Who is your favorite photographer(s) and do you try to emulate them?

Just curious if people try to shoot like the photographers they look up too? My favorites are in no order:

Lee Friedlander
Walker Evans
Robert Frank
WeeGee
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Yeah I look up to Ansel Adams, and on these boards Marc Adamus.

I look to them for inspiration for photographs, and study their techniques, so it might be reflected in my photography but I'm not nearly as good as either of them, obviously.

my favourite photographer is me. Its very difficult for me to take better photos than myself, mainly as we both take the same photos..and coincedentally, at exactly the same time. So, in order for me to become a better photographer, i need to beat myself, which is a seemingly impossible task, but on the other hand i have a secret plan for the future which i dont know about..so hopefully i can catch myself out...

When I first started out I would visit Scott Jordan Levy's site often, but it was rarely updated (it still hasn't been since 2003, his SportsShooter profile since 2005 - anyone know what happened to him?) Being a sports guy I loved going to his site, I think i tried to do a shot similar to his and failed miserably so just started doing things on my own.

I actually do not know of any famous photographers, or even many for that matter... Just my photography teacher, and her assistant...
(C.S Bowlin, and Bethany Tiss)


EDIT: Actually, Jodie Otte is my favorite Child/Portrait photographer... so far,
http://www.jottephotog​raphy.com/

I do love Andy Rouse's photography, but to copy his style would mean losing some of my own. I'm not prepared to do that.

For landscapes, I've learned much from Tim Fitzharris and his book on Landscapes - there are numerous photos, all with descriptions of time of day, f/stop, shutter, film/sensor speed, focal length, and comments on why things were done. I'd say a must for anyone serious about landscape photography.

http://www.amazon.com …r=Tim%20Fitzhar​ris&page=1

He also has written a number of other exellent books.

Edward Weston
Andre Kertesz
Werner Bischof
Eugene Smth
Paul Caponigro
Harry Callahan
Ernst Haas
Nathan Lyons (my teacher at one time)

surrealillusions wrote in post #4675939
my favourite photographer is me. Its very difficult for me to take better photos than myself, mainly as we both take the same photos..and coincedentally, at exactly the same time. So, in order for me to become a better photographer, i need to beat myself, which is a seemingly impossible task, but on the other hand i have a secret plan for the future which i dont know about..so hopefully i can catch myself out...

Thankyou this just brightened my otherwise dreary day in the office!

Jeff Ascough

http://www.jeffascough​.com

Genius.

I'd emulate him if I could. But I can't!

I would really struggle with naming more than one "fmous photographer" (Ansel). But I do look to the work of others for inspiration.

I see nothing wrong with blatently copying the technique used by others as this is a great way to learn.

sm1rf wrote in post #4679311
Thankyou this just brightened my otherwise dreary day in the office!

glad i could be of service!

Dave Black, sports photography. He inspires me but I am no where near his level.

http://www.daveblackph​otography.com/

Heres a few of mine

Adams for technique
Harry Callahan
Bruce Davidson
Robert Frank
Roy DeCarava
Stephen Shore
Edward Weston
Henri Cartier-Bresson

I think we all borrow from the past and those other creatives whos work we admire. Its not just photographers that inspire me and who have influenced me and my work. There are painters, authors, sculptors and musicians that also have inspired my work. The important thing is to take all of these influences and some how try to make it your own.

I would say Galen Rowell. His landscapes are awesome. More though, he was a friendly outgoing person who would talk with tou one to one. Since we lived in the same town I had the opportunity to meet the man on several occasions.