Social Media Ruined Photography
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- We’re discussing how social media might have ruined photography and what we can do to keep our love of this amazing art alive for many years to come.
• Social Media Ruined Ph...
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We’re discussing how social media might have ruined photography and what we can do to keep our love of this amazing art alive for many years to come.
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What I've been saying for a while now. Not only has social media ruined photography, social media has ruined society. Should be called antisocial media.
Yes. I’ve lost practically everyone lol.
I'm pretty much done with FB. I quit IG and Twitter.
@@kennithe.carroll1204 we are growing in numbers.
I couldn't agree more Sara.
I was somewhat anti-social before social media. Also, you are blaming inanimate objects for people's bad behavior
One of the things social media ruined for me is experiencing landscape photography. I get fed so many photoshopped blended landscapes in promoted photos that my first impulse when I see a really striking landscape photo is "well that's a nice stitch up job" (or sometimes not so nice).
I kicked out Facebook & Twitter years ago, I've deleted my instagram account months ago (and made a book out of all my pictures from there). I'm soooo relieved. I will never ever go back there. Social Media is poison.
Me too. I'm concentrating on Prints and cards and books. Just today I printed out an image of a couple of people I know that I took on the street at a street dance last Summer. I've been telling her that I'm going to give her the photo but I doubt that she realized that I was going to hand her a print. She was thrilled. I'm done with screens and I'm done with social media. I want to talk to people face to face, walk up to strangers on the street.
You are so right! 👍🏻😀👍🏻 Freeeeeeeeeeeeedddoooommmm ! (From the social media whirlwind) Geat! 😉 📸
Why does Twitter even exist?
closing instagram and making a book from the photos is a great idea...cheers I might look into doing that 👍👍
To me it was a perfect way to close my „Insta chapter“ 😉 I finished it and I feel no need to go on there ⛔️👍
I recently left all social media channel’s except YT because, like many others, I found them to be out right poisonous. I kept UA-cam simply because it was the one place I could see authentic creators share their images and stories in the field and learn for myself how I can improve my photography.
Videos like yours (and other photographers) is my absolute favourite way to enjoy content and is the one place I genuinely find myself looking to hit the ‘like’ button.
Thanks James. To me UA-cam feels very different. Requires a larger commitment from both the creator and the viewer than the few seconds it takes to post/watch on the others. This is a good thing.
Agreed. I haven't used any social media in 6 months after feeling like it was toxic and I feel so much better without it.
Agreed. It's where I come for movies, photography tutorials, music info, sharing my occasional vlogs or my music, not to mention, find out how to repair stuff. The $12/mo I pay for premium with no ads, is worth every penny.
I began my love for proper photography in 1975 at the fresh age of 13 after getting bored with cheap Kodak instamatic cameras and discovering in magazines, newspapers and galleries what can be done with Real cameras and a darkroom.
Thru high school and college I wanted to be a photojournalist and fine art photographer and into the 80's it was a small community of successful published photographers and those who were able to have gallery shows, I wanted to be at that level.
Enthusiast wise, I never lost that sense. Professionally I dabbled in order to "test the waters' so to speak.
Enter digital photography and analog to digital manipulation, things got interesting and a bit convenient. Suddenly more from all levels were becoming "photographers" in a cloaked sense.
I joined Flickr in 2005 when I purchased my first digital body and noticed the community there was inspiring and creative and open to everything. With the entrance of Instagram which I joined in 2009, it was a new way of expression but has since become a mess.
My theory is that with "photography" becoming so accessible to EVERYone now, places like IG and Flickr has become a cesspool of hacks all copying each other for that chance to be noticed. No longer are unique creators behind the camera anymore and with adds and viewership incentives, the Art of photography is pretty much dead compared to what I grew up seeing.
The combination of tech, ease of use and manipulation, smartphone style "picture snapping" and the desire to be internet famous without basic knowledge of the art and fundamentals of photography, has drastically lowered the bar to what is required to be successful... you have to be a savvy Marketer first and foremost now rather than a talented image creator. Photography skills is not important anymore.
At my age now it is a game I can not compete with which is why I have reverted to doing things "I Only" enjoy because in the long run, Nobody will give a damn about your work. Popularity is fleeting. I have come full circle with photography in 47+ years with this reality and I am fine with it... sadden in what has become of true artist and how glossed over they have been with the internet masses but fine with my own position today going forward.
Just as in 1975, photography today is again for myself and only myself. If someone likes it, Great! but I will just kindly thank them for noticing and carry on.
This year I began unloading excess digital camera gear I acquired in the last decade and have stopped posting on social media galleries for the reasons you stated, and it is a breath of fresh air to get back to basics and being introverted with the art of making images from my imagination with basic necessary gear. Where to preserve them is another question tho.
Thanks for your story..
Amazing story
I completely agree with your sentiments. IG is a shameful app with absolutely no driving force behind it other than pure greed. I gave up on it a year ago and don't miss it one tiny bit. The photographic community is desperate for a replacement that's designed by people who love photography, for people who love photography.
