Comments on: Photographic Celibacy – Not Studying Other Photographer’s Work

By: Jack Larson

Jack Larson — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:24:55 +0000

I think that beginning photographers can benefit greatly from looking at the work of master photographers. However, I agree with you that at some point, we need find ways to discover our own vision. I do think that art in general can be quite inspirational. Jay Maisel says that he goes to MOMA for inspiration.

By: Laird

Laird — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 12:40:54 +0000

Cole what an excellent discussion, you must be pleased with the quality of responses it has received. Perhaps this may have you feeling less sinful.

Throughout history there are numerous examples of man developing almost identical ideas & ideals at the same point in time… while being completely unaware of any others’ similar achievements… Isolated by continents and the forms of communication that existed at the time, plagiarism was an impossibility.

Makes you wonder about the capability of “original” thought.

By: Death Valley: Where Time Stands Still | Cole Thompson Photography

Death Valley: Where Time Stands Still | Cole Thompson Photography — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:18:16 +0000

[...] Something else I love about LensWork are the writings of editor Brooks Jensen. I have always liked his out-of-the-mainstream views and appreciated his common-sense wisdom about art and photography (even though we differ in opinion on “Photographic Celibacy!“) [...]

By: Indie Spotlight: Cole Thompson | Fuel Your Photography

Indie Spotlight: Cole Thompson | Fuel Your Photography — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:31:55 +0000

[...] to the viewer was completed.” In recent years Cole has been practicing what he calls ‘Photographic Celibacy,’ not studying the work of any other photographers, books or websites of other artists or looking [...]

By: Cameron

Cameron — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:03:52 +0000

I agree with your perspective on photographic celibacy, but only at the age of 17 I find it rather difficult NOT to copy others’ styles. For some strange reason my photos come out best when i do them in “the spur of the moment”, taking pictures when not an animal, person, or plant has any idea that i’m taking a shot. (some advice as to what I should look into would be helpful)
I’m rather curious however, now that you have your vision- what technical aspects do you use?

By: Tom McLaughlan

Tom McLaughlan — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:37:51 +0000

Hi Cole. I arrived here because Joel Tjintjelaar re-shared your Retrospective album on Google+. That took me to your profile, your website and then your blog. A lovely journey! And this article is fascinating, arriving in my consciousness as it does, just at a time when I am feeling regretful that (being completely self-taught), I know next to nothing about the great photographers. Having the read the article and thought about your central point, I think photographic celibacy may be for me too! Not for ever but just whilst I continue to develop my own preferred style. (It floats somewhere between minimal and abstract, and so i call it Ministract to save me the hassle of spending too much time on taxonomy!). That said, I wonder if we can ever actually achieve the state you’re after? Is it possible to avoid influences? And is it possible that those influences we do succumb to could actually be more influential then we appreciate? Talking about philosophers, Henry Louis Mencken said that their ideal state would be “celibacy tempered by polygamy”. Now there’s a thought!

By: Pure Jealousy | Cole Thompson Photography

Pure Jealousy | Cole Thompson Photography — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:07:04 +0000

[...] oft cited reason for “Photographic Celibacy” is that I don’t want to copy the work of others, but there is in truth another reason; [...]

By: Cole

Cole — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:16:18 +0000

Hi Sule, thanks for joining the discussion! Yes, even now I find myself sometimes imitating the work of others, but fortunately I am aware of it and so slap my face and yell “Stop!”

And sometimes I do what I think is original work only to have someone say, your work looks just like so-and-so’s work! So even when I am not aware of other photographer’s work, I can still produce similar work.

Brooks Jensen wrote an article called “fellow travelers” and it describes this phenomenon. Two photographers working independently, but producing similar work.

Now back to you. I choose not to look at others work while some feel that you should start off this way, purposely copying others work and style to hone your technical skills. Some feel that creatively this is a good approach with their ideas combining with your ideas to create new ideas.

I cannot argue with this approach as it seems to work so well for the majority of people!

Good luck Sule, I hope to hear from you again.

By: Sule Stone

Sule Stone — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:14:00 +0000

Cole if I make add my youths, this is my first time stumbling upon your blog. I am currently trying to pursuit a dream I have always had taking picture, right now mainly portraiture. I have no formal training or education in the field just some online tutorials here and there. I have a small in home lighting kit and a 7d that I work with. I have been struggling with concept and ideas. It so happen that this morning I googled studying other photographers work and your blog was the first to pop up…I think from reading your post and others comments the direction for me will be studying other people work and trying to get or create inspiring ideas from that but like you said a lot of time we have stuff buried in our subconscious mind and we all know what the subconscious is capable of doing. Do you ever find yourself after doing a shoot with your own creativeness end up looking like it was still imitated. Also do you have any advise for me being new.

By: Tim Parkin

Tim Parkin — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:18:51 +0000

A big problem is the zeitgeist… avoid.. buy old second hand books on photography. Browse unknown photographers on flickr. etc.

I agree with Matt – diversify your exposure

I can relate to the idea of hiding from influence but can’t relinquish the pleasure of seeing other peoples work