The mantra echoing through photography circles isn't new, but it's never been more relevant: "Don't produce to impress others — focus on expressing yourself." This simple yet powerful idea challenges the very core of how many approach photography in the social media age.
Gone are the days when mastering light and composition was enough. Now, it seems, one must also be a social media virtuoso, a content creating machine spitting out images at a dizzying pace. But at what cost to creativity and personal vision?
The pressure to constantly share and impress has led many of us to lose sight of why they picked up a camera in the first place. Copying what's popular, chasing trends, doing the exact same as everyone else and becoming more concerned with follower counts than one's own creativity — these are the pitfalls of this social media era. I probably have mentioned this before in my blog.
Yet, there's a growing weariness with this culture of constant sharing. More photographers are questioning the value of being loud for the sake of being heard. In an age where everyone has a camera in their pocket, true photographic vision is becoming more precious. Would you agree?
I think you could compare this to the difference between fast food and slow food. Slow food is about taking time to make good meals and enjoy them properly. I'm trying to do the same with my photos — let's call it slow photography.
However, fast food is still really popular, even though many people talk about eating better. In the same way, lots of people still love quick, easy photos on social media. While people may be aware that not having their own vision when photographing sucks, they still don't change a thing.
But for me, I've found I'm happier when I publish in my own pace. It has always been difficult to work on longer projects without speaking about them or showing anything, like for example my three photo books. In my believe, there's something special about sitting down with a real book of photos that you just can't get from quickly scrolling through pictures on a phone. I think this slower way of doing things helps show what photography is really all about. Looking at frozen moments, reflecting on them and appreciating them.
The real challenge, it seems, is to resist the siren call of instant gratification and instead focus on the slow, often solitary work of developing one's craft. It's about expressing something genuine, not just making noise.
Perhaps that's the real test for today's photographers: not how loud they can be, but how clearly they can express their unique vision in a world full of distractions. It's about rediscovering the soul of photography - the art of seeing, the joy of creating, the power of personal expression.
And if you're already annoyed by the stupid algorithm (of whatever which social media app), it's easier to be aware of it:
It's better to whisper something meaningful than to shout nonsense.