🎯🎯agree 100%!! IG is only FakeBook under a different name, or should i say ‘Meta’ 🙄🤦🏻♀️ both are total toxic garbage owned by a creepy little greedy 👽dude that stole the FB idea from others way back when
...and the new App wouldn't end up being the same sh.t as IG? I don't think so! Needing a App ist already the problem!
I believe that if an individual or organisation designed an app for the good of mankind instead of for greed and the never ending lust for higher profits; then social media could be vastly improved.
It can never be perfect of course, but a lot better than what we have now.
It will take a billionaire visionary with a heart and a desire to do good. These people do exist you know.
It’s nice to think positive.
If only I had the money……. 😊
A great discussion Adam! To bring the discussion back to the foundation of the art of photography, i love the “ART” process. Having a vision, going out and using knowledge of light, composition & subject choice to create an image i want others to see in print or digital media (preferably PRINT). My inspiration was primarily a photography Ken Duncan- Landscape photographer. Going to his gallery & spending time standing in front of a large 1.5m framed print was so inspiring. Like most art, the artist does it because they love the creative process. Social media has become toxic in society. I don’t know the solution, but I’m just a 68yo who loves the art of photography 👍🏻
Van Gogh sold only ONE painting while he was alive. Means, most of his master pieces were probably seen by no more than two dozen people before his death.
And yet, Today's photographers consider "2000 views" on an Instagram-picture a failure. Maybe it's time to reset expectations?
You have photographers who shoot on specific request for a very specific client, e.g. in wedding or product photography (usually exactly ONE client to satisfy)
But with all those other genres like cityscape, street photography or - yes - landscape photography, people go on a five hours hike, take a picture of some mountain peaks and a valley - and expect somehow millions of people to fall in awe. I mean, guys like YOU Adam switched from photographer to entertainer, which is pretty hard if you're not a beautiful young girl wearing only little cloth.
But many people who take photographs expect to be "discovered" and look for... prints buyers? staggering ads- revenues? being recognized on the street? being invited to join TV-shows? Or what?
I mean, at the end it's a (perhaps even beautiful) image of some mountains and a valley, similar to perhaps only five thousand images just as good... per day?
If you re not a Social Media entertainer and you're not working on client's order in first place - shoot for yourself, just as Van Gogh did; expect absolutely nothing, and maybe, one day you'll have that ONE magic image that makes you part of art's history, but more likely this never happens to none of us.
Stop shooting for anyone to see it. Create for yourself or rather go golfing.
Well said!
I'd rather go exploring and capture my journey than golfing. I know, I'm the odd ball. lol
Yeah but van Gogh killed himself!! Maybe if he'd gotten more likes he'd have kept at it :-)
I agree, I shoot only for myself. In fact if I was at a party and a close friend introduced me as a photographer I would change the subject quickly. I will never own a large house, so my goal is to capture no more than half a dozen images to print in the highest possible quality. So far after 16 years I have one definite shot and maybe 2or 3 possible shots.
Bravo!
Social media has been a net positive on photography. I’ve met so many photographers on Instagram and I’ve learned so much from UA-cam.
Ironic that without social media we wouldn’t be watching this very video. If this was pre social, this would be an infomercial that comes on at 3:42AM and only your insomnia-tic drunk uncle Jerry would see it…
As a person new to photography I have to say that creators have been an inspiration and a massive source of knowledge. I don't do insta though. Maybe that's what I am doing right.
Not doing Instagram is a good thing
I feel the same way, I try to make the best of our circumstances. I also don’t use IG besides to give my subjects a way to contact me (street portrait addict here lol)
Instagram for photography is pointless (more so now than ever) but Instagram will always follow the next popular app. currently that’s TikTok with reels.
Social media being a visual on the Internet you would think it would increase the demand for photography but in fact it’s increasing demand for bad photography since you can get away with 72 dpi.
Like almost everything else these days, the best content is on UA-cam. I can follow photographers on the journey of taking their photos. I love following photographers like Sean Tucker, Simon Baxter, James Popys, and more. Not only do I learn something about the craft, but I get to hear their perspective and enjoy their art.
Photography is one of my hobbies. The pictures I take, I take because I want to, and because I think there is something of interest to be seen in a scene. What other people think about my images doesn't matter as long as I am happy with them. I am always striving to improve, I don't need other people to tell me an image is not very good in their view, so that is why I never post on Instagram. My husband very often says to me "why are you taking a picture of that?", basically because he doesn't look at the world in the same way that I do.
Photography also captures much more detail than what your brain can retain. Looking back at photo brings back a flood of memories.
As a budding photographer, who is proud of his own development in the art, I take the same perspective as you do. Art; of whatever form; is interpreted by the viewer. That said, I hold strongly to my view that, "I take and present it how I see it".
I get that question often when I am taking photos and it amazes me that some people just don’t understand that photography is more than portraits of people, pets or landscapes.
Right on! I often get laughed at when I say photography is deep, hahaha!
