Why do you need to be influenced? Why study anyone? Just play or take photographs, unless of course you have no sense of music or eye. I studied photography at the University of Hawaii and had a one-man show at the Commons Gallery, which the dean said was a “Master’s Equivalent.” But, the point it, I benefited from that education. I loved my instructors/professors, but that’s because I was where I was supposed to be. They were my tribe. They were the geniuses, who helped me see. I remember Gaye Chan asking us questions on a sheet of paper, and yes, the instructors/professors showed us films, the works of other photographers, and one Professor, Robert Rodeck even made us listen to music that seemed out there: Rite of Spring, works by Steve Reich, and John Cage, for example.