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

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

By: Are Your Ears Burning? | Cole Thompson Photography

Are Your Ears Burning? | Cole Thompson Photography — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:50:58 +0000

[...] know of my unusual and controversial practice of not looking at other photographers work (“Photographic Celibacy“) Recently a friend wrote and asked if “my ears were burning” because Brooks [...]

By: Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:57:26 +0000

Bill, thanks for the article. It’s short and worth a read. What is real innovation and creativity?

By: Bill McMyne

Bill McMyne — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:18:19 +0000

Cole I came across an interesting blog post supporting your position on this topic. “How Inspiration Killed, Then Ate, Creativity.” I especially liked his views on how our educational system is biased against creativity. It is a wonder any of us break free from that model. You can check it out here http://www.viget.com/inspire/consumption-how-inspiration-killed-then-ate-creativity/

By: Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 04:16:52 +0000

David, I think you’ve asked the right and pivotal question. I can argue it both ways:

Yes, looking at others work early on helped me to see what is possible and gave me new ideas to build upon. Imitating helped me develop skills that I later used with my own vision.

No, looking at others work and spending energy copying their work and style only delayed my own development. I could have saved years if I had only pursued my own vision and style back then.

I don’t know which is true, but I tend to believe the latter and wished I hadn’t wasted all of those years.

Great question David, thanks.

Cole