It's much more than the social media trend we see today :)
Many people tell me to follow the social media trends so you can get some traction. But I don't want to. That's it, I don't want to take pictures so I can get recognition. I want to take pictures which satisfies me :)
Very well said sir. You've enunciated the many problems that with modern social media very cogently. I personally have given up on social media and stick to my website but will say it is hard to get out and have community and share/sell work as EVERYONE is on social media. But ultimately, it was a world I didn't wanna be in anymore. Best to you. 🙏
Thank you for your video, I totally agree with everything you’ve said. After 10 years of photography I am disillusioned with it all and am slowly shutting down my social media sites. IG and Twitter are definitely poison and have ruined the photography community. Photography has now become a slew of composites which I have no desire to get into. I haven’t picked up my camera in a over a year and I feel unmotivated. I am thinking of going back to Flickr but I don’t know if that’s the answer. Photographers definitely need a genuine platform.
I'm not even a real photographer doing this only for about a year now, but here is how i see it: I won't upload any more photos on platforms that don't support my formats or resolutions. It's really frustrating having a perfect composition that just won't fit a 'streamlined' format. That being said, of course some phone snapshots still go directly to instagram etc. - but the stuff i'm really proud of will be on flickr. I see what's your message here is and think you're right. I love watching the work of real photographers, i can do that for hours - whatever genre they are from. People will never stop enjoying art. If there is money to be made, that's different topic. I don't know.
Adam, totally agree. Instagram has lost it’s way. No place currently for the still photographer.
Well said Adam. I am an older photographer who has no interest in social media, many would say I'm a dinosaur, but I have a love for photography. I make images for me, not for comments from others. Love your work thanks Neil.
So, social media has not "ruined" your photography then, right?
Back in the 70s, 80s I would post my film away for processing. I would have to wait patiently some times up to three weeks as I'm in Ireland and they would be processed in the UK. Nowadays if I don't share digital images of a party or family event within one hour people have moved on and won't tolerate any longer to wait. The common person on the street is also satisfied by smartphone snaps
I totally agree! Yes, there is convenience in being able to see and share our photos quickly but sadly, it just became like fast food for many people😶. Mostly with those who never owned or used a real camera and always took pictures with their (Not so) smarth phones. I experience the same thing regarding the expectation of close ones; for me to send them my photos no later than the next day... This is a bit frustrating since I usually do some post processing to create the best possible photos before sharing them... But obviously, this is time consuming... Something only a few will understand, specially if they never saw the original Raw file and only see the end result, thinking it got out of the camera like this. Therefore can't understand why it took "so long" to share your photos... Adding to the delay, I never send my photos by email since they are rather large files and can't resolve myself to loose quality by sending smaller compressed versions. So it waits until I can share them in person using a usb key or portable disk... Quality takes time... So sad so many can't event tell what quality is...😟📸⏳💻⌛...
Ha! I stopped bringing my camera to family gatherings because of the annoying "When will we see the photos??" question every time...
@@l.s.11 I totally agree! Yes, there is convenience in being able to see and share our photos quickly but sadly, it just became like fast food for many people😶. Mostly with those who never owned or used a real camera and always took pictures with their (Not so) smarth phones. I experience the same thing regarding the expectation of close ones; for me to send them my photos no later than the next day... This is a bit frustrating since I usually do some post processing to create the best possible photos before sharing them... But obviously, this is time consuming... Something only a few will understand, specially if they never saw the original Raw file and only see the end result, thinking it got out of the camera like this. Therefore can't understand why it took "so long" to share your photos... Adding to the delay, I never send my photos by email since they are rather large files and can't resolve myself to loose quality by sending smaller compressed versions. So it waits until I can share them in person using a usb key or portable disk... Quality takes time... So sad so many can't event tell what quality is...😟📸⏳💻⌛...
This video could not have come at a better time. I wouldn't say that social media has ruined photography as such, but it is having a negative effect on those of us who want to see photography as a creative outlet. I know I have sometimes obsessed over the loss of followers and what the Instagram algorithm is doing, but I decided to stop worrying about such things. For one, I am doing my photography for me. For as long as I could remember, I have always loved art. From using a paint brush, mixing colours and painting on a canvas and creating something. It was never about pleasing other people and getting praise for it. I simply loved it. Photography gave me a different way to explore my creativity. I had to realise that I was never going to please everyone and the focus should really be on numero uno, namely me. If I like the picture I took, that is all that matters. If someone has a different opinion, I simply say thank you and move on.
I will not be closing my social media accounts. I have however started working on my own website to showcase all my pictures. The resolution size on the social media platform has been a massive irk for me and I am tired of being constrained by then. And truth be told, I am was my pictures to also tell a story. Social media cannot really offer that whereas a website gives more opportunities to do this.
Thanks for the great video!
I joined Flickr back in 2016. Probably well after its peak in popularity. As someone who just does photography as a hobby my experience has been very positive. I've never even considered Instagram as I've heard so many negative things about it. I really don't want to spend time on another social media outlet anyhow. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Always enjoy hearing what you have to say.
My biggest gripe with social media, especially that photographers now only really have Instagram as a photographic social media platform (I hate monopolies, but that's another discussion), is what happened when I recently returned to the platform after a long break away. I fancied getting back into Instagram, drew up a list of relevant tags, and made post after post with highly detailed descriptions - like blog posts. I put a lot of work into my return. However, I found out that my latest photos aren't showing up in the tags that I've added for them, so they're essentially not being pushed out to the relevant categories. That, combined with Instagram's greatly reduced organic growth, has really deflated me. Like, why bother post if the ONLY photographic platform is limiting my reach and chance to grow? We need more platforms to emerge. Greater competition drives changes.
