Often I find similarities in my work with the work of the people I follow or with some of my favorites. I do not attempt to copy, and usually find the similarities only after I have posted. Does this happen to you? In what way?
I think its natural. I think any images we see are going to affect you to a point until you develop your own style. Which is part of the growth/learning/development.
Oh I copy their work. I tag them and let them know... honestly there is very little original thought in humans, almost everything is a reflection of our experiences... I have no set ways... if I see something I like I take little bits of it, learn it... remember how I did it... like this
totally based on @jinximages 'style' I liked it, thought I mess with it a bit... nothing I would get paid for... but I learned things... those change my 'style'
He knows I 'stole' his 'style' but we learn from each other... heck I stole this lighting style from Rembrant... I never told him... wonder if he is pissed?
I think that if you follow someone, you like his work. And as you want you to do the best work, it's natural that they can be a little bit similar. But of course I'm not talking about copying someone's work. I just mean to stay in the same mood and tone of the photo.
@lalola616http://www.flickr.com/photos/balakov/sets/72157602602191858/ so is this coping or creative use of lego? And if you didn't use lego, rather models... when does it become a copy? (sorry trying to stir some debate... long day at the office and I want something to check back on every once in a while...)
I don`t think the people I follow affect my style.Well,I`m sure it does affect me on a subconcious level,but so as any good photo I see.
But I don`t think I ever said to myself "hey,I love this photo,I`m going to try and take a very similar one".Usually I follow my instinct.
@icywarm Well you know, I think that everyone tries to be a little bit unique. So even if you "copy" someone's idea, the most of us would add to the picture something from their creativity.
I would say this is the most copies photo in the world of photos... everyone sees it and says I want to do that... same with the moon... yet we still do it... and we learn... (Hi Nicole dragged you into something you had nothing to do with... just first image that popped up in my search of the site.)
@icywarm Yep,that and moon shots. But I can say that so far I don`t feel the need to take one of those water-drop shots,and to be honest,all of them are boring.There`s just one person that I can think of,who can pull it off and the result is never boring (@niara),and that`s Nathalie Verbeken.
I did try out the moon-shot thing once,but only to see if I can pull it off with my lens and lack of tripod. And the result was lame.
Just to justify everyone who does this water-drop shot...
I made one to. But it was more just to find out how does it work, and to see if I'm able to do the same kind of shot. But I never posted it, it's to much cliché :)
@lalola616@spaceman but trying and getting lame results is ok... Martin... the next time there is a great fullmoon over the shoulder of a great model... you will know how to capture it...
Barbora, you will be off shooting a wedding and you will be able to capture the champaign pouring into a glass with the rings now... because one day you tried to do lame water photos...
It is about being able to see your subject and have a large variety of tools with which to best capture it.... if for say you only did HDR all day for every photo... you may not no how to set-up the lights for a shot that begs to be highlights and shadows....
@icywarm Post Modern art suggests that you are right nothing is new. Art is just a new riff on something that existed before it. If that is the case, artist can refer freely other artist's work. Even making a point of pride of it, like sampling. At what point do we turn other's work aside and try to make something new? Even if it is only new in the moment that it is created.
@lalola616 I think "Westerner's" often put too much emphasis on originality. In traditional cultures, repetition, copying, or paying homage to another artist is neccesary and often celebrated.
I try not to consciously copy anyone's work. I have chosen to follow people whose work is similar and people whom I can learn from. I do learn so much from looking at the work of others. There are some fantastic photos here!
@smapp When I sat on the discipline committee at university... 'paying homage' to other people's work in essays and on tests was something we struggled with for a number of Eastern students... they often made that case....
@icywarm Recreating in legos what was once reality is, I think, enough of a change. Legally and for many contests though there is a 60 percent rule, in that most of the work needs to be original. President Obama's Hope poster by Shepard Farley, just settled after years in court. The poster was based on an AP photography and Shepard just re created by simplyfing the image and turning it into a print.
@spaceman Instinct is important. Do you think professional writers ever unconciously copy sentences, either in structure, rythm, or wholesale, word for word. Does all of this change when money is involved?
@lalola616 That addition is key. It should be the least we should do. Honor someones work but bring something new to it. I like the idea that @icywarm talked about. Tagging the work with the person who influenced you.
