How Are You Viewed? Do You Care?
Feb 8, 2010 Photography Discussion
Let me clarify…how do you get your photos viewed? Do you care about it?
I take photographs because I like capturing an image or moments. I’ve never been concerned about art for commercial sake but I do like people viewing my work. I’ve never had an exhibit (though I do have one planned) and I’ve never been in any photography shows but I have had my photos seen by the public. How? Through the use of Social Media.
I am a bit of a Social Media nerd…there I said it. Through various Social Media efforts I have had people whom I admire and respect view, critique, hate and/or compliment my work. I post photos to Flickr, tweet about them and I have my Flickr stream automatically update my personal Facebook page. To me as someone who is making a name for myself these are very powerful tools.
I guess I could have taken a more conventional route – I could have called a curator for photo exhibits and submitted my work. But why? The power of social media allows me to interact with people who in many cases I don’t even know their real name – but value their feedback. Social Media has allowed me to “push” out my photographs to people in my virtual network and have them tell their circles about my work. Real people and many times to people I haven’t even met. The power of Social Media is amazing when put to proper use...
My Question To You…
Is Social Media an important tool for you to get your work seen? Do you care if no one ever sees your work? Is this a topic worth exploring here – Social Media and The Photographer?
To view my complete photography portfolio please visit www.grtaylor2photo.com
Tags: az photographer, az photography, canon, get work seen, Greg Taylor, Gregory Taylor, GRTaylor2, Photography, professional photographer, professional photography, social media, social media for photography, tempe, tempe photographer
February 8th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I believe almost every photographer cares about his/her photographs getting views.
I use various forms of social networking sites like Twitter, facebook, and flickr to get eyeballs on my work and it pays off.
I get critiques and I get to meet other great photographers around the Interwebs. Those connections are well worth the effort it takes to learn about social networking for photographers.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I guess I can say the canned response about using critiques and community to improve my art, but the truth is, without the people who view my art, I would have no drive or push to actually get those images up. I mean truthfully, and I hope others agree, I feel like I am constantly looking for acceptance and a small “job well done”. It’s kind of what gets me through the day (especially on the 365 project) Just a little reality check for, HEY WOW, THAT’S AMAZING! I believe everyone is looking for that approval in one way or another. Some of the most talented photogs hate their best work, because we are so critical on ourselves. It is human nature. So in a sense it’s selfish, but yes I need that approval and encouragement of others in comments and views and favorites to continue on.
On another note, I also understand that it needs to be reciprocated and find much inspiration in the viewing of my fellow peers.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
I do love the “Hey Now That’s Amazing” factor and I do agree I am my own worst critic.
February 24th, 2010 at 2:29 am
I thought photography WAS social media…
No, really – as a tech head and a photog, I use all of the tools I can get my hands on. I’m not creating art, I’m just trying to allow someone else to see things the way I do.
February 24th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Photography is a very Social Media! It’s a media that stimulates conversation, what’s more social than that.