I feel strongly that the time I spend on social media has more negative impact than positive for me at this point. However, it's my only direct active connection to the photo world at this time. It's the only reason I stay. SS is fortunate that he'll have a voice and connection to photography outside of Instagram.
The lure of IG is for my photos to be viewed by so many people. For me that just hasn't happened and it seems that fewer people see them every day. I get WAY more engagement with my Substack publication, and that's where I'll be focusing my effort!
Yes, he's onto something. Why should a photographer spend time on a platform that has changed direction and is now promoting short-form video ahead of still images? Maybe Stephen should swap the fast-food world of IG and join us on Substack. Photography is a dish best served slow.
Everything moves in cycles. Nothing stays relevant forever. I totally get how Stephen Shore is moving on from Instagram. It had a brief moment of being of the zeitgeist, and now IG is just another media channel. The number of sponsored and recommended posts on the platform has made it the equivalent of network television in the 80's.
Coincidentally I am reading (and loving) his Modern Instances.
One by one, I let go of all social media over the last years, LinkedIn being the exception because of job opportunities (and nothing else, I will only open it when notified of direct messages). Instagram was the last app I let go of, earlier this year. I kept all accounts alive, and once a week, sometimes once a month, I will check via web browser if someone has tried to contact me. I have more time in my hands now which I can put to better use. I also welcome boredom. It sparks creativity.
Well, I think so. Posting a photo every day for six years, while quite an endeavor, seems like a good way to burn out one's creativity, to turn it into a chore, as one post mentions. And, as many have mentioned, social media channels really exist just to get your get your attention and get you to stay there by habit rather than desire. The bigger question, however, is why do we make photographs, and for whom? Is a wonderful, exquisite photo less so if only you, and perhaps some friends, see it, rather than hundreds or thousands of followers? Are our photos simply a means to get recognition and acceptance from others, or are they an end in themselves?
Instagram is an interesting one for me. For all the negatives of the platform culminating over the last few years, it remains the largest community for creatives - damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I've recently joined the private beta of Foto, a new photo sharing platform designed to be photo focused (hence the name). The community is limited by nature currently, but I'm enjoying sharing my work without being interrupted by sponsored posts every thirty seconds.
But as Andrew said, everything moves in cycles. I'm of the belief that if you share fulfilling work you love with the world, sooner or later you will find your community.
I have been pondering what life as an artist would be like without Instagram and Facebook. This article was something I needed to read. I hate feeling like I put effort into something that gives me nothing back. At the same time I worry about missed opportunities as all my galleries have found me via the platform.
It’s a fine line to balance. Curious to hear from other artists that have deleted their Facebook and Instagram. 👇🏻
I miss the old Instagram, it was so exciting for so many years, making, editing, and sharing everyday. I’ve slowly felt myself pulling away because there’s so much crap in there now. It’s an echo chamber of my recent searches and ads based upon my age and sex and personal style. Stuff I really don’t need or want reflected back to me. Before it felt so open and free, a way to get to know other photographers all over the world and look at their art. Now those experiences are just buried. Can’t help but feel sad about it. Coincidentally I walked by a huge ad at a subway station today with nothing but the words “less social media.”
I've been using Instagram more often lately to see watercolor sketches. But I've been feeling like the same way that Shore did. I think I post there more out of habit now than anything else. I like the newsletter format better for viewing photography, but hate getting emails. Shore's is one I'll subscribe to.
Oh, I'll be spending much less time on Instagram, as I deleted my account on the 1st of this year! haha
I thought I'd miss all the cool designs, photography, art... but I've started reading more newsletter from people who make great work, and they usually talk about the work of others, too, so I click over and find their work.
I've found photographers to follow on YouTube. I've been looking for more zines. Googlein'g peoples names. Started doing group video calls with my subscribers. Going thrifting. Finding old magazines. Reconnecting with old pals via email and phone. Writing my heroes to possibly work on things together.
Through all that I realize, holy crap... maybe I don't need to scroll through IG everyday to "keep up!"
He’s on point. I’m sad about what the gram has become. It was much less noisy, quieter and envelops in prudence. It has changed. So now , I’m right here on Substack.
I’ve used instagram less recently because of the very reasons we’re all falling out of love with it. I’ve started to create again maybe because I’m consuming less and thinking more of developing my own website further than it has got to so far. I’ll be sharing that here and on Mastodon/Bluesky.
I definitely need to spend less time on Instagram, and my phone in general. I am trying to get back to seeing the world through my eyes, instead of through a screen! Making things and creating, instead of watching and consuming.
