Inspiration, emulation, incorporation...

[metagore]

I see this progression commonly in myself. I'm inspired by someone else's work. I then attempt to emulate the style or process. Once I've 'copied' the style or process successfully, the style or process usually works itself into my 'tool kit' and then morphs into 'my' variation of the style.

I do this as a musician and also as a photographer. And it might not always be a full blown effort to emulate, many times I find that I end up doing this subconsciously.

I will never be so proud to say that I don't attempt to copy someone's techniques, I definitely do. I believe that this is nothing more than 'adding more tools to my toolbox'. A guitarist's fretting and picking techniques do not write the song. A carpenter's tools don't make the cabinet. And a photographer's camera and processing techniques don't make the image.

Just thought I'd throw this out there. Someone had confronted me on another site about emulating a style of a couple other photographers. I had no problem admitting that I did. It's all part of growth.

[Gordon]

I read recently something along the lines of

'beginner photographers copy ideas'
'mature photographers steal'

This wasn't being said in a negative way either, it was I think stating that while we start out trying to emulate and imitate styles and ideas, that eventually you stop feeling bad about it and go all out to pinch every and all ideas you can get your hands on. Because you know full well that they will become your own or be done in your own particular way over time, as you mentioned.

The guy who suggested this approach is a magnum photographer, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say he might have a clue what he's talking about, or has at least given it some thought.

So I wouldn't worry about copying ideas - you can't fail to make them your own.

[CLfry]

Emulating other styles often leads to discovery of your own. For me, the hard part is figuring out how to emulate other styles, at least where processing is concerned... such as Mikes toning secrets :)

[srwatters]

All the 'original' ideas have been used up. We have no choice but to resort to borrowing or stealing components from other's work. The only way to be truly 'original' would be to grow up in a white cube with no interaction from any outside source. We are, simply put, the sum of our experiences.

I'm a huge proponent of nurture over nature, but that's a whole different debate

[metagore]

Yeah, I've never been worried about emulation/copying. I figured out about 15 years ago that this is what works for me. Even though I emulated other guitarists, when it came down to writing music the only thing in common was the technical skills I had gained through emulation... the songs sounded nothing like those I had admired and 'copied'.

I'd just never brought this up with other photographers before. I had a feeling that this was going to be common through all 'art' and felt a need to broadcast it.

The person that confronted me was actually someone that is just starting out in photography and frequently asks me for advice. The basic theme of the conversation was 'I've lost respect because you 'ripped' the style'. Eventually he came to understand my position and that it is perfectly acceptable to 'copy'. Once learned, our use of the techniques will be as unique as we are as people... as you said, you can't fail to make them your own.

[metagore]

Originally Posted by CLfry

Emulating other styles often leads to discovery of your own. For me, the hard part is figuring out how to emulate other styles, at least where processing is concerned... such as Mikes toning secrets :)

Hehe... they're super secret... the world will never know!!! *muhahahaha*

The toning I use on BW is either one of the TLR actions or a self made variation of them. http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/photoshop-tools.htm

Actions are great because not only do they automate the process, but you can dissect them to learn the technique and/or tweak them to make them your own.

Good to see you here Casey!

[TXhummer2]

We are, simply put, the sum of our experiences.

Which, I hope and pray, will NEVER end!

[CLfry]

Originally Posted by metagore

Hehe... they're super secret... the world will never know!!! *muhahahaha*

The toning I use on BW is either one of the TLR actions or a self made variation of them. http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/photoshop-tools.htm

Actions are great because not only do they automate the process, but you can dissect them to learn the technique and/or tweak them to make them your own.

Good to see you here Casey!

I come out of the shadows on rare occasion... unfortunately I lurk on too many forums to be active on any

[Daniel Bates]

I'm always looking at other photograpers' work and trying to figure out how exactly they made a given picture. It's helped my shooting quite a bit.