@icywarm Right sometimes it is important to not be afraid of a common image. Maybe it could be seen as a challenge, to recreate the iconic image, to breath new life into it.
@icywarm Having a bag of tricks usually refers to equipment or technique. Here you are suggesting that a bag of tricks can also be full of motiffs. This would apply to the professional photographer as well as the amateur. I like it.
was a combination of great luck... Steve McCurry often says he didn't expect the print to be that great....
this is what cannot be copied... sure we can all take ports of girls in head dresses, but all of them will not be great... maybe one or two will be good. It is easy to copy style... but magic... that is unique to a photog....
@icywarm This is a huge issue in the states, particularily with business school. One one hand they are taught about teamwork and collaboration, but then are judged as individuals. And then there is the internet...
I have a friend who I do a lot of scenic photography with. We go out and always end up with shots very similar. Reason for that is we have similar eye for things. Its nothing to do with copying.. People on here inspire me.. to find out what I like, to discover what I can do with what I have and to better myself. I am in awe of so many photographers on this site. So if finding a photograph that inspires me to try a new technique on one of my own photos is classed as copying (I think its learning) then I'm guilty ;)
@icywarm Same motiff, same shot. This points to another large issue. When Renoir and Monet would paint the Seine, side by side, they would create different paintings. This was due to how they saw the world, their training, and just the choices they made.
@smapp "Honor someones work but bring something new to it." Absolutely, because there is no point od copying someone's work just like this.
As I was looking around 365, I found out that often people who had the most comments and followers where the ones which had small childrens. Because I thing that when you shoot a small kid, it's much easier t make a great photo, that everyone is going to like. Because they are naturely cute.
@smapp yes but Renoir and Money were both masters so they have a 'style and eye' most of us are finding that 'eye' every day... but I love shooting the same event with different photogs... Patrick, Douglas and I all shot the same evening... we all have radically different styles... here are some samples we had posted to share with each other....
@lalola616 I think out right copy is useful... it teaches you how to do something... and you repeat that over and over... until you can do it without thinking... than you learn the next skill, over and over and soon your personal prefs take over and it becomes you...
@icywarm As I was talking about shots with small childrens, you know I mean the mothers that are taking pictures of them everyday. Ok, they are cute, but they are always repeting the same thing.
You now, when I look at your pictures with your little boy, I can see something. I mean that there is an idea in the photo. That's what I'm missing in the childrens photos.
@lalola616 Thanks... I like to have a little story in my photos... that is personally what I strive for... thus the technic for me is secondary...
Yes... I proudly repeat... if I never see another child/sunset/mountaint/macro flower photo I would be ok... 365 is different because often these are photos that are part of people lives, thus have some meaning... but I often wonder about people who submit a portfolio of their best work... 1) Child at Play, 2) Marco of Flower, 3) Dripping water, 4) Engagement Couple Photo, 5) Sunset... and that is all...
@lalola616 I want to join the Professional Photographers Assoc of Canada... you need to submit 10 works... nothing written, no presentation the photos speak for themselves... I am not there yet... I think I have one photo that actually speaks to me... you need to pick one of 50ish 'types' of photos, glamour, wedding, advert, ect... I want to do Ports...
These are not final, nor do I think they are all good enough... many need some cleaning up.... but you need to show superior to an average photog... I would consider most of these average...
The people I follow and those that follow me are all so very different in their style and approach and I'd like to think mine differs from theirs too. I like to see what others do... it gives me something to try (not the same shot, but landscapes make me want to go outside more often and portraits make me want to photograph people).
I'm honored if someone adds to something that I've done... but I don't want to see your regurgitated version of the same photograph that I just shot two days ago. I do think that inevitably so there are going to be resemblances in photographs on the website. There are thousands of users and tens of thousands of photographs - I would imagine sooner or later, people are going to have similar ideas.
Hopefully, we all continue to remain creative and perhaps take a follower's photograph... and turn it into your own.
I like the sentiment Scott. We should all be able to learn, no matter our level or age. And part of that learning is using all sorts of sources, including each other.
The people I follow are either peole who are inturn following me or are people who I met/know becuase we are fans of the same american football team. If I see a photo I like I comment on it or favorite it. I don't think I have copied them and if they are some simularities it was becuase of my own eye seeing what they already saw.
