Comments on Fluffytek Art Blog: The Worm Turns

Point taken....just a great example of this proble...

2008-01-22T22:53:00.000Z

Point taken....just a great example of this problem existing everywhere.

bt

BT, this was a post about my own experiences (in t...

2008-01-22T19:14:00.000Z

BT, this was a post about my own experiences (in the little ol' UK) and a comment about my impression of the internal politics of the photography world. It was not a comment on anyone in your geographical region.

Simple as that.

I really missed your blog while in Miami over the ...

2008-01-22T18:59:00.000Z

I really missed your blog while in Miami over the last week, and must admit that I looked forward to seeing what topic was on the grill.

I absolutely love the varied opinions expressed on this topic, but was a bit bummed to see the same old horse is still being beat upon. What else can be said on this topic?

In this region, many of us have been the victim of redundant obsessive accusations of plagiarism. I, as well as at least 6 other photographers from this region that I know of personally (probably more) have been the victim of these accusations over the last couple of years, in addition to a few photographers that came into attend the Dirty Show over the last 2 shows (more on my blog about this). All accusations come from the same photographer, including but not limited to obsessive demands to not shoot at specific locations in this region, demanding restrictions of using specific objects in photos..and even in some instances, attempts to restrict the working with some models. This photographer is widely known for making these demands and accusations...and is considered to be a pariah to the Photographic Art Community in this region.

I have often wondered if this photographer was so great, and so many of us were steeling so "blatantly" from him, why is he not recognized as being one of the significant photographers of the day? Quite frankly, as for myself (as I never speak for others)...I see absolutely nothing similar in our work even though I too have been accused of steeling this photographers ideas (not that this person is a bad photographer, but we are vastly different). And quite frankly (don't throw stones if you live in a glass house)...many of this photographers photographs are so similar in appearance to the current and earlier work of several other photographers that I have seen and know of, that just the idea of his claim of plagiarism seems ludicrous. Can you say hypocrisy? With one finger pointing at others, 3 of his own fingers are pointing back at him. I doubt that this photographer has stolen these image ideas, but as is so common, coincidental similarities are the reason (but many disregard this possibility...and believe intentional plagiarism to be the culprit, perhaps out of the need to booster our prominence by accusing others of steeling our beloved ideas?..thus..making us even more important?). But since this photographer consistently is accusing others of doing so, then the photographer in question should also be held to the same standards correct?

Oh well...what do I know not much I guess.......but again....speaking only for myself and my experience as this is the only individual that has ever accused me of steeling their ideas........and I am not speaking for the others that also have been the victim of similar accusations from this individual....but I do know that a few of them do read your bog,...But I am one that refuses to be part of the "Silence of the Lambs" on this issue from here out. As for me, I invite anyone to do their versions of any of my photographs if they choose to do so......I don't care..its an honor...and flattering and if anything, and it does NOT take away from my photographs...instead if adds to them....as I believe that others interpretation of my work is valid art.

I believe that all photographers and artists should have the confidence in their work to stand on its own when they exhibit, regardless of what others do. If not....why would we put something out there for others to see..if we did not have this confidence?

As for the rest of us in this region, collectively we brush off this photographers behavior as being nothing more than a minor annoyance at this point. It's sad that this photographer feels the need to try to bully others (his audience has shrunken greatly). But one bad apple can never spoil the whole bunch, and this region continues to shine with incredible photographers who have confidence in their work, and have not the need to cry to mommy every time they see something that they feel was their idea..or was going to be their idea 2 years down the road.

I have had more than one person who has read his blog ask me "what is wrong with this guy?". I just shrug my shoulders...and sincerely hope that he gets help.

As for me, what else can be said on this topic? Isn't Trigger beat up enough?

Wishing he was back in Sunny warm Miami

bt

Thanks Ed. I've read Art and Fear - one of my favo...

2008-01-20T21:19:00.000Z

Thanks Ed. I've read Art and Fear - one of my favourite books (as you can probably tell!) Am also getting Jensen's books for my birthday this month. I'll add Orland's book to the list. Thanks for the recommendation :-)

Books? How about "Art & Fear" by David Bayles and...

2008-01-20T21:11:00.000Z

Books? How about "Art & Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland... This is a GREAT little book. Ted Orland also wrote "The View From The Studio Door" which has a tremendous amount of insight into the art world.

Lin, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you on you...

2008-01-20T12:55:00.000Z

Lin, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you on your treatment. You read my blog, so you know how I feel about the fact that your health is much, MUCH more important than all the frustrations, backstabbing and nastiness you encounter in this little photography community.
Also, I think I'm going to print out Mr. Wood's comments about CHOICE and glue it in my planner. I agree that life is all about choices. You can let the behaviours of others bring you down, or you can just rise above it, and move forward.

Thanks guys! Just what I needed to hear, plus some...

2008-01-20T09:13:00.000Z

Thanks guys! Just what I needed to hear, plus some very practical help too. I really needed to understand just HOW to change my mindset. It’s all very well trying to ignore other’s bad behaviour, but sometimes it’s difficult to know how to re-program the brain, if you know what I mean. It's not something I’m good at.

Mr Wood, thanks for your wisdom. Incidentally No.2 comes in two weeks. But back to No.1 - The art world displays MUCH more unpleasant behaviour than the accountancy world, believe me. But I take your meaning. As the old adage goes, no-one can make you feel inferior without your consent. You should definitely preach more often, preferably on your own blog please…Nag, nag….BTW, tried the black leather outfit - on me, not Rich - made my ass look HUGE (photos will no doubt appear in due course, more‘s the pity). But you’re right. It did make me feel better.

