Valle de Cocora, Colombia
I long believed it was pointless to make photos that had already been photographed countless times before. The Taj Mahal, the Empire State Building and all the other landmarks flood the internet, so what is the value in adding your own near-identical version to the mix? With age, I have softened on that stance and I want to share why.
My argument back then, and to a degree even now, is that if you are going to visit the world’s most photographed locations, you may as well try to put a personal spin on the images you make. Look for different angles, vantage points and perspectives. Create photos that others might overlook and give yourself the best chance to stand out from the crowd.
Taj Mahal, India.
What I eventually realized is that I underestimated the importance of a photo simply being yours. Even if your shot looks similar to the many taken before it, that photograph still belongs to you, and that matters.
A picture of the Pyramids of Giza or the Colosseum in Rome becomes a small entry in the journal of your life. It reflects your experience of the world and marks the fact that you were there. In many ways, that can be more meaningful than being original or trying to rise above the norm.
It is also true that not everyone who makes photographs wants to stand out. Many people do not care about social status or artistic recognition. For them, photography is a passion and a way to document what they see, which is its own kind of beauty.
Photograph in whatever way suits you. Be different or be familiar. What matters is that you capture your experience in a way that brings you satisfaction and gives you something you will look back on with pride and joy.
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