It's OK If It's Been Done Before: Make That Photo or Video Anyway

The era we're in can be a bit paralyzing, as it can feel like everything has been done, and anything you create is therefore derivative and unworthy, but that's often simply not true. 

Coming to you from Zach Ramelan, this great video carries a message we all might need to hear every once in a while. While yes, we've seen a lot of art, music, photography, etc., every person's view of the world and the creative impulses they carry are theirs alone, and to censor them is to rob the world and the would-be creator of expression. I know that with my slow fingers, I'm not the greatest guitarist or composer to ever walk the planet, but it doesn't stop me from making music, because I know what I write is unique to me. Martha Graham said: "There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” Wise words. Be the best creative you can be by your own standards.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

Log in or register to post comments
7 Comments

THE SIMPSONS DID IT

This really inspired me to go to this Sunflower farm in Hamilton to take a picture I've seen a few times on Instagram!

LOL!

LOL, touché.

The ergonomics on that workstation are terrible. The screens should be at eye level.

I know ergonomics isn't fun, but it's super important, as injury can be catastrophic.

Could be worth doing a video on.

It’s funny how Youtubers are obsessed with being original but end up copying one another to no end...

Absolutely! I checked off a thirty year-old bucket list item when I saw the final Space Shuttle launch. I was six miles away on the NASA Causeway instead of by the countdown clock. But I wanted pictures for myself. Finding ISO 100 speed film also turned out to be a scavenger hunt.