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Why Imitating other Photographers is Important, and when it's Time to Stop
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2024
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In this video I talk about the importance of imitating other photographers when you're getting started, but also how to quickly identify when it's time to move on. I also give you some advice for diversifying your influences, and being intentional about developing your own creative voice.
Share this video on if you found it helpful.
#photography #imitation #developingyourstyle
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"If you copy from one [photographer], it's plagiarism; but if you copy from many, it's research." It's a paraphrase of a quote by Wilson Mizner, who was talking about writers.
It's taken me over five years but I finally feel like I'm building towards a style of my own.
It's never too late for growth.
agreed!
Same!
I've been shooting on and off since 2011, i did all the typical noob photographer shots that we all (most of us) do, I'd say I only started really shooting my own style in 2015 but only really felt comfortable in it since 2019. It's a journey!
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." - Isaac Newton.
"...Don't get caught being a weak copy of somebody else, fight to be an artist with your own unique voice..." - This is going straight into the journal I bring with me whenever I go out to make my own photographs
I need to copy first, because I can’t see things in a photographer’s eyes
As ever, very well thought out stuff. One point James Popsys made that got me thinking about the whole Anxiety of Influence question is the idea of looking at work you admire and thinking 'what would I do differently?'
I feel like understanding how you differ from the people you look up to is a really important part not only of growing as an artist, but of growing up as a person - kind of like the artistic equivalent of that point when you realise that your parents are just humans like you, and it suddenly throws everything into a much more specific contrast.
Your heroes make things the way they do because of who they are, and however much you may identify with them, you're somebody else, and you have your own direction to travel in.
Excellent point, perfectly stated. Love your example of seeing parents as people.
Yet another wonderful and educational short piece! Many thanks for making my (our) weekend, you're the best :)
Every time I watch one of your videos I feel like you are one of my great teachers from school that understood what I was going through and tried to steer me towards the right direction. With kindness, understanding and encouragement
Something I needed after a few months doing street photography with obvious inspirations from you and others. Perfect to kick start Monday ☺️
It’s the soothing voice, and the visuals for me. I love your channel I’m not even a photographer but this advice goes for all creatives. Thank you
From a musician's perspective, you find your voice when you fail to sound like the big bands you are trying to imitate. it's part of the learning process. This is a topic I very often talk about with my fellow artists.
Beautifully said sir
Woah! Just 30 minutes back I was binge-watching your videos and hoping for a new one to come out soon.. And here you are Sean, with another inspiring video 😇
Thank you Sean for the kind words! I've been recently struggling in my job (which is not photography, unfortunately) because people just don't get it how hard it is to create something new, authentic, solid! This video gives me the strength to keep dancing on my own!
You are simply the best educator on YT,
This channel really under rated cause many channel out there just talking about tips, preset, and so on... And not really educate people i guess..
So insightful and honest as always.
It's a topic I'm very familiar with in the context of playing guitar. It reminds me of something I heard John Mayer say in an interview once (I'm paraphrasing and extrapolating because I can't remember exactly what he said): imitate as much as you can when you're starting out because it will teach you things you never even thought about. At some point you'll get good enough to notice that you've failed at imitating whatever aspect of the person you're imitating and in the failure there'll be something in there that's you. That's when you develop your own style. Failure to imitate is the beginning of style. And you can hear it in John Mayer's playing too - there's a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughan in there, a bit of B.B. King and even a touch of Clapton - but at the same time there's something different, unique going on that makes you go "oh, that's John Mayer".
Great video Sean. Thank you.
Delaying the development of our creative voice. Perfectly articulated!
Yet another resonating video. Thank you for this gem. I have followed works of Steve McCurry, Dimitri Markov, Raghu Rai and Yours. The most important thing i learnt from you were
1. Not caring about the genre and shoot what i like.
2. Shooting the visual notes. That has helped me recognise scenes better and now i am better trained to find spots of good photographs.
And now i am slowly starting to develop a good mix of varities. Been a great learning curve so far.
You are the best photographer on TH-cam. Most "photographers" on TH-cam make amazing videos and great content, but aren't amazing photographers. They're in it for the clicks. You get to the soul of the creative heart. Every video you make makes me want to stop caring about what people say and care about how much I love what I make. Thank you so much for what you say and the videos you make. I know it's no easy for you being an introvert, and like I think you've said before that it's uncomfortable for you to do. But what you do is seriously inspireing. Please never stop
I'm always amazed at how qualitative your content is, thank you for all that really.
