When lack of vision results in putting lipstick on a pig
I have learned – the hard way – that imitation is the anti-christ of inspiration. I was truly inspired this weekend by both Cartier Bresson and by the way in which my new friends explored their vision of Chicago right through to their choices in final post-processing. Feeling inspired, I set myself a number of exercises and books to read to anchor that new insight. This post is the final exercise that I set myself in Chicago and its purpose was to explore how imitating someone else can undermine and cheat you of your own vision. Whilst I am not able to show you ant images that were copied when we shot, I can show you how some of my images are altered if I imitate one of the other’s style.
A different perspective on Chicago’s architecture
I’ve got to be honest. Architecture is not really my thing. I appreciate innovative design certainly, I even recognize the clever mix of engineering and innovation that create architects can combine in a building and the impact that can have on a skyline – like a giant piece of art – and nowhere is that more evident than in Chicago. But a 90 minute floating lecture through the Chicago heartland in the heat of the day sat next to a deafening loud speaker is not usually how I would choose to spend my Sunday.
Inspiration by Cartier Bresson – Perspiration by Marco Ryan
I have just been to see the Henri Cartier Bresson exhibition at the Arts Institute of Chicago with Sabrina Henry, Stuart Sipahigil, Mark Olwick and Sue Ables (plus the enchanting JoEllen Sipahigil and the delightful Pat Ables). To be honest it was a treat just to meet up and spend time with 4 photographers whose [...]
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