I have run into the problem a couple of times. One was with a friend, and fellow nature photographer. I photographed a group of beautiful little spring ferns growing up through a bead of fallen rhododendron blooms. The dense bed of fallen blooms was of my doing. I made this photo. When I left my friend stated to the group that he was go to shoot the in this area. He did but he shot that same “exact” shot! I know this because he put it on his photo stock site. After noticing this I nicely asked him to think about what he had done and remove the photo. I had published it in my Blue Ridge Parkway book. By the way, it was brought to my attention from a buyer of my book when I received an email asking why I had a photo of this photographer in my book and wanted to know why I didn’t credit him.

There is another photo that I took up on the Roan many years ago, with the blooming rhododendrons and the three large rocks protruding into the scene from the LLC. This is now the most photographed location on Roan.

It’s a fine line we walk! I try to make my workshop students understand how important it is to make their own photos and find their own style. But it’s really hard to see how a professional photographer can copy a photo and try to sell it on their own site as their own design and style. Especially when he’s a friend

Jerry Greer
http://jerrydgreer.wordpress.com/

In short I see eye to eye with you on this point.

For one I always try to bring my own creative perspective to a subject I photograph whether it is an iconic location photographed a million times or one that is being photographed for the first time.

Second when with with other photographers I try to be attentive to their activities so as to not crowd their space or style. The last thing I want is to put my tripod legs in the holes of another photographer and I certainly don’t want others doing the same to me.

Third when in the shadow of a a great photographer from yesteryear at an iconic location I’ll aim to capture a unique interpretation of the scene, but often after capturing that iconic shot as I’ve seen it before. Why do this? For me it is a way of paying my respects and using it as a stepping stone to applying my own interpretation. In these instances only my vision ever sees the light of day.

Fourth like you I will never give out the exact recipe. I don’t mind putting people on the right track as doing so will always require the person to discover their own path and vision.

I have to also add that my viewpoint on this transcends to artists in other mediums reproducing my photographs.

I am curious though when in a workshop setting how do you address your opinion on this matter to the inquirer? Also settings and perspective to capture a photograph are one thing, but how do you feel about others reproducing a particular style (think post-processing)?

I have had this same conversation with two eminent British photographers (and noted workshop leaders), one of whom is known for his work in the ‘intimate-landscape’ genre, and they expressed pretty much the same opinion.

I think it’s a form of plagiarism and displays a chronic lack of ambition. Most of us are into photography because it is a form of self-expression but if your only form of expression is in copying the work of others then what does that say about you as a photographer?

In any case, it’s a far more satisfying challenge to put your own stamp on a location and use the prevailing conditions to your advantage (whatever they might be) in order to create something really unique and personal. To do otherwise is, at best, not being true to yourself.

Julian.

Anyway, hope you are offering workshops this fall in Torrey, would love to get over.

Paul

That’s true, it’s different to copying another image, even idea, I suppose. I was just thinking in more general terms, of making images that aren’t so individual. I think copying another image is fine for practice – for example, I’ve sat down and learned guitar pieces and flute pieces note-for-note, best I can, and I do love playing those riffs and licks and phrases, even tunes, but I also realize the value is not in reproduction, it’s in what they teach me – and what I find they inevitably teach me is the language – then it’s up to me to say something worth listening to (which happens all to rarely).

That said, for example, one of Eric Clapton’s solos when he was in the band Cream, to a song called Strange Brew, is note for note a solo by Albert King (crosscut saw) – so imitation can indeed stand as flattery – again, it goes back, for me, to the depth of his work .. Clapton’s work stands alone just fine, and doesn’t rest on any single piece, so his copying that particular solo is nothing more than respect.

Overall, don’t worry about it bro.

A slice of the desert would be nice. But I think the temperature inversion would kill me.

Cheers

Carl

Paul, you do have a distinct style. I can generally pick your images easily, and not just by subject matter. Your love for the place and personal connection with it comes through in every one.

Guy

Anyways, I think anyone who respects a shot will naturally ask about it and that is good, but if they respect it, they should respect some trade secrets as well.

For me, it probably has to do with the depth of someone’s work more than a specific example. Is their portfolio a mass of icons and copies, or a bunch of images I’ve never heard of and one that looks familiar. And it depends a little (to me) on the subject matter.

I remember shooting grizzly bears one time at Brooks River, Katmai NP, and there were about 7 photographers, including myself, lining up with this one bear. When the bear lifted it’s head the cameras roared into action, sounding like a gattling gun (I guess, I’ve never actually heard a gattling gun). I saw the photos from one of my friends a few years later, and a number of them were almost identical to what I, and obviously a bunch of others) had .. I mean, looking at the slides, they could’ve been my photos. I don’t see that as a problem though I do try to get out and shoot where that’s not going to happen .. but once that situation arises, I don’t think its problematic that people make similar photos.

I’ve no idea if that makes any sense or not. I need some coffee and/or a nap.

Cheers

Carl