The work of other photographers can be very inspiring. One of the sources that helps me to discover other work is the magazine Black+White Photography Also, going to exhibitions can be quite refreshing. Recently, I came across some work of and training courses by very interesting photographers, which are listed below (with the latest on top).
Okt 2022 How can a photo be interpreted? Or to be more precise, what is the meaning of a photo. For sure, it depends on the viewer. But there must be more to that. In this video, in the first three minutes, some interesting thoughts are aired. In the remainder of the video, more work of Robert Adams is shown and discussed, underpinning these thoughts.
July 2022 I am continuously inspired by videos by Alec Soth, which are related to photography of course, but these videos address a wider sense too. In the one that I recently encountered he tries to uplift himself from a cynical mood, by discussing some interesting books from his library. He shows how he opens up to change and gets inspired again. In this video he does so, by turning the letter wheel. Also, in other videos, he tells that he sometimes just throws a dart at a map and then does some research on that location. Going there, the trail develops more or less by itself. One thing leads to another in an unpredicted manner. This can lead to surprises. However, of course, there is no guaranteed success. In that perspective, a quote in the video from the musician John Cage "begin anywhere" is appropriate.
In an earlier video on a book about John Cage "Iris Garden", Alec shows the wonderful and extraordinary design of this book, not classically bound but a collection of loose folded pages. I advise you to see it for yourself. For me, this helps to open up to new ideas.
There are many more videos by Soth to be found, but I would like to highlight one video, which is a rambling talk about his latest book "a pound of pictures" in which he tells about his search for new work, what he encounters in this process and how his work is influenced by other photographers, all in a very open and honest way
March 2022 An interesting story on the famous photograph "Moonrise over Hernandez" by Ansel Adams. This picture appears to be not only (what one might call) a 'lucky shot'. Given the circumstances as described here it almost did not exist at all. Also, the printing of this picture, as it is known, has gone through several stages.
November 2021 Alec Soth: trailer of his online course, definitely worth the investment. Even in the unlikely case, that you don't like his work, try his presentation about Eggleston's foto book "Democratic Forest" and particularly the last part of it, that starts at 31:25 about Eggleston's Guide and (as Soth tells) the incredible editing of it. But there is also another great video on different photographic approaches to the sequential presentation of time.
Earlier:
Black+White Photo Magazine (on Instagram)
Wil Westerweel (Urbex)