May
10
A photo definition of Originality
By
“I am a part of all that I have met…” Ulysses by Lord Alfred Tennyson
What defines originality? Setting out to explore this topic, I quickly realized the simple complicated truth: Everything and nothing is original. Each new idea is spun from a web of past experiences and knowledge.
For instance, can anything claim to be more original then the light bulb. And yet, even Edison’s idea is not original. It’s a thought born from the sun, passed onto the candle, until it became the light bulb.
I realize now, my personal quote “I love all things original“, is fundamentally flawed and probably the result of having heard something from a forgotten source. What I should say is, “I love all things”, for everything is connected, everything is a part of something else. Therefore, originality is beyond any definition I can provide for you.
So I decided to transform this question into my monthly E.Y.D Photo Blog hoping it will spark some illuminating thoughts. To compliment these Social media photos, I have added a few appetizers to meditate upon… Each photo was tagged under Originality, and links directly to the Artists kind enough to share their work on Flickr
Can you define Originality? Drop me a comment with your thoughts on what originality is to you, or just add one idea you think is original.
Related Post:
E.Y.D Photo Blog Part I : The beauty of photography captured in a kiss
E.Y.D Photo Blog Part III : Enchanting Autumn incantations of sublime seasonal change
E.Y.D Photo Blog Part II: orig·i·nal·i·ty
God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.” Shakespeare
Pronunciation: ?-?ri-j?-?na-l?-t? Function: noun Date: 1742
1 : the quality or state of being original 2 : freshness of aspect, design, or style 3 : the power of independent thought or constructive imagination
A
Almost every man wastes part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess, and to gain applause which he cannot keep. ~ Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, 1750
“A quality given to ideas expressed as unique, novel or different from any other previously recognized ideas of a similar nature.”
There is just one life for each of us: our own. ~ Euripides
“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” Herman Melville
How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. ~ Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. ~ Dr. Seuss
“Originality is simply a pair of fresh eyes.” Thomas W. Higginson
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. ~ Confucius
“Utter originality is, of course, out of the question” Ezra Pound
“Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it”
. Laurence J. Peter
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. ~ Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius & it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring…” ~unknown
If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag. ~ Author Unknown
“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. ” C. S. Lewis
“Be yourself” is about the worst advice you can give some people. ~Tom Masson
Originality is nothing by judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another. Voltaire
If you cannot be a poet, be the poem. ~David Carradine
“You’ve gotta be original, because if you’re like someone else, what do they need you for?” Bernadette Peters
“Should we all confess our sins to one another we would all laugh at one another for our lack of originality” Kahlil Gibran
Related Post: E.Y.D Photo Blog Part I : The beauty of photography captured in a kiss
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Originality to me means being true to one's self.
Our education is about imitation. We copy others – our parents, our teachers, our friends. We learn a profession and play the role set for us.
Originality comes when there is no comparison to the past. When there is total immersion in being in the present moment, in being true to who you are, then what comes out has to be original, because everyone, at their root, is also original.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this post. I am glad it sparked a response so quickly. I love how you end your comment, "because everyone, at their root, is also original."
I completely agree…
Thanks for sharing
Jonathan
^_^
totally
I am delighted going through the new topic on originality. You have again come out with a collection of thoughts,quotes and picture quotes on this topic. Come to think of it, you have not put down anything original here yet have managed to weave a insight rich colourful canvas carrying thoughts on originality..an original attempt..I consider you nothing less than original. I am still enjoying the post.
Thank you and keep the great work going.
Geetha
How I wish I could write an original comment on my thought about originality..alas everything which comes out appears imitation..so till the time something bursts forth from within let me just enjoy.
This was a great collection of pictures and quotes. The plagiarized superhero one in particular made me chuckle!
I have to admit. Those are some really unique and interesting pictures. Thanks for sharing this great compilation of pictures and quotes! (=