Why You Shouldn’t Share Your Photos Online

Have you noticed yet that social media such as Facebook or Instagram or Whatsapp and other sites are basically just echo chambers when it comes to displaying your photography?

Have a look around and see if you agree that a lot of really crappy photography gets lots of thumbs up and over-the-top positive comments day after day.

For example this morning on Facebook a landscape photo was garnering lots of praise despite being so over processed in a raw editor that the grass was glowing.

This is not great photography folks and comes only second to the velvet images of Elvis framed on many walls. I won’t even mention the images of dogs playing poker but you get what where I am going.

And I’m not the only one.

Daniel Milnor has a very good video on this subject.

Here’s just one of his best lines and it is “the online photo community – the online photo culture – isn’t about truth. It’s about following. Those are dyametrically opposed things and that’s why there is so much BS online in the photography world.”

And while he’s speaking to working professionals his wisdom applies to all of us who shoot images and want to get better at our craft and art.

His conclusion? “You need to find someone who knows what they’re doing!”

You need to find someone who will tell you the truth. That can be a teacher or a fellow photographer or a mentor.

And guess what?

You can find all three at some local photography clubs. In my town the Oakville Camera Club offers mentoring and teaching and shooting opportunities for everyone from the very beginner shooting with a cellphone to some very talented photographic artists.

We all need feedback on our work but what we don’t need is unsolicited comments so present on Facebook offered moment by moment by scores of random strangers of dubious levels of talent and education.

You want to get better as a photographer?

Then join a club and take a lot more images that you’re taking today. Get outside and shoot more.

Become what Milnor calls “long play people”. Slow down and practice – practice – practice.