The 80’s Influence

For the last few days I have been wondering where my “artistic” ideas for my street photography comes from. I am a huge fan of Daido Moriyama and Tatsuo Suzuki and Japanese street photography in general. So it would be an obvious connection.

The truth of the matter however, is, I think it goes further back than that. I think it goes to the 80’s hard rock/metal scene i grew up loving. Barebones, High contrast. It didn’t dawn on me until i was listening to Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child' O’ Mine” on the radio today. I remember the video and it started to take me down memory lane.

Sweet Child O’ Mine- Guns N Roses

Girl Don’t Go Away Mad (Just go away)- Motley Crue

One In a Million- Trixter

The list goes on. Now musical lyrics have always inspired my personal projects. It’s Just the nature of the beast with me. Just because i shoot professionally doesn’t mean I don’t need a creative outlet myself. However, i didn’t realize an entire generation of Mtv (kids ..before youtube, we had Mtv which showed music videos 24/7. The M stood for MUSIC) would be that influential on me.

Just goes to show that everything has a starting point!

That being said, Now that I know the influence, how do i keep that inspiration into making something that I can say is mine. Mine being, we know the influence but what did he do differently so we know its Tim and not Axl or something along those lines. I don’t want to be anyone but myself when i shoot. I feel its ok to take the influence (as been done since time began) but a personal twist needs to be added. That’s the part that I have yet to figure out.

But until then…I’m gonna keep shooting as I have done since 1987. Eventually I will find what I’m looking for!