41 Comments
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Randall Jason Green's avatar

My genuine thanks for endlessly searching for better options.

I loathe Instagram / Meta and unfortunately if the medium is the message then every photographer is a writer on substack and to be blunt this platform is full of great writing (most of which is not by photographers.)

Instagram is too shallow and gamified, substack is too content heavy.

Where is ArtStack!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I think embracing blogging/web 1.0 is the way to go. There seems to be a real appetite for it.

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Bill Bresler's avatar

I’m on IG for still photos, mostly B&W. The trend that annoys me is adding music to a posted photo. Distracting, it adds nothing to the experience.

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Andy Adams's avatar

I completely agree! I wouldn't say it adds nothing to the experience, but I have been bombarded with noisy music so many times, and it's very unsettling. I do prefer to look at pictures in silence.

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Steve Kean's avatar

I truly don’t know what to do. Social media seems more about building community. Yes that is important, but it doesn’t do much to help connect me with galleries and art lovers or buyers.

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George Streng's avatar

Emails that introduce new artists would always be welcome.

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TC's avatar

I've been blogging for nearly a quarter century. Never had much of an audience. As with capitalism in general, the upside applies largely to a small group of very influential people and the downside is far more widespread. We used to be able to at least communicate with our group of friends, but now that some people want follower counts with M's after them, we can't even have that. And of course "engagement" online is based on negative reactions. If we see something we like or agree with, most of us nod and move on. It's when we see something we disagree with that we are most likely to feel compelled to respond. The corporations have no idea how we feel when we agree with things; they only see responses.

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Chuck Avery's avatar

As far as Instagram, putting my serious work up there is akin to trying to sell it at the state fair. A newsletter shuts the noise off.

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Helynn Ospina's avatar

That would be awesome and welcome.

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Juliette's avatar

Hey Andy, I still check out IG from time to time but not for the reels - just the photos. But honestly, I don't have time for that anymore. Substack is where it's at for me. I wonder though... I still don't know if you got my introductory e-mail several weeks ago. I never heard. Anyway, llook forward to seeing what you do.

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Andy Adams's avatar

Hey Juliette! I'm sorry, I still owe you an email. I'll be in touch!

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Marc Manchester's avatar

Yes to photograph. Disillusioned because I remember when IG was relatively new and there was so much buzz about how it could connect you to your audience!! I've found 0 conversion and little photo fans. Extremely difficult to grow a substantial following. My followers are mostly models and photographers which is nice for community and like I said, meeting professional models. I get better traction on twitter and bluesky. Plus models are starting to show up more on bsky!!

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Richard Clapp's avatar

IG is about money for META. If we, the viewers and content, wish to use the platform, META makes money from the ads they insert. There are other platforms trying to be less commercial, but IG remains the largest platform for all kinds of photos, so all kinds of people use it.

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roxanne k's avatar

this sounds refreshing & inspiring. I love the idea & welcome it in my inbox—thanks for your endless pursuit of sharing art in a meaningful way! ⭐️

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Laura Tucker's avatar

I woke up thinking about this very thing. They are watching and listening to our every move. It's pretty scary, actually.

Like something or speak something in a phone conversation and suddenly, your Insta feed is full of that topic. Like yourself, I like the app. I like the connection, and have met some interesting people there.

But I feel that I may have to check myself into Instagramers Anonymous. I'm addicted. I admit it. Something has to change. The content is too shallow or too glam, and the connections are too personal with the algorithm.

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Nicole Tilde's avatar

How does one get on this newsletter list? I only see your posts through substack notifications on my phone.

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Andy Adams's avatar

Hey, Nicole! You may be subscribed already — or maybe you’re just following me here on Notes? In any case, go to this page and subscribe. You can get on a free plan or support my work with a paid subscription, no pressure. Feel free to DM me with questions. Cheers! https://www.flakphoto.news/subscribe

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Omar Parada's avatar

I've been on Instagram for long, and maybe I'm not using it right. The engagement isn't there, and many many times I've thought about leaving it. At the same time, no matter what, I still keep posting (less frequently now) some pictures I like in my photoblog. No one reads it, I have the feeling, but I see it as a long term kind of project for me, mostly. Indeed, these days we all are at the mercy of algorithms.

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Mary Sloane's avatar

I love this idea and look forward to seeing a new Photographer every week. The algorithms are out of control, I am not seeing my old friends. I look forward to this new project -Thanks for all you do for all of us!

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