I made the "Hiatus" post a draft one in the end, which keeps the comments but saves it in my drafts, rather than publicly posted. Maybe I'll respond to the comments later - though three words spring to mind on one point *coughpotkettleblackcough*.
Anyway, I was all set to keep the hiatus going, because things hadn't changed in my mind, when I read an article at work today on the Reuters photgraphers' Blog - you can read it here. And the funny thing is something the writer mentions towards the end, almost as if she knew I'd be reading it:
"Some days you, as photographers, don’t feel appreciated enough. Well, remember you are documenting history every day through every frame."
Yes, posting things with no response is frustrating. As for having to explicitly state you want feedback - that's just plain old crazy talk. You think sports fans or concert goers have to be told to cheer and celebrate? Or HOW they should celebrate? Everyone posts photos to get feedback. And everyone wants the same things from that feedback - do you like/love it? Was there something specific you liked? Was there something you felt could be improved? Have you been to the place or wanted to go?
So I'm going to take Ayperi's words to heart, and continue to document the world around me. I'm just going to stop commenting on the Blogs of those who can't be bothered to comment on mine. I hate one way traffic. And I think that it's fair to ditch those who can't make any effort towards you.
On that determined note, here's a no-nonsense photo celebrating the first day it was sunny enough to break out the Oakleys...
11 comments:
Welcome back!!
:sticks worry beads back on shelf:
I couldn't agree more that we wouldn't bother posting our work if we didn't want feedback.
As for your no-nonsense photo, first I wondered if it was B&W as a reference to the earlier *cough...cough*, then I wondered why I had a kind of funny feeling when I looked at it.
Then I discovered the trick in it! The paired camera lenses on the upper inner corners of the glasses are like pupils and draw my eyes toward center in response. Your photo makes me cross-eyed!!
Perhaps a subtle or even sub-conscious form of revenge? ;-)
Intentional or not, good on ya.
OK, now that I have read the Reuters article mentioned, I want to share a quote from it too.
:ascends soapbox:
"Photography cannot explain the world, but it can do something extraordinary to inform you whilst appealing to your emotions."
A photograph that does not arouse some emotion, however slight, however undefined, is hardly worth looking at. Maybe as assembly manual illustration, maybe.
I think that is why we all from time to time find ourselves uninspired. Our own emotions being drained, we have nothing, or think we have nothing, to put into our photographs. Instinctively we understand that if we are not moved by the image no one else will be either.
Yet sometimes the desperate effort of finding something to shoot refills our emotional bank. Desperation is after all an emotion! The pressure to get a Sunday Six or 12 of 12, etc. can reawaken our passion despite our blahs.
What we photograph, how we photograph it and why we choose to photograph it teaches us something about ourselves. For instance, I find I am looking too often for that one great shot and not taking risks and "playing" as much as I ought. I realize this is partly a holdover from film days when the bad shots cost just as much as the good ones, but is also a reflection of my aversion to risk taking and a manifestation of my fear of failure. Could I learn this about myself apart from photography? Of course, but would the insight come as naturally, as gently? I think not.
Despite the above admission, photographers are risk takers if they show even one photo to one other person. On these blogs of ours we risk rejection by complete strangers and friends alike and some of the most cutting rejection we have to deal with is feeling ignored. I think we would rather a stranger cut our work to bits than feel our friends/acquaintances are ignoring us. And, no, it really, really does not help for anyone to tell us that they are sure "lots of people" enjoy our photos but don't comment for whatever reason. We really do need to hear from them ourselves how our photos move them.
On that note I am resolving to comment more. I have, at least temporarily, :grin: convinced myself that even a doofy comment is better than no comment at all.
After all, I crave comments too. I just thought "everyone" knew that already! :doofygrin:
:steps off soapbox:
Yay! I'm glad you're back and intending to continue posting. Now we'll get to explore your new place with you! And your trip to Germany! :)
Seeing the camera in both lenses is really neat, and I like that you kept everything in focus. Aren't these the glasses you bought in LA?
*hugs*
Glad you decided to post again! nicely captured reflections.
"Nice Photo". LoL - I absolutely refuse to leave such a crappy little comment without explaining why it's a nice photo. Or not. I'm thrilled you're going to keep posting and I swear I'll make a much better attempt at commenting. I even took two vacation days to make sure I'd be able to get back to you in a timely manner :) OK, maybe not JUST for your photos, but I needed to make a little bit of time for me and my photos too.
It's an unfortunate fact that life gets us busy. I think sometimes we have a habit of letting the important and meaningful things slip aside for all the crap that keeps us busy.
I personally need to recognize that fact a little earlier and take steps to prevent it. It just never dawned on me that the time I spend commenting and helping someone else with their photography would also help me with mine. It's a win-win situation for all of us.
Besides, you got me started on photo-blogging, I owe you a few comments.
Now I know why you watermark your images, but really, must it be across your nose?
Luv that you're back!
Glad to see you posting photos again! Personally I find myself leaving crappy little comments like 'nice photo' a lot which is why I don't comment on every one even if I do view them all.
I promise to do my best to post a constructive comment from now on!
Oh, and nice Oakleys btw! Round here we call them oakysuns (even if they are real Oakleys) as that's what the fake ones were being sold as in NYC. x
Ok, I keep looking, but I cannot figure out if you are holding the camera and if so where and how. So is this a self portrait? Where is the camera?
I mean I can see the reflection, I just can't get the spacial geometry.
I always liked Oakley's tag line, "thermonuclear protection'.
Darnit, now I wonder what I missed out on when I was away from the computer a couple of days on Spring Break and not seeing all the other comments. :shifty: Not that it matters of course.
MevetS, I think she's holding it away from her, with outstretched hands, pointing it back at herself... maybe?
I tried to leave a comment, but Blogger was being stupid and messed up--so all my deep and thoughtful thoughts disappeared into oblivion.
That said, I really like the double reflection in the sunglasses.
I also agree with Eldon's comments--since all my original thoughts were eaten by Blogger, I'll borrow his and agree with him.
I'm so glad you're back. :hug: :moo: And I love the picture. Your camera looks like a binocular. :lol: Great effect!
I think this is a great new spin on your motivation for blogging! I think you'll find a lot more freedom in doing it for yourself (or for posterity) and will be able to have lots more fun with it.
And I, for one, am glad that I will still get to see your pictures!
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