I’m pretty sure we were all born originals. Great … now hold that thought!
Some time ago I wrote an entry called Make Your Pictures Stand On Their Own. I talked about an interview I had read of social documentary and street photographer John Free. There’s a lot that can be taken from it.
Free said “I think that the three most important and also difficult forms or types of photography, is social documentary, photojournalism and fine art street photography, which was called straight photography when I started. I think that the difference between them is rather simple to understand. In photojournalism, six photographs with captions might be required. Social documentary photography requires 25-50 photos, which are each supported by a caption or short story. In street photography, it all must be done with one photograph and with no caption to help explain what cannot be seen. No caption and no posing, make street photography the most difficult form of photography that I have ever been involved with. My professional work in social documentary photography was very helpful in teaching myself how to get closer to the subject. Closer in many ways, not just where I stand, but how I can convey my feelings about a subject in my photograph of that subject. To bring as much life and understanding into the image, in order for the viewer to better understand the image.”
Free focuses on the areas of photography that are of interest to him, but as we all know there are many genres and styles of photography beyond that of photojournalism, social documentary and street photography – landscape, architecture, and portraiture to name those we may be most familiar with. The key is to be yourself for whatever photograph you make. Don’t think about what category your picture falls under, or whether you could somehow emulate someone else’s work.
I’m pretty sure almost every type of picture has now been made in some manner.
Who cares?
Unfortunately, in today’s world there is great pressure to do “something different” and “unique” otherwise you will be seen as derivative and passé. Sad. I don’t think you want to focus on being different. Your pictures might become really large mediocre junk … just like much of what you see in the current gallery scene.
In another entry I wrote, “I think it’s vitally important that our photographs be able to stand on their own as complete and self-contained personal statements. All of your creativity and vision must become dedicated and focused to ensure that the picture you make faithfully reproduces what you initially saw in your mind’s eye … and felt in your heart ….when you make a photograph it should be a personal and intense experience.”
Do that and your picture won’t be derivative … unless you deliberately set out to make it that way.
I’ve read that some people try to find Edward Weston’s and Ansel Adams’ tripod holes at Point Lobos and Yosemite. Now that’s being derivative and a complete waste of time. The results will only be cliché. Do that and you’re a bozo. Time to hang it up and do something else.
No – the photograph should be yours. Actually, it must be yours! It doesn’t matter if someone’s been there before or made a similar picture. Nothing will be the same as your picture because no one felt like you did, saw what you did, and cared like you did during that fleeting moment in time when you clicked the shutter … unless you’re trying to copy someone else.
So be yourself and make your picture! It will be an original, just like you!
Stay safe,
Michael