Copycat Anyone?

[Nikolai]

It's been said many times: it has all been done before.

While contemplating over possible submissions to LPS, I found myself often in the position when I really liked somebody else's current or former shot and I really would like to try to do something like this myself. Then of course I would immediately think that this would be considered a copycatting and would be frowned upon, so I never did it.

But I still want to.;-)

Then I remembered of the way the painters and other great artists of yore taught their apprentices. They make them to copy their own or somebody else's work over and over again. The reason: while it does not develop the imagination, it does improve the skills. And the skills are the flesh and bones of any artist. Yes, having the fresh idea is great, but sometimes you have the idea and stumble upon the technical difficulty of the execution.

And this is where relentless copying helps. Once you know how to paint Mona Lisa exactly the way Leonardo did, you can probably figure out on your own how to make it better. Once you take your own image of the Grand Tetons and the Snake River exactly the way Mr.Adams took it, not only you would feel better about yourself, but you'd probably learn something along the way and will be able to use this knowledge to create a better image another day.

With this in mind I'm suggesting to start a new Copy Cat Class (CCC, or C3:-). To avoid legal issues we'll choose among of our own dgrinners and will ask their blessing first. In essence, we'll pick an image we would like to mimic, invite the author, ask him or her to share the details and technicalities - and then go have a blast. As with WA, there will be no winners or places, just pure fun and learning process.

Challenge winning shots or candidates (be it LPS or prior system) could be good a way to start, but we should not limit ourselves, so if anybody knows of a good picture from an active dgrinner s/he would like to get their paws upon - please step forward:-).

Anybody wanna join yet another Dgrin class? :wink

If so - please reply with a link to the dgrin post (or smugmug gallery that can be somehow linked to a active dgrinner) containing the picture YOU would like to mimic. Once we get a few targets, I'll start asking the authors for their permissions. And once we get that - we set up a new thread, the rules, the timeline - and go have fun.

And yes, since it's a copycat class, you are more than welcome to copy other's target ideas :lol3

I start: "Twin Crowns" (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709/1/97315215/Large) by Chandi. Co-Winner, Dgrin Challenge 73, "Synchronicity"

[dlscott56]

GREAT idea!!! It sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to improve my skills. Count me in. I love the Twin Crowns photo. Here's another suggestion:

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/2605319#137431390
seastack - Stovetop Steamy - 40 (LPS1)

[BeaKeR]

Nikolai, you may have missed your calling as a professor.

I think it's a great idea, and I'd love to be a part of it, or at least try to. I'm sure you've thought of this, but you'll have to be leave a good bit of latitude in the definition of "copy". After all, it's theoretically possible for anyone to recreate a painting, but photographs are unique. Besides which, some landscape photos can be tricky for those of us that live 1000 miles from an ocean or a mountain range, wildlife pictures are tough if you don't have the right fauna available, etc etc. Perhaps you should just define which aspects to copy?

As far as suggestions, Steamy is nice, but personally I like Evening Tea (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709#12211945) better.

[Nikolai]

Nikolai, you may have missed your calling as a professor.

I think it's a great idea, and I'd love to be a part of it, or at least try to. I'm sure you've thought of this, but you'll have to be leave a good bit of latitude in the definition of "copy". After all, it's theoretically possible for anyone to recreate a painting, but photographs are unique. Besides which, some landscape photos can be tricky for those of us that live 1000 miles from an ocean or a mountain range, wildlife pictures are tough if you don't have the right fauna available, etc etc. Perhaps you should just define which aspects to copy?

As far as suggestions, Steamy is nice, but personally I like Evening Tea (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709#12211945) better.

Well, I do understand your point and yes, I did think of that. Some things are hard to reproduce without great deal of efforts. However, the steaming kettles are not, so not many other things. Yes, some of the shots are technical and they would require certain preparations. We all will have a saying in that. However, I can't always guarantee that we all can play. Some don't heave the ocean, some don't have the mountains, some don't have the river, some don't have the big city, some don't have the farm... If we try to satisfy 100% of dgrin population will get stuck shooting ourselves in the mirror. The least common denominator approach does not always work. I will do my best selecting the subjects that can be followed by a majority of those who join the play, just like I was trying to do it with WAs and so far nobody complained about an impossibility to fulfill the assignment.

At any rate, it's a valid point, it is definitely the one to consider. Yet at this moment I simply wanna see the hands :wink

[pyroPrints.com]

I'm down. In fact lets discuss how to copycat this first one. I'm assuming I need paint, some decent light, and shooting with a very high shutterspeed. After that I guess it's just a matter of trying to catch the drop at the right time?

[BeaKeR]

I'm down. In fact lets discuss how to copycat this first one. I'm assuming I need paint, some decent light, and shooting with a very high shutterspeed. After that I guess it's just a matter of trying to catch the drop at the right time?

I would guess that you use relatively little natural/available light and let the flash work as a "virtual shutter". I've never tried it, but it's something Dalantech talks about a lot for things like capturing water droplets in midair and ultra-closeups of bugs. This makes your shutter speed somewhat irrelevant.

[Nikolai]

I'm down. In fact lets discuss how to copycat this first one. I'm assuming I need paint, some decent light, and shooting with a very high shutterspeed. After that I guess it's just a matter of trying to catch the drop at the right time?

