time to play devils advocate... I have seen many topics either directly asking / begging for followers, or doing so in passive aggressive ways. um... why? am i a minority on this site that jut shoots for the simple pleasure of camera in hand? if I get a follower, I follow them, weather they have 5 or 500 followers or photos. I am terrible at replying to comments. If ask a question i *try* to reply, and if i don't, i apologize, i get distracted easily. i started here on a whim over a year ago, since have found ways of challenging myself, and can say that after some down times in life this site and a some followers - especially @nikkers@definitelydeb@buffy, @netkonnexion@mark79@poophappens just to name a few. they have helped keep me motivated, but to me it is quality, not quantity. I can easily say that every one i am following is AWESOME, and it is great watching them grow shot by shot, instead of worrying about number of views or number of followers. maybe i am an odd duck like that. if so... quack :)
My camera and I were best friends before I started posting photos here. And before digital it was film.
But I'd like to get better and this motivates me to try new things; learn to use Photoshop (because who isn't just dieing to see me levitate? anyone? anyone??) and in general having an audience who can encourage and teach is just the best of both worlds.
It can be difficult to keep up with the stream of posted photos, but I'm really enjoying the site.
I couldn't agree with you more chris. Only thing i will add is i am humbled and honoured by each and every follower i have because they have looked at my work and chosen to follow me because of it, not because i have demanded (no matter how nicely) them via a post.
I too find it strange when people say "I need followers! Follow me!" If you want followers, follow other people! Comment on their work! Your 365 won't grow without a bit of work and community involvement. :)
I also have no idea why people whine when they lose followers or complain when they don't get followers even though they don't interact with other people on this site.....I have learnt so much since joining this site & get excited every time I get a new follower but it isn't the be all & end all of everything! I take my photos for me, to see if I can do something interesting every day & if people like it then that's a huge plus :)
The main reason I started this project was to see if I can take a photo every day for an entire year & so far I've been successful so that's my reason :)
Chris, fair call and a good point you make. However, every new discussion thread and many of the responses are advertisements for the individual, even this thread has drawn people to your project and your plight.
The commercialism of someone's project is all part of the interaction that comes with this site being part photography and part social media.
I would just like to end by saying "Life is a balancing act, some of us are frogs, and some of us are tomatoes..."
@bobfoto hahaha touche! but wait! your post has drawn attention to your project. it's an infinite regression of self fulfilling irony. i'm trapped in my own mind ahhhh......
I don't even know that I would like to have more followers... it is a great compliment when I get one, but I follow those who follow me and I can barely keep up with the number I have as it is. I do not understand how someone who is following/being followed by 80 or more people could possibly be paying attention to everyone.
I try not to pay attention it the numbers. I'm by no means a great photographer, and don't expect to be. I came to 365 to challenge myself, not to gain fans.
i completely agree with chris and sarah - i do this for the simple pleasure of taking photos - i follow people whose photos i like and it give me a window into there world which i find fascinating, I'm not really into a numbers game
"I came to 365 to challenge myself, not to gain fans" well said sarah
@cchambers I agree with you Chris. I do follow most who follow me and I chat with some of my favorite people. I find myself losing interest, due to some of the discussions and the comments I have seen. Discussions=drama most of the time. I glance at it occasionally for useful info on lenses, software etc.I came here to challenge myself.
This site is like the myspace of photography, LOL.
I follow people I like. I unfollow them when I either realize I do not like their photography, or their personalities suck. If people follow me, great. I comment if I'm driven to, not because it's "expected" for every photo. I do not reply to every comment I receive because frankly I do not live on this website. Like always, this is for documenting my day to day life, not to show the world I'm some uber popular e-photographer.
For serious. If someone comments on my photos, I'll almost assuredly check out their photos, and if I like them I'll follow them- or if I think they are a cool, nice, genuine person. I'm very interested in the 'community' aspect of this site. I find the structure of it to be much better for me than Flickr, which I can't seem to navigate after several years of trying.
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But I'd like to get better and this motivates me to try new things; learn to use Photoshop (because who isn't just dieing to see me levitate? anyone? anyone??) and in general having an audience who can encourage and teach is just the best of both worlds.
It can be difficult to keep up with the stream of posted photos, but I'm really enjoying the site.
The main reason I started this project was to see if I can take a photo every day for an entire year & so far I've been successful so that's my reason :)
The commercialism of someone's project is all part of the interaction that comes with this site being part photography and part social media.
I would just like to end by saying "Life is a balancing act, some of us are frogs, and some of us are tomatoes..."
@scatochef @pocketmouse hear, hear!
@bobfoto @swilde LOL!
"I came to 365 to challenge myself, not to gain fans" well said sarah
I follow people I like. I unfollow them when I either realize I do not like their photography, or their personalities suck. If people follow me, great. I comment if I'm driven to, not because it's "expected" for every photo. I do not reply to every comment I receive because frankly I do not live on this website. Like always, this is for documenting my day to day life, not to show the world I'm some uber popular e-photographer.