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05/26/2006 09:58:14 PM · #1 |
Ok, I'm not very good at these follow-up threads, but this time I feel the lesson learned is so worth sharing...
Lately I've been in a real photography rut, still shooting like a madwoman, but not very inspired and my scores show it.
2 weeks ago I was introduced to and did a 7-person seminar with a very very very good photographer who inspired me like nobody's business. Her work is touching, emotional and beautiful in a very classic way.
So... with my new inspiration, I chose a favorite of her images and studied it and studied and studied. Using things she told us during the seminar and what I saw in the photograph I admired, I went to my studio and started trying things....
I learned TONS! I learned about using lighting to change the mood of the image, the slight nuances that make the light work with rather than against the image, the fine detail in every single gesture, etc. Now granted, I've surely not mastered her experience, however I do believe my attempt to emulate a style, while still preserving my own style has taught me soooo much more than using my tried and true techniqes again and again would have ever accomplished.
Moral of the story - find something you admire and figure out how it was done.... the work to get there will be a great learning journey.
This was my inspiration: by Sherri Ebert.
I saw it on her studio wall in 20X30 framed (no border). It is beautiful!!
And my homage to it.
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05/26/2006 10:05:10 PM · #2 |
i don't wish to offend- this should tell you whats comming-boy this is hard and i do it myself-and again please take this with a grain of salt-where is the fun!!!!!!!!!!!! no seriously what i want to say is i think you try too hard sometimes-you are well versed in what is proper but you don't always let yourself out know what i mean? |
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05/26/2006 10:09:24 PM · #3 |
Annie Leibovitz does this quite a bit, actually. Perhaps one of the secrets to her success, eh?
Article about Leibovitz's borrowing habits
Edited for accuracy and to add link to article.
Message edited by author 2006-05-26 22:17:17.
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05/26/2006 10:10:18 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by rider: you are well versed in what is proper but you don't always let yourself out |
OR... MORE NUDES!!! LOL Just kidding... :-P
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05/26/2006 10:11:57 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by rider: i don't wish to offend- this should tell you whats comming-boy this is hard and i do it myself-and again please take this with a grain of salt-where is the fun!!!!!!!!!!!! no seriously what i want to say is i think you try too hard sometimes-you are well versed in what is proper but you don't always let yourself out know what i mean? |
Never offended by well-intended opinions! :) I think our points of view do converge, though. You see, I let my creativity go - I love trial and error learning, but I suppose I just needed to see for myself that I can stretch farther and learn more so now I can be creative in a broader field.
Message edited by author 2006-05-26 22:12:22.
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05/26/2006 10:14:48 PM · #6 |
i think some of your shots in the 30 day thing would have beaten your port. challenge entry hands down!!!!!!! |
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05/26/2006 10:15:35 PM · #7 |
i really liked some of the face paint!! |
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05/26/2006 10:18:19 PM · #8 |
Thank you, Charles. I did learn a whole steaming wagon full during that 30 day adventure too! :)
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05/26/2006 11:19:49 PM · #9 |
OK, so I suck at "teaching" threads. I'll go back to learning. :)
Not sour grapes, just honest. I know I'm not great at teaching, for me its a feeling and I'm not great at describing it.
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05/26/2006 11:23:21 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by idnic: OK, so I suck at "teaching" threads. I'll go back to learning. :)
Not sour grapes, just honest. I know I'm not great at teaching, for me its a feeling and I'm not great at describing it. |
Well, I appreciate what you've said in this thread, and imitation is not merely the best form of flattery, it's also how any artist learns how to do anything. One can't possibly develop any kind of style without first emulating others' techniques, in my opinion. The great ones aren't born, they're made. ;) |
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05/27/2006 12:02:22 AM · #11 |
Duplicating the work of others is one of the most effective ways to learn. You need tools first before you can build your own house.
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05/27/2006 08:03:24 AM · #12 |
Well put, David. Small bumpy for the daylight mamals. :)
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05/27/2006 08:18:05 AM · #13 |
I find it hard too believe that you are in a rut i see your work and its great very creative, something i find i,ll never have so in say that be grateful for what you have, i admire all the work you photographers put in here and i hope i can just take something away from here too make me a better photographer reason i dont do much is ....THAT reason creativeness i cant see the image like you all can and when i try and this it looks so disgusting. |
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