Adam, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it's about people like us with a deep passion for the photography itself, a love of being creative and making something meaningful with our cameras. You're right, it's about making the moment count. In a photograph, we are preserving a moment in time that will literally NEVER happen again! Yes, maybe something very very similar MIGHT just happen again, but that exact moment in time can never be re-created. That's why I continue to take photographs, apart from the therapy it provides me with, literally using my camera, composing the shot etc etc. Even if it's in a location I've visited 1000 times before, and even if it's an image I've captured before, I sometimes just have to think to myself "Well, not today I haven't!"
So glad you covered this and risked the backlash. I re-engaged with my love of photography during Covid and had no outlet besides FB. My kids said IG but heard no longer photography friendly and to try Twitter. I started suddenly saw tons of NFT and .eth posts and laughed as it seemed that "artists" (I use that term loosely) were using the money they earned to buy other artist's work. So no new money was coming in, just moved the money around so a starving artist was still starving in this cycle. I don't need photography to make a living and my heart goes out to legitimate professionals and talented hobbyists, but I know NFT's will kill the it faster than social media will. Anyway, I found the culprits and unfollowed them and now my Twitter feed is mostly very talented photographers posting some great work. I look to get my work out and to get inspiration from others and hopefully the new Twitter mix I have delivers on that.
Interesting and thought provoking video Adam. I did see somewhere recently that the biggest emerging market for photographers is providing content for social media and it made me think about some of the content that appears on my screens. Small independent businesses like, pubs and restaurants for example, are desperately trying to make social media work for them and it is obvious that whilst some use poor quality diy images there are others who clearly utilise pro photographers. At the other end of the business scale I’ve noticed prestige car brands lending ridiculously expensive cars to young freelance street photographers for a few days to “create some content” which I presume is now more important than those massively staged and manufactured car brochures and glossy ads of the past.
I’m very much just a hobbyist photographer but to those trying to earn a living from it, good luck to one & all of you in an ever changing world.
I guess I'm lucky to be an enthusiast who doesn't depend on photography for money. Otherwise the fun might have been sucked out of me by now. Same for UA-cam. Likes and subs are nice but I just want to show my art, get better at it, maybe help others do so, and have fun.
The most popular videos on this channel have been gear reviews. I feel Adam's pain. An artist wants appreciation for the art, not for salesmanship. Too many would-be creatives get caught up in thinking that gear is the only thing that matters. Obviously gear is important, but only if you know what to do with it. But discussion about the creative process just doesn't interest many people, not even other photographers.
Well said John, fully agree. I just use UA-cam as an outlet that wasn’t available two decades ago, subs and views are great but not my end game, which is my enjoyment in the whole process , selfish as that may sound. 😀
"I guess I'm lucky to be an enthusiast who doesn't depend on photography for money." I spent a number of years as a full-time professional photographer back in the film days. It was hard enough back then and has become insane now. I used to tell my continuing education photo students that they had the luxury of only taking photos when they wanted and of what they wanted.
I'm much happier as an enthusiast. I have a job with a steady income that pays well enough to allow me to buy a piece of gear without calculating whether it would pay for itself. Still, I'm no gear head. I love taking photographs with my vintage film lenses on my 10 year old Fuji.
Social Media ruined the ability to make money as a photographer for most people, but that was never really the art of photography anyway. I shoot for exactly what you said; the love of getting out and exploring, creating art, and sharing it in the hopes it resonates with those who attend my showings and follow my social media. I'm happier now as a photography hobbyist than I ever was a pro. Like music the true art is out there online, but the commercial side has been killed by "social media" and corporate greed. Social media can keep its drama, clout chasing, gear worship, and general nonsense. I will continue to create for myself and my meager, unprofitable, and devoted following.
Hey Adam, I actually didn't watch your last video because of its "clickbait" title/thumbnail. Perhaps I am in the minority, but it's possible that some audiences like your own prefer an authenticity feel. In fact, I find simpler thumbnails often stand out better due to how many attention grabbing thumbnails there are now. Just a thought, great content as always!
Come on... you know Adam, you know you will get honest quality content from him. Don't let the thumbnail keep you from watching... (Well in the end, its your loss if you choose not to). The important is the content not the look. Just pass the 1st impression and have look anyways. If you don't like it, fine, move on to the next video, but at least you will be sure not to miss good content ☺ 📸
Exatcly, click baits are like attention seeking whores lol ;p
@@ME2K23 If this was true, wouldn't designing enticing thumbnails be obsolete anyway?
@@hamishweir5631 Its your life, do what feels good to you. If its ruled by a UA-cam thumbnail, well I am sad for you. Go on to another channel where the thumbnail fits and be an happy photographer. Life is too short, enjoy it! What's important is the content not its label or look... which also apply to food, and people by the way 😉 📸
@@ME2K23 You're reading too much into this and your uninvited advice is unwelcome.
