What signs should you follow? If you upload pictures on social media websites you will know there is usually some form of audience judgement of your success as a photographer. How good you are is supposedly measured in votes, clicks, awards, views, badges... This is a good strategy for website owners because everyone likes a pat on the back and so visitors keep coming back to their website for the rewards and little treats. As they say in website terminology it makes the site more 'sticky' and more visitors equals a bigger audience share and more revenue. Photographers fall into the trap of trying to please broad website audiences and they let this cyber-gang steer and even rule their creativity. Do you really want to let people who breeze past your image barely giving it a glance or pausing to comment, vote or paste a badge determine the direction of your creativity and influence your vision as a photographer? Most visitors are hoping you'll return the favour ...
This blog is about Paul Indigo's views on life and photography.