@smapp - I could not agree more. I think first and foremost... the absolute best part of this site (that I personally utilize it for) is the learning experience. I enjoy the comments and camaraderie... but I'm here to better myself and my photography ability.
That means, I don't take offense to people using ideas or similar photos that I do... if I shoot a photo of a rainbow on Monday and on Tuesday, you shoot a photo of a rainbow. I'm hoping we have the ability to learn from each other, at least from a technical aspect. Perhaps you like the way my photo turned out? Or maybe I think your shot is "better" than mine. I think 365 is a great asset to these kind of discussions... I don't think it should necessarily be viewed as "copying"....?
@scottwong right + 1 to your comments... but if your rainbow from monday becomes my rainbow on tuesday... there is an issue... and that has been a very real problem on this site from time to time...(really the internet as a whole)
@smapp maybe it's just collective thinking..which is a pretty fascinating phenomenon.
I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to recreate someone elses photograph.....with your own added touches of course. It's one of the cool things about this site, learning from and being inspired by others
@lalola616 I joined this group just to do a daily shot of my kids, but I try to get something different & creative when I can.Sometimes it's late at night & I have to use whatever turned out the best . lol I'm a natural light amateur photog that is always growing & becoming!! :)
I copy all the time. Seriously. Usually an idea, or a way of lighting, or an angle I really find captivating and fresh. But I apply it to something else - usually an idea I already have but haven't been sure how to execute. Sometimes I'll apply it to one of my "staple" shots (the ones I do over and over, because they sell prints) to try to mix things up a bit. The thing is, I shoot a lot of people. And they all want something unique. Who doesn't? But invariably, they buy the same shots. So I have to do the same shots, over and over, but try to make each one just that bit different. I don't want clients who happen to be friends going through their albums and finding they're the same (barring the subjects). I can't let that happen. So I experiment, and also copy and integrate. And so I learn, and expand my repertoire. And most of the time, I stay true to my own style(s) in doing so.
Nothing wrong with copying.
However, I believe it is wrong to reproduce. In most cases, anyway. I don't look at a photo of a model, for example, and try to take exactly the same thing with one of my own models. I might use the pose, but I'll use different lighting, backgrounds, textures, framing, angle etc. There will be similarities (sometimes quite a few), but the photog I've "copied" won't look and say, "Hey! Jinx copied my photo!" They may recognise an influence, but they won't feel violated. ;)
With the photo at the top of the page, by Jordan @icywarm - I see the style resemblance, but I would never have thought of it as a "copy" in any way. In fact, I see it as very recognisably "Jordan Anderson" despite the departure from the way he normally shoots and (moreso) edits. It has his "signature". In my opinion, he has taken something he likes in something I've done, and has made it totally his own. I don't see me in it, but I do understand how the concept of it came from my work. For me, that's awesome, because we're two photographers helping each other grow.
I follow what I like, and so I just assume there will be some similarities in what I produce and what those I follow produce. But I also follow what I wish I could produce, and in that sense those I follow are inspirational for me.
The people I follow don't affect my work. I guess it's because my pictures are taken on a whim, whatever happens to be there when I have my camera out. I don't arrange anything together or set props up. Also, my post-processing is very different from others.
That's happened to me several times--usually with only one other person, oddly enough. I figure we're on the same wavelength or something! I used to stress about it big time, I didn't want anyone to think I copied. But now, I realize that there are SO many people on this site, it would be impossible not to repeat ideas.
I think I follow people who have a similar style and vice-versa naturally. The definitely give me ideas for my own shots when I am not feeling very creative.
I follow people for all sorts of reasons, sometimes it is something too personal to emulate, like the way they fit their humour with their images. I did say to Clarissa (FaerieMoon) I wish I could find an equivalent to her gargoyle - a brilliant idea of hers for those 'can't think of what to photograph' moments, when she stages very amusing shots of her 'action' gargoyle . However, her wit is as sharp as a diamond and so if I tried to do the same it would fall flat.
There is a horse pic that Heather (pixelchix) did, the black looking out of a herd of nearly all white that I would love to emulate but that is impossible to set up with wild horses. I would never say I was so original that all the ideas were my own - besides I have tried out lots of things I haven't done before since starting 365, so that must be inspired by what I am collectively seeing others here do. If I ever did do my own version of another 365ers image, I would be sure to acknowledge that, and I can't remember having to do that yet, but I am sure it will.
