I have not posted a good thought provoking journal in a while. This was actually a reply to a friend of mine that made me think "Hmmm, this could be a good journal." So enjoy, and I would love to see what you all have to say!
This is something that I notice a lot in the world of art. People are always claiming styles and ideas as their "own," when in fact, there are probably a handful of other people in the world, at that exact moment saying or thinking the same thing.
In this day and age, it is almost unheard of to make something original... and if you do, you had better lock it up and throw away the key, otherwise someone else IS going to come along and take it, modify it and make it their "own."
Take the telephone for example. You can no longer invent a telephone, it's already been done. The most you can do is improve upon it. Same as with most everything in this world. It is quite rare to invent something brand new.
Lets talk about my line of work for a second. As a makeup artist, sure you can have your own style, but chances are there are a bunch of other makeup artists in this huge world, filled with millions of people, who have the same, if not, a similar style.
Ideas... forget about it, seriously, how many things can you take and put on a models face and call it makeup? It's not makeup, its art. Any look that you create, that you would never wear out, is art in my book. How many pictures have you seen with candy on a models face, how about feathers, grease, dirt, jewels, flowers, etc? Sure I have done stuff like this, and I loved it, it was fun... but I would never claim it as my own. I have had to copy tons of people to get where I am, otherwise I would have never progressed. There is really only one "right" way to shade a models face, unless you want her not to look human. There are a lot of makeup artists who do not shade properly, and I was one of them! But, am I now ripping off other makeup artists, by shading my models faces the same way that they do?
I have heard so many photographers, complain about other photographers, taking their styles and ideas... that I had to sit back and think on it. I mean really... how inventive can you get with lighting, to make it your "own"? How about post processing? Either you edit the shit out of it or you don't... sure there are some that are in the middle... but not many. Contrast... can you create your own? Shadows and Depth of field... how many ways can you use it? Is it really possible to be unlike any other?
The best, and worst, I hear people get their panties all in a bunch over, is image ideas... again, how many ways can you use a snake? What about flowers or snow? Back drops... hmmm there is a lot of different types of fabric, but chances are, yours is probably pretty damn similar to one that has already been used (and it could have been 20 years ago or today).
Something to think about.
I present to you, the wonderful models and photographers from DA, who has in some way or another contributed to my portfolio. Every one of these photographers/models are worth checking out... So what are you waiting for?
(in no particular order)
Photographers...
Models...
(I am still finding people here, so if any of you know someone I have worked with and don't have them up here, let me know please!)
Clubs I belong to -
Looks like I will be moving...
Tired
.
Sentimental
On Strike
Happy Tears
