I am not relevant anymore - RED35 VLOG 131
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Photography development used to be slow and predictable. But digitalisation has transformed this well recognised art form and pushed towards a direction that I don't recognised. Photographers who chase lights have become photographers who chase likes. Have we forgotten why we picked up a camera in the first place?
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As long as someone enjoys your content you are relevant.
I’m a retired guy and long time photography enthusiast. I never think about relevance only whether I enjoy what I’m doing. Of course, you’re a professional making a living with photography so your perspective is necessarily different from mine. However, chasing relevance might commoditize your images at the expense of your personal technique, brand, or preferences. You’re one of the few people I follow and who provides me with inspiration and quality guidance. That makes you very relevant for me. Keep up the good work!
I am also retired, and happily strictly amateur in photography... I take photos because I want to. Working to please clients and potential clients does not sound like fun. My hobby and my job (database system developer) are two separate worlds.
We need people like you now more than ever! The camera space has gotten pretty toxic as of late. Your channel is like a breath of fresh air away from all that noise.
You are honest, you are relevant, your videos are educational, interesting. You make a (very positive) difference!
Jimmy, I always enjoy hearing your thoughts on topics like this. I just came off several weeks break from UA-cam content creation. I was getting lost in the worry of views and likes and overwhelmed by the need to address all comments. And I somehow lost my joy of the creative process along the way. I needed to get back to shooting just for fun without ulterior motives or the need to share everything I do. I had a good cleanse.
Also, I just love all your b-roll in this piece. I know that this type of production takes a lot of time to do, and most people would take the easy way out and skip that part and just do the talking head.
I agree with your sentiments 100% You are a true artistic photographer, which is a rare thing these days (as you correctly point out). I look at your images and they make me..., 'stop'... and try to appreciate the message you are conveying. That is photography. I don't understand why people just try to replicate what someone else has already done!? Anyway, please continue your lovely work, I look forward to enjoying more of your clever, thoughtful, and thought provoking images!
Agree with your thoughts. Started back in 1970s and never worried about my relevance. Makes me think of one of my favorite quotes. Ask yourself: “Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream?” - Ansel Adams. That’s is how I view my photography. Enjoy your content, keep up the great work
Jimmy, thanks for another of your thoughtful insights. I am not a photographer. I am a bloke with a camera who likes to take the odd picture, and, yes, share it. But there is always the "why," and I agree that the why is important. My images reflect what I want to capture. If others like it, that's nice. If they don't, that's fine, too.
Anyway, you are relevant. You are a craftsman who stands out from the crowd. Please keep doing what you do, saying what you say, and being an inspiration to us to all be better with our passion. Oh, and stay sharp, like Grandpa's knife!
The reason I started watching your videos is because you were having fun, you were you, the jokes were natural, and the models enjoyed doing the shoot with you. They were comfortable with the clothing they wore, not wearing "likes" clothing. Being you was the main draw for me, please try to get back to you, don't worry about some people that complain. Get the people that like you for you. As they say, you can't please them all. Do your thing, and do it well.
Clout and popularity have always watered down any and all scene that you can think of - music, art, photography, etc. Never stop Jimmy, there is an audience for any of us, they will grabitate towards "their" creator, always and with no exception. The reat is just background noise, even if it's sometimes a deafening noise. Keep being you! Thise if us that youve touched and unspired, appreciate you! 🤙
i'm still here even though I've moved back to full frame - You are you. Thats not a bad thing
Just because the times are changing, doesn't mean we have to change with it. Everyone will be the same and you will be unique. Don't ever change, we are on your side.
Love this video Jimmy - I totally agree with the way you think here. So many people just rush to create content and throw it online for "likes". As you said in your video, it's important to consider why a photographer takes a picture and what story is being told. Maybe that's the difference between a content creator and a real photographer - that is - a real photographer is truly passionate about a photograph and asks himself - why am I taking this picture in the first place. Personally, I love photography and will always be passionate about the photos that I take and I hope you will too!
This is your best video to date, an honest look at your work and what you enjoy the most, what motivates you, thank you.