I watch your channel to be inspired and depressed and learn something new all at the same time. Thumbs up!
Thanks for making this video. I've been a professional photographer fro more than twenty five years now. I've worked in all sorts of commercial realities, starting in wedding photography to catalog photography to still life advertising in New York City to where I am now in Europe working in the editorial world, travel and food and wine... and the one thing I can say is, If you do it for the money you will always be frustrated by the latest industry trend. All of these things are just that, a trend. Stay true to the reason you became a photographer in the first place and you'll be fine, clients will come to you for your vision not your algorithms. Keep the faith and keep up the good work!
As a hobbyist, I just been using Flickr and I am using the free option for now. They are not showing me that the Pro option will benefit me in anyway! I only post to Facebook for my close family and friends. As for the others they don't interest me.
With all that said. I still going out on my day off work to take pictures with 35mm digital camera. I mostly take landscape and a few macro shot. I enjoy being out of the house and into my local parks. The pictures are for myself. Not going after the numbers of like or the thumbs up. I am trying to better myself as I review my pictures and edit them in Lightroom and Photoshop. Also, learning the picture editing process. Not new to photography had film cameras back in the 70's and many photo albums in totes. The albums are the same as the pictures on my 6 terabyte drive. I don't fine my self going back to look at them. I am going to stick around because I like taking and making photo.
I enjoy your videos. Keep thing outside the box.
I agree with you about Flickr. I enjojed those days when I was in the Pentax 67 users group posting landscape pictures from black and white darkroom enlargement.
Now I do street photography with an 8.1 megapixel Ricoh gr digital camera as its free and I am 76 now and living on a state pension.
I use the camera on black and white settings and love the filmic images it produces.
I post rectangular pictures on Instagram using a Hama card reader to connect to my Huawei P10 plus phone where I can edit and upload. I love the feedback from friends and other photographers both locally and around the world.
This is very likely one of the best UA-cam's I've watched concerning the present age and the future of photography. While I was among those that got momentarily swept up in the NFT movement (I think it might have been a tweet that you shared? I can't remember...) it was extremely fleeting...as in, maybe a month, if that long. Once I accepted the fact that I'm a hobbyist photographer and not a professional, and I realized that I love photography even if no one EVER buys a print or "Likes" my images, it was easy to walk away from sites like Twitter and Instagram. I still have a Facebook account where I share my images with my immediate family and friends - and of course I'm human, so yes, it means something when I get "Likes" - but I'm no longer driven to post stuff just in the hopes of getting some imaginary appreciation by someone whom I'll likely never cross paths with. I have never met you, yet I feel I know you…because you're not afraid to bare your heart with the rest of us in your videos. I appreciate your sharing, and I appreciate your optimism for the future. For guys like yourself, I sincerely hope that your viewpoint is accurate: you have mastered the art of capturing God's handiwork, and you deserve to be rewarded for the art that you create. Please keep these great videos coming, good sir.
Liking the positive outlook Adam, hope all is good in your world! Cheers.
once again a true and powerful video, strong statements and thoughts! keep up the amazing work and photos and UA-cam videos!
"I really dislike these stories or short videos and it feels like a system that's literally designed to dumb us down."
That's social media in a nutshell. Metrics, algorithms, and search engine optimizations (SEO) are big players in influencing how we create content. It encourages us to longer feel authentic to our style in our work and personality. This applies to photography, videos, and writing. It's up to us on how we use the tools that are provided to us and resist if that tool encourages us to become less authentic.
I have a simple recipe for happiness. I have left most social media behind. I keep UA-cam and FB (only because of marketplace and messenger which are actually useful). If I share a photo, it's in an old school forum with an active and dedicated community. I have noticed a small resurgence of some photography. My wife and I will be starting a small part time business concentrating on families and infants. Some people still see the value of experience and quality or are discovering it again.
We should be taking photos for ourselves surely and not needing affirmation from social media platforms? If we are amateur hobbyists who wish to share our photos, then it would be better to cultivate contacts with other likeminded people in some way, or even non photographers who appreciate what we do and share with them rather than putting our shots into the shark pool of social media.
We must print our photos and spread them around to family and friends. Framed photographs make excellent presents for instance. IKEA (other stores are available) have a fantastic range of frames at very reasonable prices to frame our productions. I display quite a few of my own photos in the house and change them around so as not to get bored with them, also neighbours have blagged some too and even had them professionally framed. So satisfaction in our hobby does not have to come from posting on sites.
Absolutely agree Peter, you virtually took the words out of my mouth. I also find that having my own regularly changing mini exhibition at home gives me plenty of inspiration to get out and shoot ready for my next “show”.
Cell phones and social media, in my opinion, are the source of many of todays societal ills. 4th graders now have ipads instead of actual school books getting them accustomed to the digital world way too early. What I started doing because of you is printing my photos. What a difference that has made. Thank you and continue making good content.
Spot on. Sometimes i felt bashed around aiming and wondering why I don't get more likes? I has become a game of influencers who ruined quality with a sh*tload of mediocre. However I post sometime, I gave up this community and focus on myself. I'll do whatever I like, it is my passion and not for somebody else to break apart.
