Learning by Looking

[ABERS]

One thing is for sure, too much 'looking' can lead to emulation; so I tend to prefer to just photograph and edit in my own way (with the occasional viewing of others work) 

May be for some, it depends on the breadth of the work that you look at. I find it leads to stimulation.

[Sandy]

it would be hard to copy her work these days, and I really enjoyed seeing what she had achieved. It must have been a hard life because she used a film a day which must have cost a lot.

[Andrew]

Learning by Looking?

Isn't that how we all do it? To some degree or other?
More so when you go out as a group, and get amazed at how different people view the same scene.

I don't know half the 'world famous' photographers by name. But I'm sure I'd recognise their images if I saw them.
I don't really care about the names - I care about whether the image works for me or not - and on occasions use it as inspiration for something of my own doing.
Of course - then you have the challenge of not creating a complete reproduction but something with your own take embedded within it.

I don't chase to get to every exhibition possible, but nor do I see a picture and ignore it. Especailly those lovely little tea rooms in the sticks or seaside that display pics from a local photographer and a chance to buy. Those ones a more fun - because then I'm not only judging the picture, but I'm also judging the price.

Ahhh - the world of photography - a solo activity so often dependent on the interaction with other photographers 

[Oldboy]

Was in Brum today and came across pictures of Britain from above by Aerofilms outside the Library of Birmingham. Posted a link below to their website. 

http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/