Just enjoy photography! 😉
Thank you so much for making this video !! 👏
I think that everything you said in the video shows one thing - this is why right now you *are* relevant, the most relevant...the world needs something different, everyone photograph the same thing, the same location, every photo is the same from start to finish, and this is why "different" is the most relevant thing at the moment.
I can say the same about myself, I have a canon r6 with 3 RF L lenses, and I'm "downgrading" back to my olympus em5 mark 2, just to get everything more "slow" and start thinking about the photo and the story once again and not just taking another snapshot of the same thing that's already on the internet (x1 milion), everyone wants the newest technology, to be "relevant", so they can get the same photo as others, so they'll get all the likes on social media and such, but it takes out the soul of this art imo...that's another reason why I'm rarely (if even) posting my photos online anymore, I just want me and everyone around me to enjoy these photos, and not the 5 likes on instagram that'll make me quit photography because likes and such is all that matter these days
Today I'm not sharing my photos online, I'm printing them, and making photo albums to remember it more than just an instagram feed that one day will vanish
"I shoot (photos), therefore I am"
Great video Jimmy, keep your creative fire burning. Keep up your motivation to take photos.
I try to ignore the criticism (mainly from family members).
-Why carry a camera when you can use a phone?
-Why waste time changing lenses?
-A phone can post photos and share photos straight away
-Why are the photos from the camera so dark, colours not oversaturated?
Wonderful video and images Jimmy, thanks for sharing. I think we need more channels like this where content is about emotions, creativity and art. As others have pointed out, the proliferation of 'game changer' product reviews has become a race to the bottom egged on by consumers with more money than sense.
Jimmy, if you love what you do & have the passion in your heart to do it regardless as to whether it makes you money or not, then you have found the path that is right for you. Obviously, you have to make a living, but it is important that you enjoy the process of photography & sharing your insights with others. Best wishes for your channel, I have always enjoyed your content.😊
The more people who stop worrying about likes and simply do things because they enjoy it, the better off we'll all be. Carry on!
Excellent points mentioned in this video ! Totally agree, the quest for "likes" is limiting a few photographers I know. Sticking to the "formula" to get more likes is more important than the creativity they once had.
Good to hear your perspective of Photography, which I wholeheartedly share! Carrry on like that!
I've been watching every video of you since the end of 2020 when I got my fist M43 camera. I learned a lot from you and watched even older review videos everytime I thought of buying a new lens. I think you are a pleasant guy who puts a lot of passion into these videos - and that's all I need to be interested in watching your work again and again when a new video appears on my subscription timeline. Please keep up the great work.
As long as you still enjoy doing what you are doing you are relevant to yourself and your own art and THAT is what truly matters. Thank you for taking us along.
As others have said your content, knowledge, passion to teach has helped us all. So you very relevant. Thank you and continue doing what you do.
Hey Jimmy, with any 'trend' there is a tiny percentage of people who through luck & timing strike it big. The majority however do not. One of your strengths is your authenticity. It may not get you 500k followers, but it is a sustainable brand because it is who you are. Because of that, you will last.
Also, I loved your comments about the 'why'. That is so true!
I understand where you’re coming from : your a purest, A professional at what you do and people trust your opinion, comes from the soul : just because some one has a good camera doesn’t mean there a pro : or can take a good photograph: if you look in most industries, sports professions, & hobbies your find the same issues : keep up the good work x
You are very relevant to me, while we don't know each other when I see your videos come up on here I see you as a friend and mentor. I have learned a lot from you and I love your way of presenting things. You resonated with me from the start and you are a one of the main reasons I bought into the Olympus system. Thank you for all you give on here. I am only a part-time pro and like you, much of my client work is not shared. I shoot for me, I love that many come to me because my style is not the typical copy cat/follow the crowd work. I take inspiration from others but always do my best to make it my own. If you are aiming to be "relevant" then you are aiming too low. You are much better than that and I am happy you know better than to follow the "influencers" and make your images your own way.