I definitely think authenticity is the key.
even instagram isn't about photography any longer. it's all about the mini videos.. I've kept my pro flickr account, and continue to use it as a back up/filter for what i consider the best of my images
I've just subscribed to your channel purely based on your attitude. So refreshing 👍
I remember starting out at 19 and i worked in a place that supplied professional photographers. It was 2004 and one photographer told me he was quiting because everyone has a camera on their phone and was making his work obsolete. In 2004 😂😂😂. Remember how terrible camera phones were back then. I think what he was really getting annoyed by was the instant gratification of people seeing photos on their phones while he was setting up shots. And both he and guests saw no difference in his images when he finally presented the finished product. It said alot more about his photography skills and alot less about camera phones. Still cracks me up.
Well said Adam. I feel for those of you who make a living with photography. For me photography, and specifically landscape photography, is my escape. I do it for me. My income is covered elsewhere.
Hi Adam, I love your videos, the messages you put across and also your emphasis on actual photography, as opposed to equipment etc. Keep it up, it's very much appreciated!
Thanks Martin. much appreciated
Same can be said for aspiring UA-cam stars. Many have turned into sales people pushing every product under the Sun. It takes a lifetime of dedication to being an Artist in any field. Most want it now. I think many photographers should spend more time viewing others Artist's Work and quit with critics game.
So spot on with this video. Social media has ruined the art of photography. All you said about logarithms affects pretty much everything on the internet, UA-cam and search engines included. I don’t know where it will end up, but I would love to see something change. Maybe a rebellion of sorts, against the social media companies for instance, could affect some change, but it would be a hard road. There have been social community sites that where people can share their passion with other like minded people but without those logarithms, adds and annoying short videos about nothing. It’s refreshing to have that type of safe place without all the hate. One thing, you mentioned that the hobbyists could drop out all together. I disagree, I think the creator hobbyists may be the saving grace for photography as a viable art form because they have nothing to lose by being creative. They are not worried about the monetary part of the art form and could start a renaissance of sorts that boost our beloved art form out of the ashes. Wouldn’t that be great. Thank you for refreshing content and giving us something to think about instead of that mindless drivel called “social media”
Great video, you've nailed it Adam. I wasn't on social media for 2 months, and didn't miss it. I'm only on it to create business awareness, although it is easy to get dragged into threads that don't really matter. There is certainly too much emphasis on gear, and not enough on the art of photography and creativity.
Thanks Simon. hope you’re well. I like the idea of two months of social media. I used a scheduler for a while so I could plan all my posts then just ignore it. I stopped eventually because it didn’t quite feel authentic.
Adam!
You are an absolute inspiration and such an educated individual. Your passion and knowledge of photography is unbelievable.
Simply brilliant!
Thanks mate, although I’m also university drop out. I’m just curious about stuff.
@@Firstmanphotography Well for people like me that didn’t even make College or University, I find your channel a joy to watch and learn from. :-)
Screw social media! I create photos for my own enjoyment. I do share it on social media for family and friends that also might appreciate it. After 12 years away from Flickr, I joined back up a few months ago. It is a shell of its former self but I use it for storage space.
The driving force behind social media is conflict. This is what their algorithms promote, because this is what causes "engagement" more than anything else. Once you realize this, and see the effect it has on the people around you, it becomes necessary to walk away.
I ditched my Facebook and Instagram accounts more than 3 years ago. I had 8,000+ Facebook followers when I did so, and very few of them bothered to follow me when I left those platforms. Despite this, I am happier than I have been in a decade.
This is a great video. You're spot on! Really the only reason I keep fb is to pop in occasionally to keep in touch with old friends. Insta is absolutely horrible. Unless someone is into " twirk" videos..and bots.
Hi Adam, I have enjoyed your videos for years and thanks for all your content that adds value to my creative journey. Take care and keep on doing what you do!
That’s amazing to hear. thanks Janet.
Totally agree! Subbed for that. Let’s keep it alive.
I completely agree that algorithms are bad for creativity... But people are still here looking for content like yours, which is just authentic and inspirational knowing that sticking it out, we will see the sunrise again :)
You probably won't remember or care, but right back at the beginning of your channel I said that you were as good at your inspirational content as you were your landscape photography. Even your book is a mix of both. This is why me and millions ..........well thousands tune in weekly. I to started printing my images after watching your video. I think us men have to take responsibility for a lot of the ills in photography, you only have to look at the tech channels which have millions of male followers dribbling over the next best bit of gear. I have met women who took great images and did n't really know what camera they were using or of course care. I have started to travel again, and find that this is my inspiration to take photos. It encourages me to get out and about, go the extra mile to find something different. I have taken photos ( mostly badly) for as long as I can remember and will continue to do so. Thanks for another great inspiration video.
absolutely stunning view , thank you
I really got a kick out of a UA-cam photographer who was talking about how you did not have to travel to fancy spots around the world to find inspiration. He set up a self-challenge where he would ride his bike around the local countryside and come up with some good photography. My God man, you would have thought he never saw a phone pole before. The main take away from his video was that he got bored and did not finish his planned route.
