asimsoofi wrote:
[...]
It would be a waste to question the OP's motivation though, but rather better to try and understand it. It is after all a genuine thought on his/her part, something they are struggling to understand and by posting here, is merely reaching out in his/her own way. Looking past what appears to be jealousy, I believe he/she is looking for some accountability from those the OP may feel receive praise for their work. He/she has set a high level of expectation from himself, and feels others should demand the same. Unfortunately, consciousness is just as difficult to define as the escape of originality; we will never know enough to define either.
At the end, it may be just a personal dilemma that we all face in our lives; recognition. How can anyone be praised, when his or her work is truly not original, yet more inspired or imitated?
excellent thoughts asim. the intent of my post was not to call out the OP but to emphasize the importance of being GENUINE while discussing this topic.
in the OPs first two posts in this thread he/she addresses authenticity (copying) and then in his first reply talks about the "sickening" "hero worship" and "unjustified" "praise". essentially, the OP is looking at the FM culture and saying "this place is full of unoriginal photographers who pat themselves on the back for being uninspired."
either the OP speaks from experience as a member of the group but chose to hide behind a new anonymous username OR the OP is really new and made the remarks uninformed, after a few hours of observation. either way seems to me just an ineffective stirring of the pot. and then to call people who don't embrace his/her point of view "defensive" - c'mon. we could all do without the self-righteousness.
i've always maintained that honesty in feedback is a wonderful thing. what am i doing that really works and in what areas can i improve? i believe the folks that offer WOWs and pats on the back to work they appreciate are doing it genuinely.
instead of ranting about how the "worshipers" are clueless and those "heroes" aren't as good as people make them out to be, why not offer some constructive criticism of the work? contrary to the OPs belief critical feedback is indeed a part of the culture of this forum (see Spencer's** TTD thread as a recent example)
be who you are. say what you mean.
that doesn't mean we need to pass out our social security numbers and shoe sizes (or even name) but if one wants to speak with authority and truly is interested in seeing a positive change in the culture of this FM community (not just bitch about the state of affairs) one needs to do it honestly.
**edited because it was Spencer's TTD thread, not Evan's**
Tony Hoffer wrote:
It may not seem like a big deal to many, but when it happens to you, it gives you a sinking feeling... I have a local competitor/friend who has done similar and now I'm afraid that a bride would view us comparably when, if I'm honest, I don't think we are.
Really? I find this difficult to understand. I wish I could say that I was constantly emulated photographically, but I can't. However, there is another area I have some experience in.
Years ago I grew up playing baseball. I wasn't the best hitter, but I was the best fielder. At 13 I was told I had a guaranteed place on my high school varisty team. Part of what made me good was that many of the techniques I did fielding came naturally. Many, most of them even, were age old practices. However, a couple were not so common. The coaches in my leagues saw me doing the things I did and started teaching it. Within five years I could look back and see the fielding techniques being taught in the league change. MANY kids were now being taught to emulate me, although I wasn't given credit. (And there would have been no reason to give me credit, either)
I say all that to say this: seeing others emulating my style made me feel good. Better than good, actually. I don't think that anyone should complain when techniques are copied, because after all, techniques are broad strokes. When new techniques come around they ARE going to spread. No one credits the guy who first used off camera lighting lol.
However, I also agree that attempting to mimic a specific photograph start to finish is a lame way to go about any sort of photography, including wedding photography.
There IS a difference between technique and style. Mimicing technique isn't stealing at all, it's learning. Mimicing style... two thumbs down.
So the post said I would like critique on my images? You need to not hijack the thread and call people names. At no time did this thread have any images in it.