@1invisiblegrl Also if you get a group to guess how much a cow weighs, or how many jelly beans are in a jar you will get a variety of answers. But if you average them out you often get a number close to the truth.
@jinximages Thanks JInx. So many good things in your comment. The idea of a partnership or collaboration is always a good topic. You can learn from each other or even collaborate on projects. What happens though if there is a falling out or the friendship changes? What if your friend uses some of your ideas on another project. The history of art , and the history of music is full of stories like this.
Two money and business changes everything. If you have a follower who borrows some ideas and they show up in pictures that look like yours, in the confines of 365 maybe its OK. What if it shows up in a print? Then most people have a problem.
In short context matters.
@cindyisboring Interesting point. We have talked about photography as if it is one thing but today it is several things, finding, composing, the equipment, timing and processing. Each of these things could be affected by other people. You could use one persons shot and process with anothers ideas.
One way to learn is to imitate and I guess that I am, like many other, consciously or unconsciously influenced by those I follow.
There are several subject that I found myself attracted to and noticed here and in other places that I am not original at all – chairs spiders, shoes, windows' sunrise or sun set, flowers of course and birds of course and cats, to name only few. I wonder why and what they mean and might research this a little deeper.
There are so many members now here it is difficult to be original and I am not sure this is the most important quality in a photo. Not for me at least.
@yoelao Good idea to question yourself. Why do we like what we like? Why are we drawn to certain subject matter or themes? Is it important to challenge our notations about our own art?
i think Jinx (@jinximages ) summed it up nicely. There's a difference between using an element of a photo in one of your own and reproducing someone's photo exactly.
For example, I really liked this shot by @vikdaddy
The bit I really liked was the lighting and the textures, so I tried to use the same idea in my own photo.
It didn't turn out like his at all, but it was something I probably wouldn't have thought of trying without seeing his photo first and I'm really proud of the result I got.
I think that using other people's images to learn from so you can develop your own skills is great and I'd be honoured if someone would look at my photo and be inspired. Having said that though, I think that it would be nice if people would aknowledge that if that's what they have done. Apart from anything else, it's good manners. :-)
I once said to somebody on here that plagiarism is a requisite of photography. I still believe it is, as long as you don't imitate everything! I think we borrow elements from scores of photos we see all the time, whether consciously nor not.
It seems that the issue is that photography is on a continium. On one end is complete originality and on the other is stealing. Our work lies on different parts of the line. Sometimes only we are aware of our place on the continium and sometimes in the pro/ business world others point out where we are and you can end up in court like shepard fairey.
@smapp so far, I have not yet had chance to work with someone whom I really admire, but I was inspired by someone after I started working with him, maybe not in terms of style of the work (I had my own tastes) but more in terms of working habit or working style
@edvardt It is a challenge to find someone to play tennis with so it makes sense that finding someone tomcollaborate with on an art project would be at least as difficult. I am interested in platforms like 365, that could break down some barriers to such a collaboration.
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totally based on @jinximages 'style' I liked it, thought I mess with it a bit... nothing I would get paid for... but I learned things... those change my 'style'
He knows I 'stole' his 'style' but we learn from each other... heck I stole this lighting style from Rembrant... I never told him... wonder if he is pissed?
But I don`t think I ever said to myself "hey,I love this photo,I`m going to try and take a very similar one".Usually I follow my instinct.
I would say this is the most copies photo in the world of photos... everyone sees it and says I want to do that... same with the moon... yet we still do it... and we learn... (Hi Nicole dragged you into something you had nothing to do with... just first image that popped up in my search of the site.)
I did try out the moon-shot thing once,but only to see if I can pull it off with my lens and lack of tripod. And the result was lame.
I made one to. But it was more just to find out how does it work, and to see if I'm able to do the same kind of shot. But I never posted it, it's to much cliché :)
Barbora, you will be off shooting a wedding and you will be able to capture the champaign pouring into a glass with the rings now... because one day you tried to do lame water photos...
It is about being able to see your subject and have a large variety of tools with which to best capture it.... if for say you only did HDR all day for every photo... you may not no how to set-up the lights for a shot that begs to be highlights and shadows....