The age of social media can be overwhelming, and it's easy to feel overshadowed by the sheer volume of content out there. Remember that your unique vision and style are irreplaceable. No one sees the world quite like you do, and that personal touch is what sets your work apart. Social media can sometimes make us feel like we need to conform to trends to be noticed, but authenticity is what truly resonates with people. As a photographer myself, I couldn’t care less about relevance. I photograph for myself, for the joy it brings me, and for the stories I want to tell. This personal motivation keeps my work genuine and fulfilling, regardless of how it's received on social media.
Your work matters. It matters to the people who see it, to those who are touched by it, and most importantly, it matters because it's an expression of who you are.
You are elevant, just please go on. Contennt you share is valuable for us who love and understand photography. Thanks
You're still relevant to us 🙂
I fell in love with photography six years ago. At first I just wanted a camera to be able to take some photos as illustrations for what I was writing about, but when I discovered photography, real photography, how to use it, what it does for us, and for me personally, both as a tool for telling stories, to create, and - probably most importantly - for me personally to experience the world and its beauty while allowing me to disconnect, I just fell in love and it became the most important thing to me.
Sadly, as with most new photographers, the whole gear aspect took over and at one point it became more about getting the newest and best. In the end I got tired of it, figured out that for what I was doing it wasn't worth it, switched to MFT which gave me the passion back again as well as allowed me to focus on my original purpose, but with the extra level of love of photography.
I don't really post images for likes. When I do, I do it for illustration and telling a story, always with text. My images are not my product, but rather part of my product. And now I just really enjoy doing that part of it just for the sake of doing it. The results never come out right efter I take the shots, only much later.
Red you are an icon. At least in this space and time. You and your elk are the end of a generation of photographers. It doesn't mean it's the end of the line. You can remember film and mechanical bodies and the status that came with that time of photographers. Just like you are not from the generation of photographers that where seen as magical. Images can change. That is all this is. change. Please keep up your work on here and in photography. You are relevant to me. The ever keen hobbyist
A bit harsh, calling Rod Lawton an elk.
We love you both.
Good photography is always defined by the "Why", I completely agree. Well said!
You are more than relevant Jimmy. Your content is always interesting and useful. And you are one of the few photographers that is also involved in video. Keep on posting and what about a photo / video walk again in London. I just shoot photos and video for myself and my enjoyment and fun. Peace ✌️😊
Breath of fresh air video. mega thanks . 🤠👍
Mate I'm an old amateur photographer. From 70s until now. And recently migrated to Digital ( Olympus PEN E-P3 and then E-M1) and have found your channel only recently and have learnt from it. It's great!! I do agree on Instagram I started there as a photography social community in 2011. There have been massive changes with rhe kind of person posting there. In 2011 I was focused on iphoneography and rhe Melbourne Instagram group was an awesome social community with monthly meetups. I made many friends. When I had my stroke in 2012.It was only instagramers that visited me in hospital. The last Meetup was a year ago and rhe people couldn't have cared less about photography, just selfies.No community.
People will get back to the root when the hype is over. Keep it up! Your #1 fans!
Hi, Jimmy, you caught me by a catchy title here suggesting something really personal will unfold. It is exactly what has been badly missing from most of the content here on UA-cam. The story telling, the emotion, the life. I perceive you as an reviewer of class, with more refined approach than the most albeit bound and pressurized by Olympus/OM System brand promotion. I do agree on certain superiority of Olympus over Panasonic, because photographer in me is older than the videographer in me, thus there you got me. I also share your frustration for not being allowed to publish my personal photographs of some people and families, or the children, who are my most beloved subject. Kids, being so close to the ideal pure world of our original impressions of the world, the poetry which we adults somewhere along the way growing up seem to sadly lose from sight.
I do have an ambivalent feeling over your take here - there is so much confusion in this video, like this is just a try. But there are some points, ideas and topics that would be hitting the nail on the head were they not wrapped in so much loose chatter and left after merely a short notion.
Yes, I share your stated devotion to the *story-telling* potential of photography. In all my ideals, it comes at the second place yielding only to the photography with the elements of poetry. And no, I don't agree that the rest doesn't have the right to exist. This is a democratic medium and all genres are welcome. Save for those "specialists" that exploit the human darker sides and capitalize on indecency.
