As a photographer, no book, person, manual or website can teach you everything you need to know. Persistence, patience and experience shooting are the best things you can do to improve your photo skills. The more you shoot, the more comfortable and familiar you'll become with your equipment and point of view. That being said, I think your greatest resource for inspiration is the work of photographers you admire. Let's talk inspiration!

I love the history of photography and am greatly inspired by artists from a hundred years ago to current stars of the industry. In many ways, the pioneers of image-making were trying to push their available technology, challenge reproduction and invent new aesthetics ... such trailblazers!

The next time you're looking at a magazine you love or you're floating around town at a museum or gallery, look at the photographs and note the artist. If there's something that draws you in, that person is on to something and you can learn a lot by looking at more of their work.

For us at Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn, we largely focus on images of spaces, people, food and objects. In that vein, I'd like to share just a handful of inspiring photographers who also address similar subjects (photos, links and names above in the captions).

I'd like to turn it over to you. Who are your favorite photographers, why do you like them, what can we all learn from them?

Shown Above:
• Todd Selby
• Ditte Isager
• Garance Dore
• Penny De Los Santos
• The Sartorialist

(Images: As credited above.)

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