"Everything that could possibly be invented, has already been invented."
-- Robert Thoms, U.S. Patent Office, 1892
Despite the prophetic wisdom of Mr. Thoms, a few more patents were issued in the 112 years since he said that. A few things happened in the automotive, aerospace, computer, and telecommunications industries, for example.
As a photographer, I've heard people say there is nothing left to photograph. Yet tens of millions of new, unique images are still produced worldwide on a daily basis.
If you go to a location where classic images have been produced in the past, it's important to approach it with the right attitude. Walk away from the classic vistas, the scenic viewpoints, the places you've seen done better by countless other photographers. Seek something different. Follow your own path. You'll find that in a place that's been "all photographed out", there are still billions of opportunities to produce new images uniquely your own.
[ photograph above: Iris Meadow, 2004 ]
