Nobody Cares About Your Photography
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Have you ever felt like no one cares about your photography?
That you just don't match up to other photographers that have more pictures, better pictures, and wider exposure?
Well, if you ask Ted Forbes from the Art of Photography, he'll tell you that even though no one might care what you do as a photographer or what I do as a photographer, producing images that matter is nevertheless extremely important.
In the video above, Ted addresses this notion that no one cares about your photography.
On the one hand, part of the reasoning for this is that there are simply so many photographers putting out so much work.
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That's only increased in the last decade or so as mobile photography has become a thing and put a very capable camera in the hands of just about everyone walking down the street.
That's led to a huge increase in how many photos are taken and shared each year - 1.2 trillion of them in 2017 according to a report by Business Insider.
So yeah, with that many photos floating around out there, it stands to reason that most people don't care what photos you or I take.
On the other hand, as Ted points out, the arts have played a critical role over the centuries of helping to shape and define various cultures.
And from that point of view, producing art that matters and that means something is essential to the continued development (and survival) of our culture.
That's because the arts helps make us think and creates awareness about things that we might not otherwise have exposure to. It can change the way we live.
Furthermore, the photos that we take can have the power to create positivity and make us feel better about ourselves and the world in which we live.
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So, that means that we all need to focus on our art form and challenge ourselves to not just go for the easy shot, but to go for something that has meaning.
That, in turn, means finding ways to learn, to practice, and improve upon the skills that we have and acquire new skills that help us take our photos to another level.
Today, more than ever, it's easier to learn about photography given the plethora of tutorials, guides, YouTube videos, and so forth that are totally and completely free to use.
Editor's Tip: Creating a meaningful photo doesn't stop when you press the shutter button. Instead, it should end with a beautiful print. See what your photos look like as fine art prints.
In the end, the vast majority of photographers, and on a larger scale, a vast majority of artists as a whole, will never become household names. And that's okay.
As Ted puts it, as long as you're striving to create photos that have meaning and depth, that have the power to change attitudes or feelings, and make a real connection with people, then you've done your job.
That's true whether a photo of your kids is seen by ten people or 1 million people see your photo of an untamed landscape.
In an Instagram kind of world, it's hard to remember that photography isn't just about likes and comments.
Just remember that this isn't a popularity contest. Instead, photography should be something you pursue because it gives you joy and provides meaning to others, no matter how big or small the audience might be.