Instagram is a lie.

[@tracerx6324]

Instagram and all other platform have one issue: they keep you away from doing photography, or music or whatever, you have to spend an extremely amount of time to keep it running. Time you will loose doing the real stuff you like to do.

[@Abarataphoto]

Indeed! Several times I thought about creating an account and putting my work in it, but the amount of time I would have to spend there to get some sort of payback (not talking money, just an overall feeling of accomplishment) would most certainly kill my passion for photography and I would end up with no more works to put out because I lost interest, it wouldn't give me any pleasure, anymore!

[@patrickispeppa]

Nah, that's not true. It can be your motor as well. Trying to prepare something to show it to an audience is always a key way of improving by taking your work more serious than only doing it for your albums. But you're right in the sense that you shouldn't measure your success via instagram. I recommend the book "Show your work" by Austin Kleon, easy to read and really eye opening in this regards. :)

[@thelifeofjools8384]

Agreed... and looking at the standard of "influencer" on Instagram, it says quite a lot about the followers. Certainly Facebook and Twitter contain the absolute dregs of society... Instagram isn't far behind. Looking for highly popular and yet meaningful art, on Instagram....is like trying to find great poetry on the graffitied wall of a public toilet.

[@maxbashyrov5785]

"Content creators" vs photographers, Daniel Milnor on his channel (q&a 14, 16) put it very well.

[@tracerx6324]

@Jason Pettibone I think you can't compare Flickr with Social Media Networks. Flickr is specifically for photographers, in a way like DeviantArt or 500px. That's different, in my honest opinion.

[@dlim5687]

Instagram is a reflection of humanity, most easily identified when a photo of a good looking person gets 1000X more likes than a photo of a rare bird that took months to track and photograph ;)

[@strawzinthewind]

This.

[@serwinzzalot9989]

Well, i mean....right?

[@ChrlzMaraz]

Have the girl hold the bird. EZ.

[@nelsonclub7722]

Kylie Minogue is a rare bird

[@H1HP100]

This is so true. But if your celebrity (which is a whole new level) posts their selfie, and you're hooked, then that is why they have millions of likes. Also people who look good also spend thousands of dollars on their face, and body. That is something that you need to look out for bc wow, they're putting their work time pay checks (9-5) on their face, and looks. That is why they (the non celebrities but look good) also get thousands of likes. But once you start becoming serious on photography, and know how to target the audience then the account grows. Making it a professional account works pretty much (you advertise your photos by your payments). Also in small countries where english is not the ligua franca the accounts don't grow bc of language, content differentiations, lacking interesting things others can relate on, photos looking too good to like (just the thumbnails is satisfying), looking like stock images or google photos. Many use it like snapchat or fb or tiktok nowadays also. The people that use it are very talented, and yes both type of people all try very hard imo.

[@bradleyrieger1517]

I'm closer to 70 than 60 and I believe I'm the best version of myself. I used to fret over age but realized it was just making me feel old. A bonus is that my photography is better than it has ever been. Be true to yourself, not the twenty-somethings that think they have everything figured out.

[@oc2phish07]

A particularly good video. I liked this one a lot! As to age ... I live in London and I am 73 years old. I am a full-time teacher of Aeronautical, Engineering and Automotive training courses and I love it. I go out almost every weekend in London doinf street photography which I also love. I have NEVER, EVER worried about age, or growing old.

[@Hexspa]

I’m 103 where am I?

[@mikerupertus2326]

"do not resent growing old, many are denied the privilege". - Irish proverb

[@paulhargreaves1497]

Wise words indeed

[@andreak4280]

🙏🏼🙏🏼 so very true!!

[@matssandquist9258]

Or as I use to say, you can be happy as long as you turn one

[@LIJ]

That's so good

[@birdsmit]

Resent or not, the option is grim...

[@BenHeathcote]

The irony of “liking” this video is not lost on me. However, it’s a solid message.

[@hughjassstudios9688]

Liking the video actually boosts it algorithmically, as well as commenting. So however ironic it may be, in this case, you may actually help him

[@memusetoo]

I picked up my first camera in May 2019 at the age of 63. Became obsessed with IG and recently decided to funnel that energy towards yoga, indoor plants and publishing my first photobook, at age 65, which will be up on Amazon in July. I'm ready to start posting on IG again now that I've found some balance.

[@memusetoo]

Oh, and nice video

[@billkossmann9246]

Well said, and congratulations and best wishes on your photobook! I've rekindled my passion for photography after retiring last year at age 62. I've made the deliberate decision to not give a damn what anyone thinks of my work unless they also provide me with a well thought out rationale. I'm doing it to make *me* happy, not anyone else.

