Same, Same But Different

Referencing, copying and adaptation are all around us, however our need for authenticity and uniqueness is bigger than ever. No matter where you look, we are surrounded by all kinds of great ideas. Yet when we do our work, most of us ignore them. Instead, our egos force us to re-invent the wheel, over and over again. As if we want to state: ‘it’s only ME that came up with all of this. I thought of this, and no one else.’ However, if there is a perfectly fine wheel available, why would you put all that time and effort in reinventing it again? There are so many great ideas already there, just waiting to be used.

‘Same, Same But Different’ challenges the taboo of using the same idea twice. Over 3 years, Max Siedentopf sent a series of ideas in the shape of drawings and short descriptions to over 50 international photographers to quite literally photograph the same idea.

In our constant hunt for unique ideas and authenticity, we often forget that execution matters just the same. Maybe even more.

‘Same, Same But Different’ illustrates that having the same starting point (an idea) actually emphasizes the artist’s own interpretation in the various end results. So let’s be open to both new and old ideas, because if you look hard enough you’ll find that everything has been done before. Don’t let that discourage you!

The idea is just the start.

Concept and ideas by
Max Siedentopf

Photographs by
Andrea Artemisio, Annie Collinge, Anouk Van Kalmthout, Arielle Bobb-Willis, Barrie Hullegie, Brian Galderisi, Boris Camaca, Caroline Tompkins, Chris Schoonover, Clifford Jago, David Avazzadeh, Dexter Lander, Dham Srifuengfung, Dima Hohlov, Eamonn Freel, Elizabeth Gabrielle Lee, Emmie America, Francesco Nazardo, Henry Gorse, Imke Ligthart, Jack Buster, Jan Hoek, Jennifer Cheng, Jo Duck, Jp Bonino, Julia Et Vincent, Kelia Anne MacCluskey, Lena & Zoe, Lucy Alex Mac, Lukas Korschan, Luke Stephenson, Marloes Haarmans, Maxwell Granger, Michiel Meewis, Olesya Asanova, Parker Day, Paul Rousteau, Peggy Kuiper, Peter Puklus, Reece + Dean, Romain Sellier, Ruinez, Sanja Marusic, Sarah Blais, Scandebergs, Sebastian Henkel, Trisha Ward