What is Originality in Photography?

[HSakols]

Now that photography is such a ubiquitous part of life, what is an original or novel photograph?  I mean what really hasn't been done?  I find that the photography I like best may not be so original but I just like it. 

[RSL]

What photography do you like best, Hugh?

[HSakols]

I have always been drawn to western landscapes.  I grew up backpacking the Sierra Nevada - AKA The Range of Light.  Much of my inspiration has come from spending quite a bit of time outside in the mountains.  Now that I'm in my 50's, I realise I'm not as fast or strong as in my 20's but I still feel compelled to get out as much as I can - I feel a sense of comfort and hope being in wild places.  I also like to get away from the hours I spend with needy children in my classroom.  Some of the work I'm attracted to now include:

http://www.charlescramer.com
https://www.michaelfrye.com
http://portfolios.williamneill.com/index
Keith Walklet http://quietworks.com/FRAMES_FILES/QW_FILES/ABOUT_US.html
https://guytal.com
https://vernclevenger.com
Mike Osborne 
http://www.johnsexton.com

 There are many others I'm missing, but this stuff makes my socks go up and down. 

[Rob C]

How to put this gently? Firmly grounded in accepted genre, that collection, and therefore impossible to see as original.

That's the curse of photography, and why we can never have our own Picasso or Seurat.

We are grounded in reality or stupid things that depend on smoke and mirrors, or is that just Photoshop?

It's a minor art at best, and far more honest when presented as craft. In my opinion, at any rate.

Rob

[rabanito]

How to put this gently? Firmly grounded in accepted genre, that collection, and therefore impossible to see as original.

That's the curse of photography, and why we can never have our own Picasso or Seurat.
It's a minor art at best, and far more honest when presented as craft. In my opinion, at any rate.

Andy Warhol's First "Selfie" Sells for $7.7 Million at Christie's
A piece of garbage  that I wouldn't have in my kitchen

The same house sells a Turner "The Lake of Lucerne from Brunnen, with a Steamer " for only 1 Mio Dollars,
Quo vadis, art?...

[KLaban]

How to put this gently? Firmly grounded in accepted genre, that collection, and therefore impossible to see as original.

That's the curse of photography, and why we can never have our own Picasso or Seurat.

We are grounded in reality or stupid things that depend on smoke and mirrors, or is that just Photoshop?

It's a minor art at best, and far more honest when presented as craft. In my opinion, at any rate.

Rob

I prefer to present them for what they are, images, pure and simple, and let others worry where to place them.

[rabanito]

I prefer to present them for what they are, images, pure and simple, and let others worry where to place them.

+1

[Paulo Bizarro]

It may have been done by others, but not by me. There are a lot of places that I would like to go to and take pictures of:)

[rabanito]

It may have been done by others, but not by me. There are a lot of places that I would like to go to and take pictures of:)

Hahaha
Avoid Yosemite, Your chances for originality will be strongly reduced.
There has been  ∞ + 1 photographers doing beautiful pictures there

[Rob C]

But we wander off the question: what is originality in photography?

Something may be new to us when we do it, but that isn't originality. That's not to say that folks won't enjoy doing it, but they still can't claim it as original if it's just more of the same. Which most everything, today, has to be because time (and too many photographers) has taken care of that.

;-(

[HSakols]

Avoid Yosemite, Your chances for originality will be strongly reduced.

I guess I'm doomed as a photographer  I enjoy the history of photography in Yosemite as it has evolved over time. 

[Rob C]

I guess I'm doomed as a photographer  I enjoy the history of photography in Yosemite as it has evolved over time.

No, not doomed at all. Just don't get hung up on the matter in your own work if there is no way to best the problem.

It hits everybody with a camera if they get around to thinking about it, but I guess most never do think that much about such matters.

Rob

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

On my first visit to Yosemite in about 1965 I bought several Ansel Adams prints. Each was printed by Ansel, numbered and signed and mounted, each print 8x10"  mounted on Strathmore mounting board.

Price: $6 each.   

[rabanito]

I guess I'm doomed as a photographer  I enjoy the history of photography in Yosemite as it has evolved over time.

I took a look at your webpage and find your pictures pretty good.

[rabanito]

On my first visit to Yosemite in about 1965 I bought several Ansel Adams prints. Each was printed by Ansel, numbered and signed and mounted, each print 8x10"  mounted on Strathmore mounting board.

Price: $6 each.   

Old Age has it advantages 

[KLaban]

Old Age has it advantages 

But in 1965 Eric was young and more to the point, insightful.

;-)

[Rob C]

Old Age has it advantages 

Really? I try to find them every day, but I guess I'm just too slow to see them.

They told me that I would have lots more time to do the things I want to do. They lied. It takes me much longer to do the things I have to do, never mind find time for things I might like to do, and those are all off the programme anyway because that damned lottery win keeps going to the wrong people.

If you want to do it, do it now, whilst you can; you may never get the chance again. Whatever it is.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Old Age has it advantages 

I'm sure it does. But when I wake up in the morning, I can never remember where I left them.   

[Ivophoto]

If you want to do it, do it now, whilst you can; you may never get the chance again. Whatever it is.

That’s a good advise, Rob.

Only, young peoples have to work to build that little pile of money that could allow doing what they want. And when that pile of money reaches a certain height (above carpet level) then the taxman’s visit reset the whole exercise.

[rabanito]

Only, young peoples have to work to build that little pile of money that could allow doing what they want. And when that pile of money reaches a certain height (above carpet level) then the taxman’s visit reset the whole exercise.

I think Rob is referring to doing what is possible for your own situation.
I for myself did whatever i wished as far as I could but the Ferrari and becoming Grandmaster in chess must wait until two or three future lives.

And perhaps in three generations the cars will be "Chan'g Phee Li" and the game Mah-Jongg or whatever the Chinese are planning for the future - if there is one