When I spot people who follow me imitating my style I feel both flattered and the urge to move on and innovate more. I would argue copying other people (if they notice) helps them to push themselves further too.
I never thought I would ever do portraits, but I “copied” your gear for portraits. I now have a new direction for my photography and a new personal project. I am taking portraits of my close friends and family. Thank you for the inspiration, but I love the gear you used.
This touches me to the heart. As a beginner I found a group and I’m trying to cut my own path while I can try an aspire to something more than myself
Love your videos, you are one of not that many ”adults” out there. You really makes sense, for me you are wise and have a fantastic tone.
Thank You Sean. For existing, for being here and for inspiring me to live a better life. This was powerful. I still have tears in my eyes at the perfection of everything you spoke. Thank You
can we stop and acknowledge the cinematography of the intro?!! damn. beautiful work Sean and as always inspirational words!
I can’t take credit in this case. You can’t fly drones in London so this was stock footage sourced from Artgrid.
Great video, Sean. You have been very influential to me, and it’s not because of your photographic style (although I’d like to nail one of those diagonal shadow pictures, just once for the challenge of it). You have influenced me to chart my own course and embrace the journey. Right now I don’t have any particular style; I am not emulating anything/anyone. I am trying new things. I am acknowledging my mistakes. I am having fun. When I make pictures I am happy with, they will be my own ideas and style. And I will get there when I get there.
What you say is true for any job, for example I experienced it as an engineer. However, it’s always good to remember it time by time. Thank you!
Thank you Sean Tucker, your videos have grown my perspective not only in photography but life as a whole.
Very wise and true words Sean, I used to be in the audio industry prior to photography, and people would ask me a lot on where to start with audio production, and I would say try to record and imitate the production on your favourite song and work from there. I feel the same principle applies; of course, for the start off, not for the long run.
I love the three pics you have back there... Great video, great message. Cheers from Colombia (south america)!
I sat back and applauded - to me, your best yet Sean. Thank you so much for taking on this (ghostly) elephant of a subject - some tough and generous points superbly conveyed.
I’ve only been at this journey for about six months. TH-cam has been a great learning tool for me and your statement on outgrowing mentors is bang on. There are some very influential people in this industry that at first seem very informative, sadly they become nothing but money grabbers… I don’t believe you are going to fall in that category in my opinion thanks Sean.
Thank you for making me feel better. I always thought about this. I'm just beginning my photography career. Your videos make me understand photography better. Thanks for being original
Lots of love from India💙
Thanks for your open hearted advice! You got a gift. You are able to explain the process of learning!
Sean, as far as I am concerned, this is one of your best tutorials yet! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your views with us. Sincerely appreciated.
I love that you always know what to say to keep us going on the track of becoming a photographer.
Wonderful. Thank you for sharing the validity to pushing your own boundaries.
Love the gate/wall/ivy shot
Your videos enlighten and inspire. I religiously follow 3 uniquely distinct photographers via social and TH-cam and you are one of them. While street photography is not "my thing" yet, recently as I sat in traffic I noticed the angle of morning light hitting this building's arched walkway, and my very first thought was how would Sean photograph this? Thank YOU for inspiring me to "see " what I would normally not see.
You are absolutely correct, however it can be overwhelming when you look around and wonder can there possibly be anything new left? I appreciate that is looking at it backwards and you shouldn’t actually look for it, rather let it form around you as you develop as a photographer. Still messes with my head at times though 🙄🙂 Consistency and Uniqueness are my goals. Sometimes I almost get close 🙂
i would say i have been greatly influenced by certain photographers,Four in particular and i always say 1)Henri Cartier-Bresson showed me how to see 2)Diane Arbus how to feel 3)Robert Frank about story telling and 4)August Sanders about authenticity.I carry part of each of their styles and approach with my work today....
Those are three great photographers. Their sum total plus what from you will make your approach you own? As Sean says keep moving.
Fabulous video Sean. A very relevant topic well deciphered. I have seen the works of thousands of photographers and went out and photographed the way I know how to do it. The intent was never to imitate any one photographer or style, yet knowingly or unknowingly some images might look similar!
I've read an interesting book about that: "Steal Like An Artist", by Austin Kleon.
Very well said. There is also a fine line between inspiration and imitation. Following different artists and being inspired by their craft is a great starting point. Your own style and voice in art is conceived through constant practice. Create a lot of artwork and you'll soon identify your own style and interpretation in your craft.
