What are your thoughts on borrowing other people's photographic ideas? It could be a certain composition, subject, post processing technique, style, etc. I know we all get inspired by seeing other photos but to what extent do you take that information and incorporate it into your work?
I bring this up because I found a photo that I liked on the website of a photographer I admire. I then shot a similar photo at home...not an exact copy but with similarities in the finished look. While I'm very happy with the way my photo turned out I'm left with the feeling that it's not "mine".
Is that kind of scenario better left as a tool for learning, just another block in developing my own style, a nice nod in the direction of the photographer, or a violation of the "rules"?
Looking forward to hearing your opinions on this.