can't grasp what makes it good, then it probably WON'T be good.
My goal this year is to avoid shooting what I can't see for myself. This doesn't mean I can't practice and step out on unknown ledges (to fail or succeed). It just means that I don't want to step out blindly... but INTENTIONALLY. And this means understanding WHY we're stepping out to begin with. Otherwise, I'll just have cheaper, imitation shots without purpose or emotion.
Great post, and agreed 100%. I think most of us have become reliant on this place for inspiration, and creativity. However, in doing so, we may sometimes lack the self confidence in doing our own thing... and in the process, end up copying others work, style, lighting, etc. Lately, this seem to be a trend, and we see more and more of the same from everyone else. I hope this year we see more work that is not only unique, but has it's own characteristics and individuality from everyone else. Thanks for the inspirational post.
I just started following the wedding threads here and while I am inspired and love many of the posted images, I don't want to make mine the same, I would feel that it's someone else's image.
I have a long way to go re learning, but I agree, it's more fun to make it your own.
Looking forward to your critique when I start posting
One thing I have found about forums is they are great for inspiration, but one can easily lose themselves amongst the inspiration they find in others, striving to achieve what we admire in someone else's work, and losing our own voice.
There is nothing wrong with studying the styles and techniques of others and incorporating them into your own style. We lawyers will frequently study the communication and speaking skills of well known orators and do the same. It is when you try and alter your personality that the trouble begins, because it is that personality that distinguishes you from all the others. And I believe photographers can have their personalities reflected in their work. In fact, I would submit that the greatest ones are the ones who do that the best.
How you incorporate some of the styles and techniques of others you admire into your own personality is the real challenge.
I think perspective can be lost when we look around at what others are doing. When we look inside we get the unique and different ideas our clients hired us for.
Sam Hassas wrote:
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.
Great post, Mel. I, too, am having a difficult time with this. I do think there is a difference between replication in order to learn and replication in order to ... replicate. This year I'm going to try to learn different techniques by replicating a few shots -- ads, mostly. But I hope that by learning techniques I can decide which I like and don't like, which work for me and don't. But all the while I need to be careful to work as myself. i'm so glad you posted this!
firstly, I see more than plenty of the same old shots around. I even like some of them. But the idea of shooting without aim (pun intended) seems pointless. IOW, seeking to explore your vision and asking yourself, honestly, if you like what you have shot/made.
I give myself limits when shooting: For instance, taking your position as a place to begin. Don't just look at what you shoot and select the best FL for this shot, make yourself move from the usual spot now and then. Get high, low, left or right and see new perspectives. Force yourself to pre-select a FL and then make your feet/brain work to frame the shot, provide new backgrounds and think more about your vision as you shoot.
BTW, nothing under the sun is new, its all just permutations of the same elements.
First off, Mel - thanks for sharing your thoughts. You've hit the nail on the head.
to Sam - thanks for sharing your story about shooting with Ed. It will most likely be one of those life stories you will never forget. Ever.
As for me, after my last Senior shoot back in October, I decided to stay off the forums to clear my head and get a better perspective on where my path will take me this year.
To everyone here on FM - Thank You for sharing - not only your images but also a part of yourselves. It's truly appreciated - it really is...
There are a couple of comments that I don't quite understand. So to clarify...
I love seeing what everyone shoots... and I love using it as a means to encourage ME to get better. I don't mind trying to see how something was accomplished, technically, because you never know when I'll be in a position to need to know it. I just don't want to try to recreate things... I want to opt to do shots in the moment because it's what the moment called for... either because of a vision I have for the day, or because the circumstances make it work.
What I see happen on here a lot (and what I've done in the past at times), is that we see a shot we like and we copy it with our own brides and grooms. Only, we're not GETTING IT. We're just DOING it. So it lacks emotion or purpose. Sometimes it may LOOK good... but it's still lacking from the original because it's not born out of the moment, but recreated because it was something that wow'ed us when WE saw it.
I can think of four or five examples off the top of my head that I've seen on here that prove this... not that I'm going to say what they are! I think we all know it's done. I really just want people to stop trying to be someone else when they shoot... and to really think - "Okay, I like this image I saw... will it work for this couple or will it look like a total set-up? Does it say what I want to say for this wedding? This bride? This situation? Or am I just copying because I can't be creative on my own? Do I even understand what made the image work to begin with? Or will it look really lacking when I do it? How can I take the technical aspect and re-use the lesson in a different way? Or how can I take the composition and re-use it in a varied way, technically?"