"create a stable of heroes" thank you Sean for another lesson in life and photography, I really appreciate your advice, wisdom and the time you spend on this type of topic
You’re the person that gives me the information I need and the kick up the arse to keep me going. Nice video and super informative as usual, the thought process you’ve explained will definitely help me get over this hurdle I seem to be stuck at
Miss your videos Sean! Good to see and hear from you again.
I only promise to post once a month in my channel trailer my friend, and I've posted 2 every month this year. You might have to adjust your expectations:)
@Sean Tucker 😂 I will! Stay safe 🙏
Just wanted to say that I really appreciate the fact you upload on the weekend.
Struck lots of chords with this video. I especially liked how you explain the way that copying your muses' equipment and metrics is not enough to foster one's own creative standpoint and can trap in a vortex of imitation. Greatly identified with the point about acknowledging and celebrating your muses' work. Oh, yeah, and what you said about having a muse portfolio instead of focusing on one photographer's work to imitate was spot on.
Also, since I am in the process of (finally) starting my own TH-cam channel on photography, I am grateful you posted this because I know in some ways, I will be incorporating visual and creative cues from you (BTW, your video montages are masterful and I am not even going to try to imitate those) and others on TH-cam, but I am going todo it my way and grow from there. Kinda the way I got to where I am with photography, really.
Thank you.
Quotes in the starting of your every video are just enough to motivate us towards right direction.
Thank you Dr Sean. I really needed to hear this. I feel much better now. 👍
as usual, only words of wisdom. thank you very much to encourage growth, humility, and search for identity through all the photographer's community!
Sean, I have been watching your videos for a while now and the ones that struck me most emotionally were the ones that you did of your mentors. I would love to move people emotionally the way you move me through tour lens so I am grateful that you would encourage us to use your techniques, emulate your art if you will and find our own spark.
You deserve millions of views, because the knowledge you have is unimaginable .
Thank you for the encouragement to allow myself to start with imitation/inspiration while searching for that voice that wants to speak but not just has the “words”.
Bang on the money Sean , well said ! Many may disagree and most will agree . We all need inspiration and direction that’s why we went to school and learned from great teachers who passed on their mentors to us all , we as humans will have a natural tendency to copy others till we find our own path and our own flagships . Some may never evolve into themselves , most will and do it successfully like yourself . Thanks always for your awesome blogs of pure fact and truth , honesty and respect! 👌🏻👍👏👏👏
I love that last random picture...so honest and peaceful at your craft!!!
Great video, very inspiring. I love the way you come across, in a sea of over the top videos, you are calm and clear. I am attempting to purvey this same manner myself. Good work!
Sean you are 100% right! I've been doing photography for 18-20 years. I'm still influenced by other photographers. I believe if you are heavily influenced definitely use it, but make it your own. Some of my favorites are Carlos Diaz, Mitchell Funk, Annie Leibovitz, Nick Brant and so own. (Carlos Diaz you can find on photoeye.com) I know live in Saudi Arabia and finally want to get into street photography...?
Sean I needed to hear this Sean this so much truth in what you saying, I think I found what type of photography I want to do and I'm surely going to stick to my own creative ideas and not be afraid
Another brilliant video man. Thanks!
I just want to say I had taken a short break from photography because I was feeling burnt out and was losing that Joy that I used to have. and my father passed away, who was also a photographer and a big inspiration for me and a style that was my first imitation. But it's nice to know coming back that your channel is still here and still making amazing content and challenging ideas. Thanks for your videos
Great philosophical angle Sean!! You are one of my true inspirations mate!!
I appreciate your time and effort in this video.
Attitude and character come from points you share Sean! My gauge of knowing the effectiveness of my images when more experienced and knowledgeable in the arts would comment and provide ways to improve.
I have been drumming for 30+ years. Originals and Covers. Covers (copying) adds to the drum skills and then allow to respectfully change the original to make it my own and adds to my original playing.
This attitude is now being replicated in my fledgling photography journey.
For my very new "Street" work I admit my influence is yourself Sean but am I looking at how many others take on the subject and try it out under my "Drumming Covers" learning curve.
As I learn how to "Copy" the look of an image I like I then have the skills to make it my own in my own way.
Thank you for sharing your ideas and work.
I truly enjoy your approach to photography. So pragmatic and yet creative. I like that you talk about the creativeh artistic aspects rather than settings and other technical parts.
