Sometimes I get on Flickr and study other people’s work for hours – looking for inspiration and technique. A lot of the time it’s just snooping though. But man some of the work out there is incredible, but most importantly there is so much of it. How do people stand out? It sems like every corner of the world has it’s own group of people that are kicking ass and creating the most amazing and beautiful work – and these are just the photographers using Flickr? I know many that do NOT use it!
Currently, I do use it. I almost need it – it keeps me active and constantly trying to come up with new material. My wife has been incredibly supportive – and photogenic. She is very willing to try new styles and looks with me; I think we do a pretty good job with the room and lighting that we have available to us. On Saturday night we had a session of some amazing black and white lingerie portraits. They were sexy as hell and a lot of fun to create, the end result created many photos which I had to sensor! By sensor I mean I did not make them public for all of Flickr to see, only certain people. After all, she’s not just a model, she’s my wife and our families follow my work. This can be frustrating and encouraging at the same time. It’s nice to have the family support but at the same time if I want to experiment with something a little racy I cannot get feedback from the world, but a small section.
Moving on, I posted a handfull yesterday, public and private. And exactly what I suspected would happen has. Nothing has happened. No feedback. People are looking but no one dares to say anything about the images. Many have met my wife and know her and maybe they are intimidated? Maybe uncomfortable? I just don’t get it. I see garbage upon garbage out there with people getting dozens and sometimes hundreds of comments placed on their photos. The most I have on any of my photos is 11 and I think two of them are mine. Are you telling me my work is not that good? not <i>amazing</i> enough to elicit a comment from the masses? Seriously – that gets so frustrating. And as a photographer looking to find his wings that can really out a damper on the mood. I was so excited to post those photos and I get nothing at all. I know it doesn’t happen over night – but it’s not happening at all. This is not a case of me being blind to see that my shit sucks, because that’s not the case. My shit is good – it draws people in. A chick I follow just posted a muddy BW of an unmade bed and pillow that’s too dark, has a poor composition, lacks any depth, and people are commenting like crazy on it telling her how amazing she it and how it moved them. I call bullshit. I call those people ignorant and I’m tired of the word <i>amazing</i>. No it is not amazing, it pretty fucking plain. The only reason you were drawn into it was to look and see if it really was just a pillow. The chick is good, but this one is not.
I’m not going to comment on photos just to comment on photos. I’m not going to stroke the ego of people who do not need to be stroked. It takes a lot for me to want to comment and I think maybe that is why I don’t get the comments . I don’t know, I don’t get it. My shit is good, technically sound, and sometimes I feel limited because my family is watching.
I’m trying to push myself, and that means not happy little family portraits. I wasted too many years of doing that. It’s time to develop a style that is ME. And if ME is a little too much, then too bad. Currently I am in love with a rich BW, with harsh lighting, very black blacks and white whites. Currently that end result, is what I am.
this specific rant may become a series of it’s own, as it is often a subject of frustration in me.
Pypeline.