It’s a difficult task to make work that’s original and authentic. Not allowing the “outside noise” to come in and influence you is also a chore. Influence is incessant. It can be a good thing, but mostly it’s not. Copying or emulating someone or some style is fine as an exercise to work toward something of your own. To live in that space and constantly mimic or replicate work that has already been done is derivative. And that’s not good.
So how do you overcome this problem? The way I do it is to write about my project, think (deeply) about my work, and spend time observing the land, the objects, and the places that I want to make images of - that includes light, directions, perspectives, etc. I get an image in my mind that is directly correlated and supported by the narrative of the work, and I make plates until I have something I want to print. My photographs are loaded with metaphors. It takes time to really observe them and understand what I’m saying non-verbally. I spend a lot of time working out ideas and trying my best to include things that cannot be written about.
I enjoyed undergraduate and graduate school because there were like-minded people I could share work and get feedback from. Work shouldn’t be made in a vacuum; it’s should be made with constructive feedback from people you trust. And even then, the feedback should be taken with caveats. Another reason to reach out and communicate is connection. People that share common interests can turn you on to writers, books, film, and art of all disciplines that may help you find your way through your project. This kind of influence can be good if it’s taken with limitations.
THE PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS
Prickly pear fruit and nopales were used by Native Americans to treat a variety of physical ailments. Nopales in particular were split and applied to open wounds on both humans and animals. Roasted nopales were held on the side of the neck or below the chin to treat rheumatism and mumps. Spines from prickly pear pads were commonly used as needles by many tribes. The deep reds and purples of the tunas were extracted as juice and used to dye textiles.