A concept of critical importance to the pursuit of high order nature photography is originality. Everyone wants their images to look fresh, different from their peers, to stand out in a crowd. Originality gets you there. Its the means by which people take a different road. Theyd be going one direction then on a whim, choose a different path. Its the road less traveled to quote someone. Anyone whos worth his or her salt wants it. Few have it. And, fewer still have control over it. To be out in the field struggling over a landscape trying to produce an image that blows people awaywhy settle for anything lessisnt unknown to anyone thats honest with themselves. Ive done everything except magic dances trying to invoke the power of the Originality Gods to get that special insight, the revelation that makes the image happen. Its a confusing, frustrating situation at best. Im here to tell you how to reduce the frustration and perhaps reproduce those moments of ultimate clarity.

First, we have to know what were trying to get. Ill keep things simple to avoid anything that sounds like mojo magic. Weve got enough of that in our lives already. Ive written an article on the Quality of Images. Lets build on those concepts and get our hands dirty trying to be original. First, we back up. I introduced the idea that the vehicle for producing quality images was innovation. While quality is the beginning, the inspiration for all great images, it doesnt get anywhere without a path and a car to get you there. Innovation is the car. It uses your technical and artistic skills to make those great images. One knock-off or copy after another doesnt get you there. Placing your tripod legs in the same holes as the masters doesnt get you there. Innovating, trying new things is the trick to get you there. Its the car that will get you those ooohs and aaaahs. Originality on the other hand is the end state.

Lets throw a couple definitions around:

Quality the highest or finest standard.

This isnt much of a definition for our purposes. But, it points to bowl those impressive images were produced in. Its the context within which the masters ply their trade. From the application point of view, its the perspective any student of quality images should be viewing their workthe highest, finest, uncompromising standards.

Innovation the act or process of inventing or introducing something new.

Notice the road to originality is named Innovation. Its the act of creating something new. Further, note it doesnt say anything about goodness of what your doing. Notice it doesnt care why youre being innovative. Innovation will lead you astray as easily as bringing you your goal. While innovating is the tool to get those great images, in the wrong hands, used from the wrong perspective, innovating can produce bad looking really new things. Youll get no argument from me innovating in a vacuum wont get you anywhere. Youll get really new nothings if innovation doesnt have a guide.

Originality the quality of newness that exists in something not done before or not derived from anything else.

Notice a thread here. Originality is bringing our key words together. Originality; that newness quality that never existed before. It didnt start from anything else. Its really not related to anything. Impersonal innovation brought you originality. The naturethe goodnessof originality is totally based on quality. Start with a poor standard, compromised perspective, youve got crap for originalitygarbage in, garbage out.