Study the work of others

Photographer: Al Jurina
 Inspiration


If you want to get better as a photographer, start looking at the work of others. This is ALWAYS true. I can't think of any better way to encourage a dramatic improvement in anything than by studying the work of those who have come before you in the craft.

In fact, if you forget everything else on this blog, don't forget that tip: look at other people's work. Writers read to get better at writing, musicians are inspired by listening to the work of other musicians, and for photographers, inspiration comes from the visual.

 The works of the old master photographers, such as Karsh, Avedon, Adams, Cunningham, and others can show you amazing things. What's more, they created their art with equipment that looks pathetic in comparison to the technology that we have today. Also study the work of contemporaries. Art keeps happening whether you notice it or not. Find out what the trends are, and cultivate ideas and projects from what you learn. Be careful not to fall into trendiness. This is when things go too far the other way, and you lose your own vision, and just mimic what others do. Always be yourself, but take note of what you like and give it your own spin.

In future posts, we will try to highlight the work of specific artists and photographers that we admire or discover. Due to copyright issues, we may be only able to give you a description and reason for why we are inspired, but we will provide you with links to their work so that you can peruse at your leisure.




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