Is Copying Other Photographers' Work Right or Wrong?

If an individual chooses to emulate photographs from another photographer in order to learn and progress, why not? If it helps them to enhance their understanding of the art of photography, then why not? If it boosts their confidence, why not indeed? After all, learning from others can be a great way to improve one's skills.

However, it's advisable for them to keep these replicated photographs for personal reference only, for their own learning. They need not include them in their portfolio or share them on the internet or social media. What purpose would that serve?

Are they attempting to showcase their proficiency in mimicry? Will people genuinely admire them for copying? Well, maybe they do it the first time without realising it's a copy. But as people see more work, they'll realise those photos weren't originally theirs.

Why apply for awards or let those photographs get published when they don’t have their own original thought in those frames? What's the point of getting an award for a photo that they didn't really create?

If one chooses to replicate, let it remain a personal endeavour and private. I believe there is no need to broadcast it to the world. True originality may have very fine elements that resonate with others' work, but blatant plagiarism, cloning, or forging undermines the integrity of photography. Think of iconic photographers like Vivian Maier, Saul Leiter, Homai Vyarawalla, and Fan Ho. Each possessed a distinctive style, a hallmark of their personality evident in their work. They were celebrated for their uniqueness and individuality. Likewise, artists such as Frida Kahlo, M. F. Husain, Vincent van Gogh, Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, and many more are revered for their originality.

Imagine if they had all produced identical bodies of work—how uninspiring that would be! Imagine if everyone painted just like Vincent or photographed just like Saul. What would happen?

Even if a photographer's portfolio consists of just a few dozen photographs, if those are genuinely theirs, imbued with honesty and originality, they'll leave a lasting impression. Viewers are drawn to authenticity; they don't applaud what they've seen countless times before. They'll definitely return to see those rare, genuine moments photographed.

Keep it real and genuine; don’t be a duplicator. Don't manufacture photographs—create them.

There are photographers whose portfolios consist of replicas from various other photographers' work, passing them off as their own body of work. This won't lead to long-term success in the industry. To truly thrive and secure work, it's crucial to cultivate a unique voice. Genuine growth stems from originality. Photographs that lack originality ultimately ring hollow.

Sometimes, coincidentally, a photograph might look similar. But if you look at the whole portfolio from both photographers, you'll see they're very different. It's just that sometimes they capture similar moments in different places at different times. To truly understand, it’s more meaningful to evaluate a photographer's individual portfolio rather than judge a single image. Authenticity and originality shine through in a consistent body of work. The best way to grow is to be original. Be yourself. Create your own style.

As I always say, “Uniqueness with consistency is the only way to growth.” To all the trend followers - trends are transient, but timeless, classic work endures. Yes, it demands years of dedication and numerous setbacks, but therein lies the journey—success born from failure, the reward after perseverance.

Certain self-proclaimed masters and legends endorse copying; beware of them and mentors who normalise copying, who say it's okay to copy, insisting it's harmless. Without stressing the importance of creating individual style. They don’t mention that it might be okay to copy at first, but it's crucial to develop your own style with practice. The copies are for self-learning behind closed doors. Not for the public. Avoid it and don't get stuck in the loop of imitation. Free your minds and be unique. Break away from the cycle of duplication. Copies serve as private learning tools, not for public display.

Don't just blindly follow mentors who don't know what they're doing; many of them lack clarity. Many photographers are ensnared in this cycle, flooding social media with imitations, obscuring the original creators. As children, we initially copy ABCs for learning from our teachers; then we progress to crafting our own narratives and ideas. We don't showcase those initial ABCs; rather, our final creations of essays, books, and novels, etc.

Numerous "master" photographers mislead inexperienced learners, hindering their growth. This trend must cease; it's unfair to aspiring photographers, jeopardising their careers. Refrain from falling into this trap; it’s a distraction. My heart aches to see there are so many photographers out there who have great potential to develop and do so much more, but they are so blindfolded. They possess immense potential but are misled by individuals monopolising their ideologies and schools of thoughts. They are confusing the coming young generation. Their growth should not stop. They have huge potential but they follow the wrong advice. It's so sad to see what's currently happening in the industry.

They are so stuck in the loop that they have forgotten their own identity. Wake up! Be your own teacher. Frida Kahlo didn't receive formal training from a specific teacher or institution; her unique style and artistic vision developed through her personal experiences and experimentation. Fan Ho, the renowned photographer, was largely self-taught. He developed his skills and style through his own exploration and experimentation with photography. He didn't have a specific mentor or teacher in the traditional sense.

It's okay to have a mentor or teacher, but blindly following them word to word will only stop your personal invention. To invent a style one needs to break free from the rules. Don’t let them monopolise their own schools of thoughts on you. A mimic artist is always known for their mimicry, but they can never become a hero. Be your own master. Be your own mentor. Don't be a mimic artist.

I yearn for the growth of photographers and our industry's prosperity. Why must admiration be only reserved for footballers, actors, or politicians on a large scale? Why idolise only them? Why not elevate photographers on a grand, grand scale? Not just a select few gatekeepers. Why can't the world celebrate photographers too? We need more than just a few people in charge.

This is a plea and request. Everyone who is stuck in this loop, open your eyes and minds.

Explore. Experiment. Evolve.