{"id":122602,"date":"2018-12-18T15:05:57","date_gmt":"2018-12-18T23:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=122602"},"modified":"2018-12-18T15:06:48","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T23:06:48","slug":"why-being-influenced-by-other-photographers-is-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/18\/why-being-influenced-by-other-photographers-is-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Being Influenced by Other Photographers is Good"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To be influenced means to have other people and their ideas to “flow into” you. And as long as this influence motivates you to make more of your own artwork, being influenced by others is good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Influence is good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The common mistake we make is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We confuse being influenced with authenticity.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What I mean to say is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We think that if we allow ourselves to be influenced by others, we are no longer authentic.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Yet, it is possible to be BOTH<\/em> influenced by others AND<\/em> authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stealing is good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Good artists copy, great artists steal.” – Pablo Picasso<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I probably botched the Picasso quote, but it is still good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is that all copying and stealing is good. But what we should strive for is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To extract the maximum from others, and contribute ADDITIONAL<\/em> ideas and concepts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For example, I find great inspiration from the masters of photography. Yet, I strive to take their ideas, and contribute even more to their ideas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I allow myself to be influenced by others, but I channel that influence and ideas, to create even better ideas and artwork!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, we have established that being influenced by others is good. Yet, we don’t want to lose our ‘authenticity’. But what does that even mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Authenticity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The word ‘authentic’ comes from the Greek, ‘auth\u00c3\u00a9nt\u00c4\u201cs<\/a>‘, which means ‘lord, master’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So to be ‘authentic’ simply means to be lord and master over yourself!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus with your photography, to be an ‘authentic’ photographer means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be your own master in photography.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How to become your own master in photography<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To become a master photographer is to just master your own photographic process and vision! You shouldn’t need to compare yourself with other photographers to get the ‘master photographer’ badge of approval. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To lord over yourself as a photographer means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Shoot only what you want to shoot and don’t shoot what you don’t want to shoot.<\/li>
  2. Don’t strive to impress others with your photography; strive to impress yourself with your own photography. Spurn pleasing others.<\/li>
  3. Keep trying to push your own photographic limits: Avoid complacency in your artistry by constantly being hungry to push yourself to the next level.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Photographers who have influenced me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In one way or another, all master photographers<\/a> and artists from the past have influenced me in a positive way. But here are some photographers off the top I am particularly grateful towards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Bruce Gilden<\/a> (shooting with flash<\/a>)<\/li>
    2. Richard Avedon<\/a> (the power of a photographic portrait<\/a>, simplicity of white background).<\/li>
    3. Josef Koudelka<\/a>: No compromises in photography. Living a life true to himself, only shooting what he wants to, and opting for a poorer, yet more free life.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"
      My mom shooting flowers (my ultimate inspiration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      To conclude, some takeaways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. To be influenced by other photographers is good. Don’t try to ‘resist’ being influenced by others. Rather, love being influenced by others– but still strive to push yourself further.<\/li>
      2. Only allow yourself to be influenced by other photographers and visual artists you admire. <\/li>
      3. All types of art are good, as long as they motivate you in a positive way. Allow yourself to be promiscuous as a visual artist– study painting, car design<\/a>, sculpture, illustration, cinema<\/a>, fashion — anything which stimulates you to make more of your own artwork!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        SHOOT ON!
        ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n