[@andreak4280]

@@billkossmann9246 🙌🏼🙌🏼 🎯 💪🏼💪🏼 👍🏼

[@NatyMidnight]

Amazing. I'm turning 31 now and often feel things are "too late" to pursue my goal of having a full-time wedding photography business but I am moving forward with it and see where life takes me in that journey.

[@wasgonnasdontcount]

@@NatyMidnight dude you're still wet behind the ears. Get your fanny out there and make it happen.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

50? Pah! I turned 61 last month - trust me, 50 is nothing! I was a professional photographer for ~20 years (20-40), and a professional woodworker for about the same. I started my KZbin channel aged 56, and I went full-time last year, a little before my 60th. Instagram is great, I post daily to promote my KZbin, but I don't think it's the platform to showcase 'serious' photography and I agree 100% that all these platforms that just show the end results - rather than the graft that's been put in - can give the wrong impression entirely. Great vid, thanks!

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

You have a great KZbin voice and very nice videos. Greetings from Belgium.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

@@PhotoArtBrussels Thank you! Best wishes from London. 👍

[@jonny1031]

Respectfully if I may ask, what would you say is the platform for one to put out serious work? Outside of physical photo galleries that is.

[@photowalk.podcast]

Well I just looked at your channel Peter and yes... you are an inspiration. In yourself you are. I am turning 54 in October and wondering WTF? I may be too old to even use those letters in and of themselves of course. My problem is finding authenticity.. doing stuff that is for the reason you want to make it, rather than anything otherwise, probably the reason why I don't post too often. You have to believe in it, that's vital.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

@@photowalk.podcast Thanks Neale! 👍

[@fritzv46]

The KEY take away: “There are a good photographers then there are good Instagramers.”

[@steveh1273]

I've always thought this about KZbin photographers, personality can override the photography. How good you come across in video.

[@benjaminkepinger7368]

It's not the key take away just one of those average internet wisdoms that dwell in binary thinking and don't bear any meaning. I personally don't like instagram and there are many average photographers as well as brilliant ones on there, who, in conntrast to me, just enjoy the social media game.

[@PWingert1966]

A good photographer that can integrate Instagram into his photography is a rare thing, but it can be done. Instagram is about telling a story that someone wants to hear just like photography is about telling a story in a single image that someone wants to experience.

[@lupolion]

There must be at least one (million?) modern day Van Gogh with tremendous talent and nearly no likes on social media

[@iurqlla]

Imagine all those who intentionally have no contact with any social media.

[@lupolion]

@@iurqlla 🤯

[@larrywilkes3818]

Dan, as someone who never sold a painting in his lifetime, Van Gogh would have got ZERO likes :)

[@lupolion]

@@larrywilkes3818 exactly my point, though I imagined that at least his brother or someone might have given him one

[@larrywilkes3818]

@@lupolion Actually his brother often liked his pictures :)

This is a great conversation. I'm 71. In my 20s I was a musician / composer and making a pretty good living at it. I got more serious about it and went back to school in my 30s. Midway through my 30s (1980s) I had to abort music and got a gig working corporate cuz I had a family. I stressed out so much over what success meant. Now, I simply enjoy being creative. I love photography, making videos, writing, creating music. I think I've learned that it is what it is, some 'make it' some don't through the weird lenses of our culture and media. It simply gets down to time. You only have so much it. How are you going to spend it? I'm no saint and I certainly don't have it all figured out, but I tend to follow my own advice and take the path towards my joy. Social Media is totally weird these days and your points are well taken. It's not like the online frontier of the 80s and 90s for sure. It seems now to be by default about branding. After all, we're all capitalist's and have something to sell is the Holy Chalice. This mindset, culture, platform politic, machine learned behavior, AI manipulation is becoming exhaustive and in the end destroys the creative process. So to your point about being 20 years old is well taken. Practice! Patience! Persistence! Right? No shortcuts...

[@mattdayphoto]

Loved this perspective, Ted!