The click-like-fave-subscribe-view mania and how the platforms stimulate that is a different topic. Some extremely relevant topics you mention deserve more than just a casual stroll. I hail your spontaneous approach without a script, but this has remained too superficial. Many of your videos I have watched twice, but this one was enough once only ;) You _are_ relevant, very much so, but you can do better :)
It is incredible that we have to be so careful when speaking, apologize in advance, clarify every second what we are talking about... it is uncomfortable. And I feel the same, the world of photography has changed, but the reasons why I wanted to learn photography have not. :) thanks for the video.
totally feel you! these days i get very tired of the formulated youtube video.
loving the back to basics simple video logs. just like this! do what you like! and someone will like what you do ･ᴗ･
Definitely a lot of truth with ppl fishing for "likes", funnily enough - to help them feel they are relevant. I always enjoy your informative vids and will continue to do so. Do you need to change, keep up with the world? I don't believe so - your work is be valued by your clients. If your clien't needs change, then you may want to look at different options to retain those clients for your income. Thanks for all you put out on UA-cam - appreciate it!
I embraced my online irrelevance several years ago. It was refreshing. I photograph for the enjoyment, the shutter therapy, the capturing of moments that mean something to me. Likes are overrated. And they have little to do with relevance or impact.
There are other photographers who are concerned with the elements of art, e.g. line, tone, colour, shape, composition. Their approach is the effect of combining all or part of the elements together in an excellent way. They are not trying to tell a story or it is secondary to what they are doing. I am a painter as well and my aim is to create beautiful photographs and paintings. If someone sees them and it gives them a respite and moment of enjoyment that is what I am aiming for. I not after relevance. If someone likes my photography or painting it is a bonus. In the end it is what I think of my photography or paintings matters. There are different types of photographers and we need to accept them all. In the meantime keep doing what you do and you are educating and enjoyable. Also people do not see a lot of what photographers see. They may not see a pattern of shadows on a wall for example. I know when I look at an exhibition of a large amount of paintings I get sensory overload and the same happens if I look at a large amount of paintings or photographs on social media. So I try to limit how much I see.
Always enjoy your videos Jimmy. Great personality, very knowledgeable, value your opinion. I also like the fact that you seem to remain completely independent, something that seems to be becoming rarer these days ( I am not comfortable anymore with UA-camrs having trips paid for to review products such as the S9). Keep doing what you do, Rich.
I'd say you are very relevant. Firstly, whether you realise it or not, you've been very influential and recently so. That makes you relevant. Plus the amount of people who watch your channel. That makes you relevant. I can see how you'd have self-doubts, but I've always considered your points of view thorough, entertaining, unique and honest and that's what makes other people want to watch you!
Every one who clicks pictures with a camera or smartphone are photographers , those who do the same thing without having the inner compulsion of showing them on social media are genuine photographers like you are.
I often think of the words of the Taoist philosopher Lau Tzu: "the fastest way to catch something is to stop chasing it." Just try to capture images which are meaningful to you, and those capable of comprehending how those feelings are embedded in the picture which you've created will appreciate your work. Don't worry about those who can't see what you do.
Thank you for making this video, I've currently been struggling on this very topic of changing my photography to suit the algorithm because I do KNOW the formula but I've chosen not to use it and I feel like I've continuously paid for it with my middling views and likes. But this video helped me stay true to myself. Also I love the art of photography and talking about gear and I bet there are plenty more ppl like me out there which means you'll ALWAYS be relevant to us.
Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, saying or making man :) You just keep doing your thing :)
Jimmy, you are more relevant now than ever. You have so much passion and a story to tell. You keep photography true!
The world is changing... or has. And a lot of us havent changed with it. I think what youre feeling is completely rational. I kind of left photography personally for the reason you have discussed in the video. My photography is now only personal. I dont share photos online at all. I only print for myself and family. Im not a professional so thats not possible for people who make a living taking photographs, but shooting the way I shoot now has taken the pressure off and made things fun again.
