Art as Imitation

Aspen Grove, Late Fall. Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado, 2013

As photographers, how often are we influenced by famous images we have seen before? How often are we merely imitating something that we have lodged in either our conscious or subconscious memory?

I would say it happens more often than we even recognize.

Maybe it is a phase we all go through before we really find the groove of our own personal style? Maybe it is a necessary part of the learning process?

For example, how many of you have your own Ansel Adams aspen photograph in your personal files (as above)? How does it feel to click on that link and see what Ansel did with the same subject? How did yours compare? (“Aaack! I feel soooo small!”) Were you aware of Ansel’s imagery when you created yours?

It is very hard to move out and beyond the comfort zone with one’s photography into new, unsnapped, terrain in search of a personal style. It is so very hard to avoid imitating. I’m not sure what the solution is or how to get on to new terrain faster–other than simply to get out there and shoot a lot without worrying too much about it.

That’s my plan, anyway. My hope is that, with time, that unique personal vision will slowly find its way out and rise to the top.