[@freddylopez7536]

Ted thank you. You are always right on point. You are one of the best speakers on this platform and your content is always extremely informative and thought provoking. I'm turning 75 in a short minute and believe me this social media challenge is extremely daunting to say the least. I've been looking through the lens since I was 13 because of my fathers love for photography. I called him a professional a mature because he never did it for money but just for the love. He had a dark room in the garage and loved printing his work just as much as shooting. Getting back to my point. I dabbled in my teens but never really got a real camera until I was 21 in Hongkong on R&R from Nam. I was a Navy Tugboat Man. Fortunately I landed a job out of High School at Warner Bros Studios which they had to give back to me after the war. Like you I was falling in love with being a musician and brought a Gibson 335 back home from duty. Working the studio and playing at night I was in the best of both worlds. I was falling in love with the motion picture process and the music revolution that was all pretty intriguing. Ok cut to the chase. I'm currently still in love with my music and all the more with photography. Here's why I related to this story because I'm old and tired and constantly challenged by possible impending health issues and the reality of the fright at the end of the tunnel. I'm not giving up. I won't give up I can't give up. I have to much to share with my family , friends and the art world that's surrounding us through social media. I need to leave some of what I've created as part of a legacy to prove I was here and contributed art that can live on forever. So to the folks who get frustrated with slow moving traffic.....Fuck That. You can't rush art. Just stays ted fast and never stop challenging yourself. Keep seeking new concepts and always try them out if they ring your bell. But most importantly never give up your vision because you think someone else has a better one. Your personal view point is worth everything. There is where you get to tell the joke. If you stay there the world will laugh the hardest right there with you. Stay well Ted please keep this wonderful platform alive and enriched with all your brilliance and excitement for the most powerful art form this planet has ever experienced. Thank you sir. Much love. Send a note if ever you care to. That would be grand. [e-mail]

[@AoCabo]

Instagram is dumb and toxic for the mind in general, but especially for photography. Usually, "likes" don't in the slightest sense correlate to how good a photo is. I've seen massive "likes" on so many +1000 saturation, +1000 contrast, photoshopped background (where the light is in the complete opposite direction to the foreground's light), and kindergarten level composition. Sometimes I wonder if people who like those photos are blind? Or maybe bots. On top of that you're looking at an ad every 3-4 posts. Seriously??? You probably get less ads from watching TV. Unless you're already successful (likely because you got fans from other platforms or started like 5-10 years back), I highly advise against putting effort into the platform. It's complete garbage, it warps your perception, it wastes your time, and it'll probably give you mental illness over time.

[@andreak4280]

🎯🎯🎯 💪🏼💪🏼🌟👍🏼

[@1234KeithB]

Agreed. What would be a good platform to share on in your opinion?

[@danrosenphotos]

This was so much more than the title suggested. One of my favorite channels, artists, creators, photographers, and thinkers. Great message, brother, cheers to more to come from you!

[@bruceherbes3912]

Hey Ted, great vid. I just turned 58, I came to photography as a hobby and creative outlet about 2 years ago and I feel so excited about the future of making pictures, I’m currently making my first photo book, its a lot of work, curating, culling, editing sequencing etc etc - hard work is so rewarding. One of my favourite lines is “Life is a do it yourself job” meaning ....nobody is going to do it for you.

[@alejandroalvarez1544]

Best part about being in 50’s is that you don’t care.

[@ShootOnFilm]

So true! :-)

[@TankDude]

Same for the mid 40's :D

[@bobneedham6224]

60’s even more so

[@JoeLopez]

Best reply here.

[@williamcurwen7428]

Best part of being in my 60’s is that I really do care, but not all that much about Instagram.

[@pedrobartolomei7707]

Three years to grow a little and not a single client, lots of effort and cero gain. Got much more from just studying, taking pictures and promoting myself the "the old way" bussines cards and face to face interactions... Still use it as a virtual portfolio...

[@kretktzable]

My experience is completely opposite, I get almost half of my business through Instagram...

[@pedrobartolomei7707]

@@kretktzable in France they don't really use social media as we do, I continue to use it just in case they discover it exists ! (But not as dedicated as I was)

[@inquisitivemind8672]

@@pedrobartolomei7707 How do they go about promotion in France? I am curious...my daughter is a new painter and we've by word of mouth let people know and she's gotten a few small jobs like that but is just beginning utilizing social media with a purpose in mind...I guess.

[@pedrobartolomei7707]

@@inquisitivemind8672 Everyone might have a different experience or result, but for me its way better to research for clients and contact them, than using sotial media.

[@inquisitivemind8672]

@@pedrobartolomei7707 for us...we speak to people...they get interested and then a project blossoms from the conversation...it seems slower but it works out.

[@65WZ]

As a hobbyist, self gratification is always how I evaluate myself. I don’t have a single photo on my walls, and all my work is available for everybody for free.