I love this. Great video and everything you've said was spot on. 🥂
Another thoughtful, hopeful video, Adam. I’ve been shooting for 40 years; I won’t be stopping anytime soon. 👍
right with you there
I have had photography as my number one hobby since I was 16 (57 now) and been working as a photographer/journalist for about 30 years. I scroll through Instagram, Facebook and UA-cam a lot everyday and I don’t think it has gone one single day without me learning something new or getting inspired for new views on my photography. Sure - it would be nice if Instagram was more oriented towards still photography but also dancers, athletes or even videos of cats can inspire me to be more creative. I watch what I like and skip the rest - it’s simple as that.
i feel you! social media is dead - long live photography!
I can relate your examples here to may things - film industry, music, film music amongst other things
Always makes me smile to see UA-camrs kvetching about social media - biting the hand that feeds or what?
Instagram has made me almost nothing. Twitter even less. UA-cam is a small portion of my income. We're all operating in this system, I'm saying id like it to be different.
So where does one go to view photography if not on social media? I agree with so much said here.
I post regularly on Insta and have moved away from Facebook, although not entirely. The endless accounts on Insta of nothing but selfies is depressing, but telling. Compression on Insta has increased too. I do however have regular interactions with people who follow what I post, and I make a point of following them. So it isn't all the end for me, although I'll probably look at other platforms in the not too distant, but probably won't leave Insta altogether.
Social media users learning the basics & tech brought up the level of photography to “good enough” for most people and that means photographers who used to get recognition for what were mediocre photographs don’t get as much attention anymore and that makes them angry.
Social media users slapping filters and making pictures look cool and nothing they were like in real life is not the same as a picture taken by a mediocre photographer
I think it's a wonderful thing that "real photographers" love to complain about. Photography has historically been for the elite, now smart phones and social media is available to the masses. I think that's great. That said, I started using social media only in the past couple years, and don't spend a lot of time on it.
Well said. Last half of the video was the best. 🙏
I've been back into photography for the past 10 years as a hobbyist. I have a website, Instagram, Flickr and Twitter. I completely agree with everything Adam says but where does someone like me go to get noticed, what should someone like myself do get more noticed. It seems there are so few avenues outside of friends and family interested in my photography.
Marketing, go market yourself in any way possible.
@@thehumanityoflife6460 And how do you go about that?? The vast majority of photography is not recognized by anyone.
Good photos can be made from any camera. You just need to play off of the characteristics of your own camera. I've been shooting with an instax mini 40 lately, and I've been getting interesting results.
cell phones as well. as you mention but nothing replaces solid composition and good subject / story
Fantastic video. I agree your way of thinking. Greetings from Italy.
Extremely well said!
Thanks mate
Yes, you're 100% RIGHT. Moreover, social media surely has a way of ruining EVERYTHING..
Just loved this one. I’ve Seen it twice… I’m going to give it all my passion to survive even though i’ve just started 3 years ago. I found my life “drug” and its photography and I Will never could live without it…
When Adobe added the sky generator/replacement tool in Photoshop, my photography soul dropped to the floor. For me it was the final straw, the end of feeling my images could be special in a world saturated with artificial images. The end of the challenge to create great images. I haven’t given up, but I remain in search of photography that has meaning for me.
I agree whole heartedly with all you've shared and thank you for putting it out there in such an eloquent manner.
I’ve been getting into street photography, but like you I find Instagram etc is not what it used to be.
UA-cam is a great forum for sharing photos 👍
A very thought provoking video Adam. I personally have no media footprint whatsoever, apart from a few flickr pictures, use a mix of film and digital cameras and never carry a mobile phone. My partner thinks im a luddite but I am very happy just trying to please myself and nobody else.
Interesting and thought provoking video, thank you. As an amateur landscape photography the thing a don't like about social media is that it is forcing people to shoot either square or portrait. Instagram is trialling 16.9 portrait now! I was watching a vlog from Peter Mckinnon recently talking about Instagram and admitting (and he appeared surprised) that he rarely shot in landscape orientation as he was always thinking about how it would look on social media.
Peter McKinnon makes a shed load of money from Instagram. I don't and I'm guessing you don't either. So we don't have to get our knuckles tattooed, we don't have to do magic tricks, and we don't have to post images in the same format as Peter McKinnon. Simples.
things i don't like on instagram:
1. too many ads
2. too many follow suggestions
3. scammers tagging you on random posts
4. promote your photo spams
5. follow chasers
Very intelligent and acccurate view on the demise of the quality and value of photography. UA-cam is becoming such a cliche these days with "sensationalist" titles and poorly put together content.... I watch videos based on my experience with the author, I have certainly stopped viewing based on title.The problem is exactly as you describe with the executives of the social media companies being driven by advertising revenue, at the expense of quality content. Equally I think that the current drive by camera companies to push people into buying unecessary technology is actually feuling the trend back to traditional film. I have noted a lot of respected photographers moving away from the digital world in favour of analogue, not of course saying that there isn't as place for digital, but I think people are waking up t the Hype bubble created around so much new technology.
