I hope there is no objection to this practice, but I am using some of my site favorites to "go to school" on. My first attempt at recreating an excellent photo appears here:
Thanks for the comment. I didn't use a glass or mirror because I didn't want to totally rip your shot off. I will try it as you point out in your comment.
You know.. this might be an interesting challenge idea, I know another art site has an annual 'ripped off' show where folks go and do their interpretations of other site members' art.
Not sure how everyone would feel about it, but I think it could be fun - this is typically done with painting and the like I think, but hey, digital photography is flexible enough to handle it.
If are to learn from each other, I feel we should try out others' ideas. I know I want to try some out. There are some great tutorials on this site to help us do just that.
I mean let's face it, the majority of fotops here are exponentially better than me. How else couls I get it right? :)
Sorry. I wasn't clear on my comment. Use something out of the range of the shot to bring a little light onto the other side so it can be seen.
I always though it would be fun to copy a famous photograph. Maybe have a photographer that everyone has to do, say Weston, or whoever, and everyone could pick out one of his pictures to imitate. Should be fun.
Or what was suggested already!
About imitation--this is so true. I constantly am looking through photography books to get ideas for shots. I often begin to 'copy' a photo, but I usually end up putting my own flair into it, much like you did with your portrait bust shot.
I practice copying shots in books often. Helps me understand how they are done.
I've been correpsonding with another member re: just this thing, we both happen to have the same book, Pro-Lighting series, New Product Shots, and I recognized one of the images in his portfolio.
I practice copying shots in books often. Helps me understand how they are done.
I've been correpsonding with another member re: just this thing, we both happen to have the same book, Pro-Lighting series, New Product Shots, and I recognized one of the images in his portfolio.
It's a great way to learn how to set up shots.
And here is the image JC Homola is referring to.
Great learning to imitate this picture , even found an error in the book as result of it, the setup described showed the light coming from the wrong angle, resulting in a very flat picture.
I had some doubt whether it is illegal to sell it as print here, it is very close to the original, only different type of pasta. But it is my image, so I guess I can.
Another good book is "Still life and special effects photography", like the "new product shots" it contains full description of the setup and lighting used for an image.
Like dsidwell says, most often you start with an imitation, but then add your own flair and end up with a different image anyway. Exactly my experience, except on this pasta shot.
And you then apply the learning to other images, which fully are of your own creation.
I'm also constantly looking at pictures, paintings, to find "inspiration". Sometimes I try to copy a "style", sometimes the picture itself, sometimes it simply is inspiring to looks at beautiful things.
When I try to "rip off" somebody elses picts, I usually try to contact them first to ask if it's OK, except when I'm really intimidated by the person :))) In that case I just hope that if they figure it out (that I was copying their style), that they will take it as flattery.
Not just books and magazines, but galleries also. Sometimes I'll spend an hour in a shopping mall gallery (usually a combination frame/print shop), gleaning ideas. Since joining here, I enjoy "cruising" others portfolio's for ideas as well.