With the recent lumix s9 drama, I have unfollowed a lot of the well known camera UA-camrs because of their clear bias. I think on YT as long as you are having fun, staying true and honest to yourself and your audience you will never be irrelevant.
I've always looked at ALL UA-cam "photographers" with a grain of salt... They're all influencers and ad agents, first and foremost, so everyone should do with that as they please. Camera tech tips and features, sure, thank you for that, I'd be damned if I ever read the manual, but how to shoot, what to shoot, why shoot, thank you - that's all me 😅
I agree with alot of your sentiment, and had these thoughts and feelings too within my own work, both my content creation art life and even my professional architect life. I really only use Ai to help with the written word as I am dyslexic but this is how I see Ai now and in the future is just as another tool not final product as I believe (at the moment at least) that it will all look the same and even looks souless at times. Prime Human example of this is what you were talking about in Japan, everyone trying to get the same shot for likes etc, why? wheres the passion the storytelling the depth of the image? (An image can speak a thousand words) and as for Relevannce you will always be relevant to me! I bought the sexy blue olympus pen because of your advice, and now even though i have out grown that camera and moved to a Sony A7cii I still come back and watch your videos purely because you are (in my eyes) being you and not trying influence anybody which i think will get rare. So Thank You for just being here and sharing your views, I very much apperactice it.
Don't think that you aren't relevant Jimmy. Your love of photography is always infectious and you do find some great kit to review, I should know I've bought some of it! (don't tell the wife) :). I don't do much on UA-cam and nothing at all on Instagram and I don't produce (deliberate choice of word) photographs specifically for any social media site, I take them because that's what I love doing. I post to my blog and have done so for the last 10 years and have many photographer friends there as I do on the SeetheWorld group. I think that there are many others, like myself, that watch and enjoy your content because it's refreshing and isn't just the same old regurgitated canned pap produced to a formula for subscribers and likes and we have come to know and trust you through the channel and you make it fun, if it isn't fun then why are any of us still taking photographs?. I still get a thrill just holding a camera and really enjoy seeing what I can find when I get out and about. Keep on doing what you do my friend. Cheers, Leigh
I think this is society as a whole today. All people care about is likes. Or who has the most followers. What I have appreciated about you and your work is honesty. For me I love photography because it is something I’m always challenged to learn more about and get better at. My relevance as a photographer is not based on what others think. I’m not saying that it would not be great if someone appreciates an image I made. That would be great, but I’m happy either way. When the time comes for me to stop doing what I love, that decision will not be based on the likes of others.
You are relevant … content is stuff.
“Content creator” is a mental/economic/social trap.
Enjoy the photography experience.
You are relevant!
An interesting and contemplative video. I wonder where this social media trend will go and how it will continue to shape things. I picked up a camera over 40 years ago and my reasons for picking one up haven't changed much but successive generations of new photographers are using photography in an entirely different way. I wonder if I was starting now at the same age if I'd be doing the same thing - probably. I feel the real power of photography hasn't changed though and that particular power is the ability of the camera to document things. It has a power no other medium has.
If following your channel is an intelligent and relevant act for us, you are relevant.
Love your stuff. Keep at it. You inspired me to get into MFT and my photography interest and skills have increased a lot.
More importantly, you are a POSITIVE force. So much is negative and nitpicky online. You are always positive. Keep at it!
Hi Jimmy, love your channel & content.I love the memory that the shots I take bring back when review them. I post to give local people who can't get out to were I walk to show of the beauty of our area. As you also said sometimes its just great to get out with your camera & go though the motions. Keep up the great work.
I just take pictures to upload to social media. I will never make a living from photography and I enjoy sharing pictures I have taken.
You are relevant to me while you keep doing what you have done so far. I have been a 'photographer for 76 of my 86 years. And 50 of those with Olympus mostly.