You are absolutely right
A great discussion! Love your work and your thoughts about the industry
Thanks mate
not just photography but art in general, fast food content is everywhere now, thinks will change hopefully for the better
Fast food content. I like that description
You are absolutely correct. Content no longer matters, tim spent and income to company is all that matters. i am not nearly so optimistic about the future. All that matters now is the personal satisfaction that one gets from one's photos getting them.
Couple things.
1. Social media didn't ruin photography. It gave people an opportunity to grow larger than any photographer ever could have before. Careers were made off social. Not just photography, but for everyone. Now the "problem" is the floor on talent has been raised, so you can't just be the town photographer, you have to actually know what you're doing and have talent to be successful. And success still wins overall.
2. Social sites were never for photographers. They were for consumers. Photographers just had the skillset to be successful because it was about beautiful pictures at the time. Now it's about video and storytelling. The "meta" has changed.
3. I agree on Tik Tok being geared towards high-energy people, but that's the meta. I've found portrait videos of models that are just high-quality montages perform relatively well. It's all about figuring out what works, you don't need to be the meth'd out influencer, but just adding energy to your work. It's not the end of the world.
Social has made careers for the people that can adapt. If you can't adapt, that's fine, just know you're limiting yourself. Are you a business or are you in it for a hobby. If you're a hobbyists, why do you care about likes, go print your photos and start a club. If you're a career, adapt. Simple as that.
The problem is the proliferation of images everywhere means that photographers are getting their inspiration from other photographers and that just starts a circle of banality with everything looking the same…. Inspiration should be coming from elsewhere in life and then we’ll see originality
On a photography cruise on Sydney harbour for vivid festival.. people made fun of me because I chose black and white square with a 28mm lens… getting the photographers in my foreground with the buildings and lights in the city in the plane of focus. “Who comes to a coloured light show and shoot’s black and white” they said.
I used to spend 15 minutes browsing flickr every morning before going to school, miss that
Great video. I agree with you in Instagram. Don’t use it anymore. I use UA-cam to share my photography 👍
Great video Adam, I'm a hobby photographer who likes to take all kinds of photos, especially to remote parts of Australia, but I haven't really found my niche yet. I have a public account on Instagram and it is really the only way I can share my photos at this stage, so thats where I put my effort. I actually enjoy Insta as other photographers inspire me and I love looking at their work. But its really getting out and taking photos and then editing that I enjoy the most in fact I would say that I have become addicted to this. I also print some of my favourite photos and have the best on the wall. Thanks for your videos, if I lack inspiration I watch some of your videos and I am back !
Just watched Tony & Chelsea Northrop's vlog on the same subject made back in May. I think Tony was being deliberately provocative, but I have seem 'old pros' whinging about the changes in, as apposed to the end of, photography. Things change, ebb and flow. As my old mum used to say, there is no point stressing about things you can do nowt about. Be positive, enjoy doing your thing and life will go on. Thanks for sharing Adam.
I’m not a professional or really a hobbyist but I do enjoy the art of photography and the experience of taking my cameras on a journey. My opinion is that AI is coming fast, really, really fast and many facets of our lives will be taken by surprise. As for photography, I see a new generation that will enjoy using AI to create any and every image imaginable and never use a camera. They will be hired at an hourly wage, which will flood the marketing, entertainment, art, and other genres. I think journalism, sports, events, some forms of marketing will remain somewhat pure, with the inevitable use of AI to manipulate images and events to influence popular opinion. Most people don’t even know what professional photography should look like and are satisfied with less than what they could have or chase after overly manipulated dramatic photos that use AI. The Arts as a whole is being influenced to an uncomfortable degree by AI, including music and sculpture, as well as writing and painting.
I wouldn't say any of my photos are particularly special in any way, but I personally like the ones I post. And it's a bummer to know at the most, people will look at it for a second, maybe like it, and then scroll past it, never to see it again. That's how social media is made to work, which sucks.
So many good points!
love your insites into photography you make me think how things have gone, but all is not lost where i live in spain we have plenty of places to show our art we create but no light room or any ajustments just your raw pictures well i shoot in jpeg its all friendly and no trolls, its like been back in the 80's, so my passion is still growing. keep up the good work enjoying your videos thank you
my problem with social media, there are so many photographs to review that most people do not take the time to really examine them. Ans so many photogrphers now strive to the "wow" photographs. Many people miss the fantastic photos if the intimate small landscape. Minor White's photographs would now get few likes.
Agreed. Thats why i'm always banging on about printing.
Thany you for the reply. A few years ago i brought my ipad into a Starbucks. I asked a few of the patrons to look at some photographs for an art show. On the average, each person at the most looked for about 5 seconds at the most The following week I brought in the same photographs each printed to 18x12. Most people looked for over a minute and remarked on small details in the prints. The best thing, i made two sales from doing that.
If I remember, you had a degree in biology, same here. Cheers
Such a informative and uplifting video Adam 👌👏👏👏
Thanks mate. really appreciate your feedback.
I need to say that you are a true professional photographer. I look forward to every new video you produce. And I am a better photographer thanks to what I have learned from you.
Thank You Adam for all you do.
Bob Gancio
Testify, dude. You nailed it. Especially NFTs...what a scam.