When is the line crossed between being influenced by a photographer or artist you are a fan of and when are you copying his style and work?

I have been a big fan of the late photographer Jeanloup Sieff for many years, I like the way he composes an image and also how he uses shape, form and textures. He even travelled to Scotland and published many photographs from this part of the world.

Recently I was photographing at the amazing Balintore Castle in Angus, I had an image in my head, to use the track leading up to the Castle as leading lines, with the girl in dress, heels with a nice bag walking along the track, with the castle just visible on the horizon. This is how I remember the Castle from the first time I saw it, I was going mountain biking with a friend on a local hill. I will never forget my first sight, I really couldn't believe it, there had been no mention that we were going near a castle. The Gothic towers shot into the sky, it was as if I had stumbled on Draculas lair by accident.

After the images were made, and the post processing done I started to think about influences and pulled out Jeanloups coffee table book. When I looked at his work I could see such strong influences, beyond anything I had realised. I love this image, its my image, I like my influences, but its not a copy!