I feel strongly that the time I spend on social media has more negative impact than positive for me at this point. However, it's my only direct active connection to the photo world at this time. It's the only reason I stay. SS is fortunate that he'll have a voice and connection to photography outside of Instagram.
He's hit the nail on the head here.
The lure of IG is for my photos to be viewed by so many people. For me that just hasn't happened and it seems that fewer people see them every day. I get WAY more engagement with my Substack publication, and that's where I'll be focusing my effort!
Yes, he's onto something. Why should a photographer spend time on a platform that has changed direction and is now promoting short-form video ahead of still images? Maybe Stephen should swap the fast-food world of IG and join us on Substack. Photography is a dish best served slow.
Everything moves in cycles. Nothing stays relevant forever. I totally get how Stephen Shore is moving on from Instagram. It had a brief moment of being of the zeitgeist, and now IG is just another media channel. The number of sponsored and recommended posts on the platform has made it the equivalent of network television in the 80's.
Coincidentally I am reading (and loving) his Modern Instances.
One by one, I let go of all social media over the last years, LinkedIn being the exception because of job opportunities (and nothing else, I will only open it when notified of direct messages). Instagram was the last app I let go of, earlier this year. I kept all accounts alive, and once a week, sometimes once a month, I will check via web browser if someone has tried to contact me. I have more time in my hands now which I can put to better use. I also welcome boredom. It sparks creativity.
Well, I think so. Posting a photo every day for six years, while quite an endeavor, seems like a good way to burn out one's creativity, to turn it into a chore, as one post mentions. And, as many have mentioned, social media channels really exist just to get your get your attention and get you to stay there by habit rather than desire. The bigger question, however, is why do we make photographs, and for whom? Is a wonderful, exquisite photo less so if only you, and perhaps some friends, see it, rather than hundreds or thousands of followers? Are our photos simply a means to get recognition and acceptance from others, or are they an end in themselves?
The time i spend on IG has dwindled ever since they introduced reels and changed the algo; I'm not in the entertainment business!
Instagram is an interesting one for me. For all the negatives of the platform culminating over the last few years, it remains the largest community for creatives - damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I've recently joined the private beta of Foto, a new photo sharing platform designed to be photo focused (hence the name). The community is limited by nature currently, but I'm enjoying sharing my work without being interrupted by sponsored posts every thirty seconds.
But as Andrew said, everything moves in cycles. I'm of the belief that if you share fulfilling work you love with the world, sooner or later you will find your community.
Great write up, Andy!
I have been pondering what life as an artist would be like without Instagram and Facebook. This article was something I needed to read. I hate feeling like I put effort into something that gives me nothing back. At the same time I worry about missed opportunities as all my galleries have found me via the platform.
It’s a fine line to balance. Curious to hear from other artists that have deleted their Facebook and Instagram. 👇🏻
I miss the old Instagram, it was so exciting for so many years, making, editing, and sharing everyday. I’ve slowly felt myself pulling away because there’s so much crap in there now. It’s an echo chamber of my recent searches and ads based upon my age and sex and personal style. Stuff I really don’t need or want reflected back to me. Before it felt so open and free, a way to get to know other photographers all over the world and look at their art. Now those experiences are just buried. Can’t help but feel sad about it. Coincidentally I walked by a huge ad at a subway station today with nothing but the words “less social media.”
I've been using Instagram more often lately to see watercolor sketches. But I've been feeling like the same way that Shore did. I think I post there more out of habit now than anything else. I like the newsletter format better for viewing photography, but hate getting emails. Shore's is one I'll subscribe to.
Oh, I'll be spending much less time on Instagram, as I deleted my account on the 1st of this year! haha
I thought I'd miss all the cool designs, photography, art... but I've started reading more newsletter from people who make great work, and they usually talk about the work of others, too, so I click over and find their work.
I've found photographers to follow on YouTube. I've been looking for more zines. Googlein'g peoples names. Started doing group video calls with my subscribers. Going thrifting. Finding old magazines. Reconnecting with old pals via email and phone. Writing my heroes to possibly work on things together.
Through all that I realize, holy crap... maybe I don't need to scroll through IG everyday to "keep up!"
He’s on point. I’m sad about what the gram has become. It was much less noisy, quieter and envelops in prudence. It has changed. So now , I’m right here on Substack.
I’ve used instagram less recently because of the very reasons we’re all falling out of love with it. I’ve started to create again maybe because I’m consuming less and thinking more of developing my own website further than it has got to so far. I’ll be sharing that here and on Mastodon/Bluesky.
I definitely need to spend less time on Instagram, and my phone in general. I am trying to get back to seeing the world through my eyes, instead of through a screen! Making things and creating, instead of watching and consuming.