This is really a very interesting video. I like to think that I am not a beginner, because I started photography 40 years ago but I haven't been doing anything meaningful the last 10 years or so. A couple of years ago I picked it up again but I have been struggling to find a direction. For the moment I am more a gear collector than anything else and I need to get out of that rut. So I was thinking exactly what you said in this video. Your advice to follow more than one photographer absolutely makes sense. Thank you!
Thank you Sean 🙌
Well said. I agree.
Thank you, Sean. Love your work
Thank you for always inspiring the beginners 😊🙏🏻
Love your videos, Because of you I never felt the reason to join the arts school as the conceptual/philosophical part of Art of Photography is all covered by you and that is the most difficult part to cover and no one teaches us this on youtube. Thank you for all your efforts. :)
its funny cause this turns out to be the same problem inside the film/cinematography/videography industry also...this lesson should be learn by the videographers etc. as well! Thanks a lot Sean for your lessons because they are a huge value!
Amazing advice...You inspire me. You motivate me about photography. Great photographer!
Very inspirational Sean. Thank you.
Your educational content is brilliant! Please keep it up.
thx for that video, another one of yours with great input to think about.
Yesssssssssss... was waiting for you 😁🙏
Sean, you've made another spectacular and thought provoking video. Thank you! As a beginning photographer, who only aspires to make photos as a hobby, your advice is spot on. While seeking to learn from others with much more experience, imitation has helped me grow. I hope to "find my own voice" and continue growing. Your TH-cam channel is one of the sources I most look forward to. Please continue to share your own experience and challenge us all to continue evolving.
Sean's ability to hit me with blunt reality in his statements (i.e. shamelessly copying other photographers for easy recognition without putting in the work) while also somehow making me feel confident and and assured (i.e. imitation is okay because its how we learn) is a really unique thing.
I've always taken pride in how I'm always truthful and honest, even sometimes blunt, to my family and friends, but I'd definitely like to learn how to soften those blows to people's confidence kinda like how Sean explains things.
A great bit of advice for any creative ♡
Such wise words, I’m very new to movie photography having so much to learn I’ve found myself watching people i admire and using their angles, while I’m trying to find my own style, thanks for your constant inspiration.
You have easily become my new favourite influencer
Thanks for another INSPIRATIONAL video Sean!!! Thanks for being an INSPIRING to all fellow photographers... 📷
Very very good! Thanks Sean
Great educational video, lots of great advice. As someone who has been practicing photography (as an amateur) for many years I've come to realise I didn't imitate anywhere near enough when I first picked up a camera!!!
Thank you Sean for doing your videos. I find the setting, subjects and depth all very appealing. It's something about the shadows in the videos. I just bought an Xt1 fuji and started taking my first steps in street photography. Still find it nervous to photograph strangers even though my motives are artistic. Dont know how far I will go as a photographer but I guess that is the beauty of it. Wish you all the best.
Great video. You have helped me a lot since I started following you. Thanks a lot!!!
This resonates with me. On my journey, I have tried various styles, because I liked what others were doing. It has been a learning experience, and has been helping me find my style. I'm a work in progress. I'ma retired architect, and this same principle applies to that profession. Thanks for another thought provoking video.
Thank you.
Sean, very good advice. It applies to all creative genres, thanks . I would add, there are few totally unique ideas. The steam engine, and calculus are two examples of separate concurrent development, where the general body of knowledge existed. Thanks again, you put a lot of thought and reflection into your posts.
Thanks for bringing back the quote part in your video.. that is so amazing..
Every one of your videos is like a Masterclass. Amazing
I've always wondered how someone thinks when they hit the dislike button on a video of this quality. Is it the lack of b-roll or fast cuts? Sean's videos are often lesson for life and even if it's from a photographers point of view (and you might not be into photography) you can always learn something valuable.
Negativity is just how some people communicate:)
Excellent word ,Sean!!🌹🌹👍👍
Well said as usual. You can really tell how much thought you put into these. I really enjoy how these videos come off as a conversation with someone say right across from me. Looking forward to the next video
What a wonderful piece. Thank you! 🙏🏼
Thank you for your insight.
wonderful video, Sean you are one of the most dedicated photographers sharing and giving confidence and great education to photographers, new and old. Really appreciate your dedication and passion. Your content it´s just fantastic, take good care. Cheers from Costa Rica
thanks sean, great video as always.