The happy face is a classic example...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4984138.stm
was a combination of great luck... Steve McCurry often says he didn't expect the print to be that great....
this is what cannot be copied... sure we can all take ports of girls in head dresses, but all of them will not be great... maybe one or two will be good. It is easy to copy style... but magic... that is unique to a photog....
I would argue one is better than the other... but both are the same image...
As I was looking around 365, I found out that often people who had the most comments and followers where the ones which had small childrens. Because I thing that when you shoot a small kid, it's much easier t make a great photo, that everyone is going to like. Because they are naturely cute.
link
You now, when I look at your pictures with your little boy, I can see something. I mean that there is an idea in the photo. That's what I'm missing in the childrens photos.
Yes... I proudly repeat... if I never see another child/sunset/mountaint/macro flower photo I would be ok... 365 is different because often these are photos that are part of people lives, thus have some meaning... but I often wonder about people who submit a portfolio of their best work... 1) Child at Play, 2) Marco of Flower, 3) Dripping water, 4) Engagement Couple Photo, 5) Sunset... and that is all...
All of them are stereotypes, yeah ;)
I may be a little bit curious, but could you do your list of 5 best works from your album?
the start of my portrature is:
Hopefully, we all continue to remain creative and perhaps take a follower's photograph... and turn it into your own.
That means, I don't take offense to people using ideas or similar photos that I do... if I shoot a photo of a rainbow on Monday and on Tuesday, you shoot a photo of a rainbow. I'm hoping we have the ability to learn from each other, at least from a technical aspect. Perhaps you like the way my photo turned out? Or maybe I think your shot is "better" than mine. I think 365 is a great asset to these kind of discussions... I don't think it should necessarily be viewed as "copying"....?
Just my two pennies.
I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to recreate someone elses photograph.....with your own added touches of course. It's one of the cool things about this site, learning from and being inspired by others
Nothing wrong with copying.
However, I believe it is wrong to reproduce. In most cases, anyway. I don't look at a photo of a model, for example, and try to take exactly the same thing with one of my own models. I might use the pose, but I'll use different lighting, backgrounds, textures, framing, angle etc. There will be similarities (sometimes quite a few), but the photog I've "copied" won't look and say, "Hey! Jinx copied my photo!" They may recognise an influence, but they won't feel violated. ;)
With the photo at the top of the page, by Jordan @icywarm - I see the style resemblance, but I would never have thought of it as a "copy" in any way. In fact, I see it as very recognisably "Jordan Anderson" despite the departure from the way he normally shoots and (moreso) edits. It has his "signature". In my opinion, he has taken something he likes in something I've done, and has made it totally his own. I don't see me in it, but I do understand how the concept of it came from my work. For me, that's awesome, because we're two photographers helping each other grow.
There is a horse pic that Heather (pixelchix) did, the black looking out of a herd of nearly all white that I would love to emulate but that is impossible to set up with wild horses. I would never say I was so original that all the ideas were my own - besides I have tried out lots of things I haven't done before since starting 365, so that must be inspired by what I am collectively seeing others here do. If I ever did do my own version of another 365ers image, I would be sure to acknowledge that, and I can't remember having to do that yet, but I am sure it will.
Two money and business changes everything. If you have a follower who borrows some ideas and they show up in pictures that look like yours, in the confines of 365 maybe its OK. What if it shows up in a print? Then most people have a problem.
In short context matters.
There are several subject that I found myself attracted to and noticed here and in other places that I am not original at all – chairs spiders, shoes, windows' sunrise or sun set, flowers of course and birds of course and cats, to name only few. I wonder why and what they mean and might research this a little deeper.
There are so many members now here it is difficult to be original and I am not sure this is the most important quality in a photo. Not for me at least.
For example, I really liked this shot by @vikdaddy
The bit I really liked was the lighting and the textures, so I tried to use the same idea in my own photo.
It didn't turn out like his at all, but it was something I probably wouldn't have thought of trying without seeing his photo first and I'm really proud of the result I got.
I think that using other people's images to learn from so you can develop your own skills is great and I'd be honoured if someone would look at my photo and be inspired. Having said that though, I think that it would be nice if people would aknowledge that if that's what they have done. Apart from anything else, it's good manners. :-)