Grommit, you made me smile! Especially to hear from you after so long. Hope you had a cool Yule and you and Lady T are settled and happy. BTW, photos of last Sep would be nice…Nag, nag!
I'm reading a lot about philosophy and ego at the moment, particularly revevant to art. If you can recommend any good books...The Idiot's guide to Arty Ego's or similar, then I'd love to hear of them.

Again. I really can't comment on the "Photographic...

2008-01-20T05:18:00.000Z

Again. I really can't comment on the "Photographic Art World" aspect of your post as I'm not involved. But as I've heard, "Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one", so here's mine.

You said your going thru a metemorphosis.

met·a·mor·pho·sis
1. A transformation, as by magic or sorcery.
2. A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.

Hey lets go with No.1. Just light a few more candles around the old alter, intone a few more incantations. Then get Rich dressed in a nice black hooded robe with one of those big Egyptian fans so he can cool you down when you get all hot and bothered about shit you can't control.

So, as I see it plagiarism, bitchiness, back-biting, censorship, and general under-hand tactics are typical in almost everything. Then you say ".....many people in this photographic world are nasty, manipulative, selfish. Worse, they are unprofessional." Damn sounds like life to me.

How does this detract from your ability to create? Are these negative people in the studio with you as you pose? Are they setting up the shot and pressing the shutter button? Are they in the room as you write your thoughts on the blog? Are they there when you write or sign a contract or model release? If they are it's only because YOU let them be there. It's your choice.

If I may use a photography term - FOCUS - where is your focus. It seems it's on all the negative and not the positives. You say "Other than the friends I know and trust (which I am happy to say are quite a few),...", yes I think the majority of the photographic art world are good upstanding people who believed in the higher ideals of professional courtesy. If your choice is to focus on these, maybe the others will fade away.

You have the CHOICE to let these negative things weave their way into your life or not.

I don't preach often. But this is where I come from. I suffered a negative life for over forty years, it crippled me, but I dug myself out of a DEEP fucking hole by myself. No Doctors, No therapy, No drugs, No help from family, just a lot of reading, pondering, self reflection and a couple of epiphany's. Am I perfect? NO. Should I preach? No. Am I happier? Yes. I call it a Choice Life. I have a choice to be concerned about what I can't control or not. I have the choice to be happy today or not. I'm still learning to make the choices that make my life a little better and easier each day.

I don't think your naive, I think your a caring and concerned person about the art and industry you are involved in. But don't let these few people affect you and your creativity, just like as it seems to me, to haven't let your cancer rule your life.

As far as getting a thicker hide. Maybe regular floggings will help. Rich could change the black robe for a nice black leather outfit and ... no I don't think that's a good choice. :)

I agree about Amy's beauty.

D.L. Wood

Evenin' all :-)The production of "art" is about t...

2008-01-19T21:18:00.000Z

Evenin' all :-)

The production of "art" is about the "artist" expressing her/his inner self. But to show it to anyone else is nearly always an act of ego, looking for affirmation that the "art" (and by proxy the artist) is somehow special, of more value.

It is the promotion of the "self" to others and thus with it comes the greater likelihood of selfish behaviour.

I'm not in the slightest bit surprised that you've encountered unpleasant behaviour. So long as anyone is showing their "self" as art, they are inviting comparison to others and comparison will always invite jealousy and misunderstanding.

Professionals usually carry out a service to others, for which they are paid. Their trade is often something that, if done without care, may have a damaging effect on their clients. Thus it is the *necessity* of responsibility-to-others that leads to codes of professional conduct.
There's a mechanism to put pressure on "professionals" to behave themselves. They go out of business otherwise.

There's no such pressure on artists. They aren't in it for the money. Most of the time, if they screw up, nobody dies, or loses there home. There's no pressure to behave beyond that nobody will work with them again. And in a world where everyone has free time and can contact potentially millions of other "artists" there will never be a shortage of new people to work with. Nobody can be frozen out, so there's no pressure to behave at all.

I've debated the whole ego thing with my musical buddies. In the end we came to the opinion that if you present your art to the world in order to compete, or looking for glory, you only invite the audience to be critical. Egos get a battering and nobody wins.

Instead we go out on stage with the attitude "we've got something gorgeous to give you as a gift, which we freely share with you and invite you to share with us". By going out and trying to leave egos back in the dressing room, it sets out a different vibe, which the audiences pick up. It works. Result, lots of happy people.

A thicker skin? Maybe. Or perhaps a change in per...

2008-01-19T21:08:00.000Z

A thicker skin? Maybe. Or perhaps a change in perspective. iksodas is correct, all photographers are not cool. Just like all lawyers, mechanics, professors, or nannies are not cool.

What do I do? When it comes to photographers who would otherwise make me frustrated or angry, or pessimistic... I simply acknowledge the fact they exist, and avoid everything about them as much as possible.

There are SO many cool people out there. They're the ones who get my time and attention.

Actually, I'm just going to wish you well in your ...

2008-01-19T20:02:00.000Z

Actually, I'm just going to wish you well in your radiation treatment. Been there, done that. (Thirty years ago; maybe things have changed.) Based on my own experience, the worst side-effect will be a great lethargy that will develop after several sessions. Some people experience nausea -- I hope you are not one of them. In any case, good luck, and get better!

The problem. .is the same I once had.. I confused ...

2008-01-19T19:18:00.000Z

The problem. .is the same I once had..

I confused ownwership of similar toys (such as a camera) as having similar values, that being able to purchase a camera, would instill people with a sense of right, wrong, and originality.

I am quite sure, that given an opportunity, this post will fill with comments along the lines of the "it's all been done before", the last bastion of the unoriginal, and witty or inspiration quotes from third parties, the last bastion of those unskilled in debate, or incapable of original thought.

That attitude, to me, is the death of creativity, the death of an art form, when people will gladly settle for going where others have already tread, claiming to be first, unless caught in the act..