I get hardly many UA-cam views or subscribers and my channel is 13 years old. i get very few Instagram likes but I don't create content for likes and followers. My aim is to document a story, i have gone back to shooting film more as it encourages me to think more about composition. I have been shooting photos since 1979, its my passion and yes when I started photography there was no such thing as social media. Red keep posting
As long as you love what you do and are passionate about photography you will be relevant, as far as people with cell phone users being called photograpers pay them no mind.
You are truly relevant to me! You inspire me every time I listen to, and watch, you (and Rod of course!)! Regards
Agreed with you the world is moving too fast. Now people can shoot photos with new machines i.e smartphone to fulfill their interest, to share with friends instantly or post on social medias to earn views. To them it is great because it is impossible and beyond their inmigination 10 or 20 years ago.
Sometimes I like to see their posts too, but I won't miss your new video everytime.
Jimmy don't get caught up with what others are doing, focus on your work and vision. I'm a pro, I've been working in photography since 1986. 90 percent is business 10 percent is actual photography. We either licence non commissioned or commissioned work. The competition is fierce, so many photographers out there in every genre. To make a living you gotta be good enough to sell enough work to make a comfortable living. That is the measure, you have good years and you have bad ones but believing in yourself, constantly learning and improving and developing your style will improve your success to get more clients and more billings. Those who post images for likes or followers, that fine, they get likes and their free content generates instagram billions in revenue from people posting for gratification. Likes don't get you much, followers will help generate some income but is that why you became a professional? I think passion and love of the craft is what hooked you. I love your posts and content, keep up the good work and keep starting conversations like this one, it makes the discussion on today's imaging relevant.
i like Olympus!❤ great Brand! and also like you man. Cheer up!😊
Could not disagree more, nor just relevant but treasured.
You are relevant. Just do what you do.
Ai will never replace true photography just as smart phones failed at replacing professional cameras. True artists & those who appreciate art will pay no attention to computer generated quick art. Businesses small ones in particular however are a different story. They are the ones that will unfortunately opt for cheaper faster art than the real more expensive ones. Your content will always be relevant to most of us. Keep up the good work.
You are a great photographer. I've been following you for a while. What you do has great relevance, my experience living is far north Queensland is that people I've me do use their smartphones, but at the same time really understand, love, and respect real photography. Please continue as you are adapt, and change as necessary but never forget that the images you capture and create are very relevant,
“I took them, because I want to remember them…” 🙏
In a nutshell, you now have a living you love, and a fullfilling hobby.
Meanwhile you enjoy us with your information.
RIP David Thorpe - he was a great Great GREAT photographer, narrator, and youtuber, may he rest in peace. You're a good dude, why? Because you actually care - and that's *REALLY* important! F*** the like-seekers - worship the people who do it for the love. My 2c.
thoughtful photos and those by a talented photographer almost always stand out in the crowd. that will always be the case.
Thanks for the video! I love following your channel, learn a lot and enjoy watching your videos. In this respect, you are absolutely relevant to me 👍
I 'liked' this one Jimmy :) I have little time for the popular social media, save a few channels including yours where I see ideas and experiences that can inspire me. So the likes-chasers get nothing from me. I enjoy photography mostly for the extra set of eyes it gives me on how I see the world. Busy life, don't do as much as I'd like to. Your enthusiasm for the art and craft of it makes your content relevant to me, mate.
You're relevant to me. And I'm very much looking forward to the video on that Super Nokton you bought on your last trip. As for photography going in a certain direction: mass produce has always meant a reduction in both quality and diversity, in particular for the wider audience. The good thing is that real quality always wins in the end - albeit for a smaller audience and at a 'premium' price (i.e. the real price of the actual thing). Just keep doing your thing, your way, and keep doing it well. Cheers!
Exactly my approach to photography, we definitely should drink some coffee in london some time.... ))
You are very relevant, the info and content of your videos is always very informative. Keep up the good work.
Your videos are always enjoyable to watch.
Your presence is worthwhile checking out latest information
You bring a lot of added value as you use your photography to help viewers / followers with their technique and improve their skill levels, you're not just putting at 1080x1080 pixel pic up on Insta. Personally I have made kit choices based on your videos and a few others I follow and also changed some of my methods. I'm primarily a video person but some of my photography is now used commercially.
you still are 💟
Some people don't have the creativity and want to replicate, which is fine - we all start off this way, by replicating shots we like and we don't know where people are on their photographing journey.
