Emulating another photographer's idea

[Saltwater Servitude]

Here's the thing, I ran across another photographer's/MUA's idea for a shot on MM and love it. I want to replicate it with my own twist because it's pretty unique, or at least the concept is for me.

If you're that photographer/MUA, what does that say to you when you see someone doing almost the exact same shot you did, that was (probably) your original idea?

Pissed? Honored?

Hacked off that someone stole your idea and ran their own direction with it?

Impressed that someone thought your work so inspiring that they wanted to try it themselves?

Somewhere in between or a crap shoot reaction dependent on the original photographers/MUA's personality?

[Stargazer77517]

I personally wouldnt have a problem with it. Like you stated, put your own twist on it.

[J Eddington]

There is really nothing new, in this day and age. Go for it.

[Redneck]

Honored.
I believe there is not a single photographer in the whole wide world who hasn't done it.

[srwatters]

I do it ALL the time. Although mostly from dead photographers, so I can call it art.

[Some Idiot]

What's the idea?

[Saltwater Servitude]

Originally Posted by srwatters

I do it ALL the time. Although mostly from dead photographers, so I can call it art.

Could you go ahead and fake your death? I like a lot of your work.

Originally Posted by Some Idiot

What's the idea?

http://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos...a6f78af7de.jpg

That shot, minus the model with English/Michael Strahan teeth. I was thinking of doing it with a bit more on the chin, but running a pattern of yellow through it from bottom right to top left. I was also going to use an orange and purple or yellow/blue combo to really have it jump off the screen.

You can buy colored sand online, and I think Hobby Lobby sells a dye/paint kit for doing sand art inside of bottles.

Just something about using the sand in that manner really intrigued me.

[texxter]

If you're that photographer/MUA, what does that say to you when you see someone doing almost the exact same shot you did, that was (probably) your original idea?

It says to me that the guy copying me doesn't seem to have the imagination or the willingness to put in the effort to come up with his own ideas. I would not be pissed or honored, but I would just shake my head.

[srwatters]

I suppose it depends on how much of an 'exact' copy you intend to make the image. If an artist believes they have never used another image as inspiration, I think they perhaps are kidding themselves. In fact I would be willing to bet, with very few exceptions, prior art of some kind exists for any photograph made today. Extend that to painting, movies, or pretty much any art. We are the sum of our experiences. Of course YMMV.

[zachary]

Originally Posted by srwatters

I suppose it depends on how much of an 'exact' copy you intend to make the image. If an artist believes they have never used another image as inspiration, I think they perhaps are kidding themselves. In fact I would be willing to bet, with very few exceptions, prior art of some kind exists for any photograph made today. Extend that to painting, movies, or pretty much any art. We are the sum of our experiences. Of course YMMV.

I agree with this. I'd be lying if I didnt give credit to cartier bresson as my inspiration. Not saying im anywhere near as good as him, but I think of his work when im taking pictures.

[texxter]

In my personal opinion, the difference between "doing almost the exact same shot you did", which is what the OP is asking about, and photographers being inspired by other photographers' work is more than a matter of degree. As Scott stated, and is obvious, creation feeds on previous creation. But to take an image and replicate identically is no inspiration, it is copy. No more than a copy of a painting done by a student to learn. There is no creation and no inspiration. If it is done to learn technique, that's fine, it's just practice. But if it is done instead of one's own vision, well, it's just your copying someone else idea.

The reality is that many photographers do more copying than morphing their inspiration with their own vision to truly create. Nothing wrong with that - most Chinese restaurants have food that tastes almost the same and we still pay for it. There are chefs that create food inspired by others which tastes uniquely fresh and different.

[J Eddington]

Some times when you copy, you are learning, learning how to get the right lighting, pose, etc. I think what is important is what you do AFTER you get the copy. Copying can be a great learning experience. Now that you made the copy can you now make it your own?

[suerenee]

He copied that from America's Next Top Model. They did almost the same shot once a few cycles back. Like they have said...not many new ideas out there.

I wouldn't use sand. Get some loose eye shadow from Ulta or Sephora. It will have better color and will be finer to spread on her face. Plus it won't hurt her (much) if it gets into her eyes or mouth.

[Saltwater Servitude]

Originally Posted by suerenee

He copied that from America's Next Top Model. They did almost the same shot once a few cycles back. Like they have said...not many new ideas out there.

I wouldn't use sand. Get some loose eye shadow from Ulta or Sephora. It will have better color and will be finer to spread on her face. Plus it won't hurt her (much) if it gets into her eyes or mouth.

THAT'S where I've seen it before. I'm wanting the heavy grains of the sand though. That's what drew me to the image in the first place.

Good point on there not being many, if any, new ideas out there. In my creative writing class this past fall, we read an article/excerpt from an author who said that all the original ideas for plot and storyline were used up and there were now only new ways to express them. I think it was written in the 1850's. Another writer/critic said that of every piece of fiction ever written, it could be distilled down into one of 33 plots, and that was written in the 1930's. Another quote I came across in Sol Stein's "Stein on Writing" said that every story was one of two things; a character goes on an adventure, or a stranger comes to town.

Originally Posted by texxter

In my personal opinion, the difference between "doing almost the exact same shot you did", which is what the OP is asking about, and photographers being inspired by other photographers' work is more than a matter of degree. As Scott stated, and is obvious, creation feeds on previous creation. But to take an image and replicate identically is no inspiration, it is copy. No more than a copy of a painting done by a student to learn. There is no creation and no inspiration. If it is done to learn technique, that's fine, it's just practice. But if it is done instead of one's own vision, well, it's just your copying someone else idea.

The reality is that many photographers do more copying than morphing their inspiration with their own vision to truly create. Nothing wrong with that - most Chinese restaurants have food that tastes almost the same and we still pay for it. There are chefs that create food inspired by others which tastes uniquely fresh and different.

The idea is to copy it exactly to get a feel for the process that he used to create the image, and then see what I can do with the knowledge gained via the process. Same way an aspiring painter would copy a piece done by one of the Masters to get a feel for it.

I've got a few ideas already running about in the head for using the colored sand in bodyscapes, and in a few other creative uses on the face.

This does bring up a point though, at what time does it become just another useful way to colorize the skin? People use feathers, sequins, beads, candy crystals, paint, and any number of things in artistic portraits. This guy replicated a shot he saw on TV using sand. I've got an idea for using crushed brick as accents on the face, including bricks woven into the hair.

Its not a lack of creativity, at least I hope its not or my venture into further my ability is going nowhere fast, but it's a hands on educational tool. The quintessential, "In theory I can do it, but in practice can I really?" exercise.