Comments on: If You Can’t Be Original, You Should at Least Be Honest

By: Celebratographer

Celebratographer — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:23:18 +0000

I've had original work plagerized without receiving credit and the best thing for me was to get 'completion with the thief and then just simply move on confident that I can create something better and the thief probably wouldn't. plagerized. An

By: Shannon Hudnell

Shannon Hudnell — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:10:48 +0000

I have empathy for the author. I used to get really worked up when I had something that I considered my own original work, then find it copied by someone else. It was really aggravating because I felt that I had worked hard to obtain my own original piece - whether it be in my photographic or written works. Not to mention that those same people never bothered to extend any compliment personally to me whatsoever and made it seem as if the idea were all their own.

A friend suggested to consider it a compliment, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. As difficult as it was for me to accept that at first, as soon as I "let it go" as someone had suggested above, the more my own successes were recognized.

By: Peter Phun

Peter Phun — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:21:34 +0000

Ted, Jason, AlanH and Celebratographer, thanks for taking the time to comment.

As clarification, I didn't feel any attachment to the picture I set up. I am not so petty and insecure that way.

Actually, I was more appalled at the tackiness or lack of integrity of the student who bullied his classmate/model into signing a model release.

By doing so, he made me complicit in the coercion of his classmate to sign the model release.

It wasn't ever about the picture which I set up, but the coercion of the model into signing the model release.

By: AlanH

AlanH — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:37:23 +0000

As Peter himself points out - virtually every photograph has already been taken; but why get upset about the student and his photograph. The students' photograph IS unique as his settings and his particular angle will be different to every other camera in the room.
I take 'influence'from or 'pay homage' to many different photographers; capturing my own version of a subject. Sometimes it works other times not.

It's impossible to say what is original or not in this medium.

By: Celebratographer

Celebratographer — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:28:39 +0000

Learning from and later modeling a master is often a good jumping off point. Stealing is a no-no. Did you contact the student and tell him that what he did was to say the least: 'Tacky'?

By: Jason Collin Photography

Jason Collin Photography — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:00:19 +0000

Right, not cool to use a shot setup by someone else in your portfolio,, but like Ted said any client will find out soon enough that person is not capable of reproducing a similar shot.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:47:51 +0000

Try the Buddhist approach. Let it go. It's not important enough in life to even worry about. In fact take it as a compliment that your lighting and setup were used. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. People will find out soon enough that his work does not stand on it's own. Now together. Breathe.

By: Scott Baradell

Scott Baradell — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:41:58 +0000

Aw shucks...anytime, Peter

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:47:52 +0000

It seems like it should be pretty simple to be original if you're having fun with what you do. Of course, how many ways can you take a pic of a flower? I love photographing everything. I got a chuckle from what your student did; not one little part of his/her brain thought that this was a little bit cheating?

By: Peter Phun

Peter Phun — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:07:40 +0000

While we're on the subject of honesty, let me say this post wouldn't be as coherent and easy to read if not for the hard work of editor Scott Baradell.

Thanks Scott for making me look good.