Need Help!!! - Does this look like Joey Lawrence?

04/27/2010 06:18:31 PM · #1

Hey all, I'm new to photography (4 months).

Joey Lawrence (whom many of you know) has a really unique style, and I love it!

I have learned many of his techniques, as his vision is really close to how I want my photographs to look. However, I do not want my photos to look like his, or a rip-off!

Does this picture look like a rip off of him? Any suggestions on how I can change it to create my own style?

I'm just really trying to find the right voice for me in photography, so any comments help!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURE

Thanks.

edit: Hyperlinked the picture link. Thanks

dahved.

Message edited by author 2010-04-27 18:26:05.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/27/2010 06:19:43 PM · #2

ps: How do I post pictures instead of putting in a website url?

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

04/27/2010 06:22:22 PM · #3

It looks nothing like Joey, he has more hair! ;)

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

04/27/2010 06:22:28 PM · #4

The Photo

If you pay to become a member, you can have a portfolio here.

I wouldn't say the photo looks like Joey Lawrence. He's a much younger man. ;-Þ

dahved

Canon EOS-50D

Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3,5-6,3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] macro for Canon

04/27/2010 06:22:45 PM · #5

Click on the "insert hyperlink" button up on top (3rd from right, looks like a little globe).

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

04/27/2010 06:23:32 PM · #6

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

Any suggestions on how I can change it to create my own style?

No. Only you can answer that question.

dahved

Canon EOS-50D

Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3,5-6,3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] macro for Canon

04/27/2010 06:26:09 PM · #7

Yeah, the subject of the photo looks like the same as in "Ignore,"

if that's what you mean as looking like Joey Lawrence, but I tend to think of his style as being the grunge look.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

04/27/2010 06:27:36 PM · #8

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

ps: How do I post pictures instead of putting in a website url?

the easiest way to post a Flickr thumbnail here is to use the Firefox browser, then install the Greasemonkey extension and add the All sizes + script.

(It also makes it easy to grab the HTML or BBcode for someone elses image)

You can also put the image in your portfolio and post a thumbnail on DPC, using the second icon from the right above the message box. Here's how:

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/27/2010 06:27:52 PM · #9

I mean his look as in post-processing. Like if my image were to be seen by someone who has seen Joey L's work, would they be like "Oh, it looks like Joey L's, so it must be his picture!"

I want to try and avoid that at all costs lol!

Does the picture I posted look like a unique style, or just a rip off of his style?

Thanks for all the comments already.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

04/27/2010 06:31:19 PM · #10

subject looks like Joey's but his are a lot more processed than yours.
Anyway, there is no real "ripping off" of styles, IMO - Joey wasn't the first, nor the last. Although he is among the best at that style.

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

04/27/2010 06:34:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

Does the picture I posted look like a unique style, or just a rip off of his style?

You're trying to emulate his style, so yes, in a manner of speaking, it resembles it because the subject is the same. It's even the same homeless person, believe it or not -- I worked downtown for nineteen years, and I know this guy from sight.

It isn't a rip-off in the sense that it's not as good. Joey's picture has impact because of the capture of emotion he's managed, and his use of processing -- kind of heavy-handed in those days in my opinion -- to bring the subject out. His picture definitely tells a story of downtown and broken men amongst the crowd. Your picture doesn't; it's just a picture of an unfortunate holding the door open with a Timmy's cup at the Eaton Centre.

If you want to develop your own style, don't just take pictures of what others have done that you like. Take pictures that mean something to you. What could that be?

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

04/27/2010 07:04:31 PM · #12

If you don't want to look like you're copying Joey, don't shoot the same guy.

Retroesque

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/27/2010 07:21:38 PM · #13

Drew,

I would never mistake it for Joey.

Joey's style is not unique but is certainly well crafted. I am impressed by Joey too.

However I would rather become who I am supposed to be as a photographer, than a second rate someone - GRIN!

My advice to someone starting out - is to study, study, STUDY ... LIGHT!

Joey is fantastic at lighting.

If you look at his image the mans face has the lovely lighting.

You image seems to have been taken in full sun - not so flattering and hard to correct in post processing.

If you haven't already I think you must take a long look at Strobist

It's an off camera lighting technique, that I think you'd like because it creates strong lighting compositions, which Joey is fantastic at.

There are many Strobist threads here at DPC and a great Flikr Strobist group.

For beginners - Lighting is your greatest lesson - once you have that down, the post processing will be much less necessary.

I'm sure once you've spent more time taking images and practising different techniques, your own personal style will develop.

Sure being influenced by someone is inspiring - but becoming YOU is even better.