Hey, where's your submission? :wink
Guys let's not discuss it here yet, OK? :deal
We'll have all the time in the world once we select a goal and start working on it. :D

[douglas]

I think this copycat thing is a great idea. Its funny "Twin Crowns" by Chandi was mentioned because after admiring the photo abit the first thing I thought was that would be fun to try. Definately not easy, perticularly trying to get 2 crowns at once. When Ill actually try it is yet to be seen. I would love to see others peoples results in trying to capture something similar. Copycat sounds like alot of fun, will be limited entries depending on subject matter for sure, but still alot of fun to both watch results and participate.

[Nikolai]

I think this copycat thing is a great idea. Its funny "Twin Crowns" by Chandi was mentioned because after admiring the photo abit the first thing I thought was that would be fun to try. Definately not easy, perticularly trying to get 2 crowns at once. When Ill actually try it is yet to be seen. I would love to see others peoples results in trying to capture something similar. Copycat sounds like alot of fun, will be limited entries depending on subject matter for sure, but still alot of fun to both watch results and participate.

No reply without your "entry", be it a copy or your own!:deal

[hawkeye978]

Nikolai,

I love the idea and here is my suggestion, Pumpkin Patch by dkapp. I love the light and the strong colors.

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/photos/10849507-L-1.jpg
(http://dgrin.smugmug.com/photos/10849507-L-1.jpg)

[Nikolai]

Nikolai,

I love the idea and here is my suggestion, Pumpkin Patch by dkapp. I love the light and the strong colors.

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/photos/10849507-L-1.jpg
(http://dgrin.smugmug.com/photos/10849507-L-1.jpg)

Noted! :deal
I am only afraid we'd have to wait until the Halloween for this one :lol3

[hawkeye978]

Noted! :deal
I am only afraid we'd have to wait until the Halloween for this one :lol3

You call yourself a photographer?? Can't you change an apple into a pumpkin?:D

[Nikolai]

You call yourself a photographer?? Can't you change an apple into a pumpkin?:D
:lol3
point taken :wink

[Seefutlung]

Nic-

When I was a young pup of a journalist ... an old timer suggested that if I found a story I particularily liked ... to just sit down re-type the story. I thought it was odd but I tried it ... and it helped my writing ... I really understood why the author used certain words over other words, why the order of facts et cetera.

I used the same tactic with my photography, and it was helpful as well ... if you really try in your re-creation ... you'll soon be walking in the shoes of those you emulate ... then you take it one step further and go beyond the emulation and expand the envelope ... go beyond the original image ... sometimes its works and sometimes it's a dog ... but it's all about advancing and honing one's skills and experience.

Gary

[BeaKeR]

Nikolai,

I love the idea and here is my suggestion, Pumpkin Patch by dkapp. I love the light and the strong colors.

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/photos/10849507-L-1.jpg
(http://dgrin.smugmug.com/photos/10849507-L-1.jpg)

Love that suggestion, it's such a moody shot. Grad-NDF to get the sky? HDR? A nice middle exposure and nice post-processing? I look forward to finding out.

Though I doubt you could get the same feel with canteloupe or apples or whatever someone suggested. :D

[Terrence]

Excellent idea. My candidate is "Black Coffee" (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709#16435262) by dkoyanagi.

[Nikolai]

Excellent idea. My candidate is "Black Coffee" (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709#16435262) by dkoyanagi.
Nice one, Terrence, good to have you on board:-)

[LiquidAir]

This is one I have been meaning to try: Painting with Light (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709#21733694) by David Perry.

By the way, if anyone is interested in the details of my submissions, I am slowly putting together a "how to" blog here (http://blog.liquidairphoto.com/2007/05/making-of-series.html).

[Nikolai]

This is one I have been meaning to try: Painting with Light (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/167709#21733694) by David Perry.

By the way, if anyone is interested in the details of my submissions, I am slowly putting together a "how to" blog here (http://blog.liquidairphoto.com/2007/05/making-of-series.html).

Oooh, Ken, yeah, that is one of my favorites, too!
We'll definitely try get to that one! :thumb

[hawkeye978]

Just a thought on the whole process. As someone pointed out on 'Pumpkin Patch' there may be a lot of different ways to do the same picture. Maybe one of the things to do is investigate alternate techniques to copy the same picture so people with a lot less experience (namely me...) can learn different photographic techniques and get whithering feedback on the results. I think that might add to the whole learning experience.

[Rhuarc]

I think this whole idea sounds pretty cool. There are so many times when I see an idea in a competition that someone else had, and I think o myself, "why couldn't I have thought of that!" Well, now I don't have to. Now I can copy!! :D

[Nikolai]

I think this whole idea sounds pretty cool. There are so many times when I see an idea in a competition that someone else had, and I think o myself, "why couldn't I have thought of that!" Well, now I don't have to. Now I can copy!! :D

You have forgotten to specify your target, my friend! :deal

[Green Fleurdelis]

Nikolai, here is a photo that has a style I'd like to know how to create.

http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=558525&postcount=15
(from SF#1, "Candid Glimpse" by pyroPrints) Hey, that rhymes! :D

[Nikolai]

Nikolai, here is a photo that has a style I'd like to know how to create.

http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=558525&postcount=15
(from SF#1, "Candid Glimpse" by pyroPrints) Hey, that rhymes! :D
Thanks! Welcome to the Club! :thumb