“You Must Be Unique to Be Copied”

Is it - really? There is something intriguing about this quote found on the street. It doesn't matter who wrote it. What matters is the powerful message it conveys: you must be unique... But isn't it true that each of us is already unique? Over our lifetime, we've gained various experiences, beliefs, and have more or less extensive knowledge. We live in different places. What's more, we can live right next to each other and still perceive and present reality in completely different ways. Our uniqueness is natural, it doesn't require effort or force.

At the beginning of our photographic journey, we often absorb the works of masters, imitate them, and seek reference points. It's natural – we learn the language of imagery just as children learn to speak, by repeating words they hear, playing with them, arranging them in different ways, and creating their own stories. However, photography is not just about technique or mastering equipment. It's the art of seeing – a deeply personal way of perceiving the world. Each of us has our own mental filter through which we see reality – and it's this filter that makes us unique.

Social media, however, makes it easy to fall into the trap of trends. We see what gets 'clicks', what attracts viewers, and we start to follow it subconsciously. But are we still ourselves then? In this race for popularity, don't we lose our authenticity? In a world saturated with images designed solely to capture attention, it's easy to overshadow what truly sets us apart.

I don't know if I want to be copied, although perhaps being copied is also a form of recognition, proof that our perspective on the world inspires others. But I definitely want to remain unique. I don't want to conform to algorithms that reward flashy, shocking images. I'd rather create photos that are mine – even if they don't get thousands of likes. Because in the long run, authenticity wins. Those who stay true to themselves inspire others and are remembered.

So maybe this quote contains a question, not a statement – a question about our true motivation: why do we photograph?

For me, it is a way of communication - the desire to convey, not with words but with images, how I perceive the world around me. This motivates and drives me. And you- why are you taking photos?

Gallery: 1-FloatingRiver/Cambodia, 2-Gargnano/Italy, 3-Venice/Italy, 4-Warsaw/Poland, 5-Norawank/Armenia, 6-Rome/italy, 7-A Coruna/Spain, 8-NYC/USA, 9-Armenia, 10-Konin/Poland, 11-Pecon/Spain

cover photo & others

My works