I think trying to define what photography should be is as useless as defining what art is. Everyone has a different definition where none and all are correct at the same time. It seems to be whatever the person wants it to be.
I couldn’t agree more with this statement.
If you are really saying "Iam not relevant anymore" is that not just putting yourself down which in time will damage your motivation and creativity? If you are saying "Social media is not so relevant anymore for me" then that seems a perfectly reasonable postion to hold and you are not putting yourself down in the process. If you are able to earn an income from your professional work thats all to the good. You are not dependant on pleasing the social media. Thus you can explore your creativity through your personal work without any external pressures.
Are you looking for some cuddle? I am not a photographer, I don't exchanging those images I took in a market. What I love about "photographers" on YT, is to share the many ways of "seeing" our world, whatever subject it is. Then there is the emotion of sharing an emotion through images. So you are as relevant as anyone... Then there is the intimate journey of a photographer... which is intimate :-))
It's all about reviews and fancy studios these days. But they do it for the travels. The brands know it and that's why they send invites. Free marketing.
Thanks for the discussion. You are in a bit of a bind. A working professional photographer as well as someone who likes taking photographs for themself. For those with the luxury of existing in the latter world everything else is irrelevant. Personal work equals the search for authenticity, meaning, feelings and well seen images. OTOH we live in a world totally saturated with overly dramatic images as well as a lot of visual crap that is designed to elicit knee jerk 'likes'. Stick to YOUR passions. Best wishes!
At least you are relevant in your own life! ❤❤❤
Well you summed it up and with all the noise as photographer or photographers let the photos come to you
Keep it going. Great as always
I think any "photographer" wants to show what he's seen somewhere or maybe imagined to see. And it's ok she/he wants to show it. But some want to just attract attention on social media and try to find out how to do this. Others simply want to share where they are or where they've been and I'm fine with that too. But that's all very different from the photos attracting me over so many years, and which are sharing with me a view of the world that's new and even thrilling to me. And that said, I'd like to confess that all the digital postprocessing, no matter if it's done by a true master of that art or by an AI, is just nothing for me. I'd like to be more the kind of a real-time-photographer catching a moment in time that makes me freeze and think and maybe even someone else too. And with that in mind the trillions of photos that I see do shrink to the few photos I remember and which keep touching me emotionally. So please go on with what's relevant to you and there will be some to whom it'll be relevant too.
Something has changed in recent years, even if it is difficult to describe. But it has turned away from photography. I don't think it's just the run on likes. For me, it's crucial that I continue to enjoy the process of photography, that it lets me go out and discover new things again and again. If a beautiful picture comes out at the end of the day, it rounds off the experience.
To draw a similar analogy with photography is that anyone can claim to be a philosopher. We all can have philosophical thoughts about the nature of reality, the nature of personal identity, what really is time, ethical theory, what is the good. However philosopher's in the academic take this to a level of depth and breadth which I suspect also applies to photographer's like for example birders who construct hides and sit for hours to get the shot.
There are photographers and there are people who take pictures. I don't know that much has changed in the world aside from the ease of self promotion - not everyone appreciates or can even interpret art, but those who can and do, see and appreciate it.
Interesting topic ... I'm not sure that relevance is the same as popularity, which is really what those chasing "likes" are pursuing (I can't really call them "photographers" ... sorry.). Relevance is a bit like a reputation in the it is built and earned over time through your work, integrity, and perspective. Looking through that lens, I believe you are very relevant. You have a deep history of work with a strong reputation for producing photographs with meaning, purpose, and a story that will live on long past the fleeting moment of "likes" generated in social media.
It takes a lifetime to build relevance. You've earned that, cherish it and don't worry about the "likes" ... those who know, know.
TikTok changed the landscape. The new generation’s shopping dynamic is more than often based on what’s trending on TikTok and that’s including cameras, lenses and anything in between.