[@el-danihasbiarta1200]

i'm trully agree with you

[@brktallman]

Brilliant video, as usual. Don't be afraid of 50, embrace it. You've earned it. I passed that milestone a couple of years back, and I'm just getting started. A lot of the people that fear 50 or get depressed about turning that corner oftentimes feel that their best years are behind them (high school quarterback all-star syndrome). They fear the future because they may not have anything to look forward to. I feel like when I hit 50, I was just hitting my stride. I've been a hobby photographer my whole life, but didn't find my niche until about 5-6 years ago. 50 is awesome. I love it! I have a certain confidence that I have lacked most of my life. If I want to try something, I try it, who cares what others think. I think you will enjoy 50, you have the right mindset.

[@myownirvana]

Some people just put too much importance on social media. I just share my work on Instagram for others to see my images without any expectation of getting anything back from it.

[@Smoothblue90]

The thing is. Social media. Has figured out a way to interact with creators in a way that. Creates brain chemistry. Similar to crack cocaine.

[@chod54]

I still have my flickr account and I thing IG has taken me away from that with the lure of better likes but my flickr account has way more likes and it's just for artists.

[@franklawler7055]

@@chod54 ...My Flickr account has the advantage that you see how many people view your photo...instagram doesn’t give you this. I put my favourite pictures on Flickr that hopefully show the animals I photograph at their best.

[@RoadtrippinwithTakacs]

@@franklawler7055 You can switch to a free business account on Instagram and see both your impressions and reach once you click "view insights" under the picture. I hope this helps! 😀

[@marcduchamp5512]

Don’t do it it’s a big black hole to feed

[@BarryMaskell]

Instagram was amazing at the start until Facebook took over and now it’s just a dogs breakfast

[@MemelordSupreme]

This! It’s basically turned into ADagram. Every other post is an ad or a link to a store to buy some junk. Non chronological order is absolutely horrible too. I hate it just also like being able to follow people of interest. It’d be nice if there could be a successor that didn’t hinder the experience like Facebook did with the platform.

[@BretMiller]

Couldn't agree more!

[@peterkelly8357]

It’s just another advertising platform to screw people for money

[@embodie_breaks7089]

Its been gargabe for so many years...

[@hartmutehuber]

You are becoming 50 this year and I am having my 6+th birthday tomorrow. We dont give up but we are making the best aut of it! And we don't let anybody dictake whate we have to aim for! Keep creating in your way, that is why we are coming to your channel!

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

Photography in 2021 is no different than any other career has been the past two hundred years: it takes YEARS TO DEVELOP... MUCH SACRIFICE... and MANY 'RISKS' WITH NO OBVIOUS GUARANTEES OF SUCCESS... but this always weeds out the mediocre, the unresolved or those who simply don't have the staying power/determination. **Here's wishing you much additional on-going success, Ted!**

[@jamilgotcher5456]

This! 👏👏👏

[@hans1187]

I like this. Social Media is new, but the human processes behind it are maybe not.

[@TheEverythingMan]

I’ve been struggling with getting older myself .. I think about it all the time … needed this Ted .. love you brother

[@BarkandJack]

Perfect perspective and it’s important we sit and reflect and make sure we are striving for the right things.

[@davidkelsey2864]

You are right on. Glad you have spoken up. I am 66, lost my wife to a chronic illness, now retired but on another adventure. Just spent the morning up country doing some photography and absolutely loving it. Last week bought my first photo editing program and loving the journey. We have to be ourselves and not let social media influence us to be otherwise. Square pegs don't fit in round holes. Thanks for the great words!!!!

[@MaryWenPhotography]

Even as someone you'd consider "young and hip", I get frustrated with the platform as well bc people my age think Instagram = photography, and a lot of those people don't exactly have talent, they just chase trends

[@theartofphotography]

Love your channel Mary

[@MaryWenPhotography]

@@theartofphotography Aww thanks Ted! You're an inspiration!

[@UncleTerry1001]

I so appreciate your insights here. As a former music major you will certainly understand my similar reaction when after I gave a solo recital I would hear comments like “you are so talented”, or “I wish I could do that”. They have just heard one hour wherein the public experienced my “talent”. I can’t begin to the express the hours/years of work and preparation that led up to that hour. The same is true, of course, for success and recognition in any demanding field, including photography. Here I’m a rank amateur, but a serious appreciator of the skills and work of you and the ideas and others work that you bring to us on this channel. Thank you.

[@LoveSeohyunShi]

A photograph cannot be defined by the amount of 'likes' on Instagram, as long as the photographer loves it.

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

You cant trust likes from the general public or professionals. The truth is somewhere in the middle of those two plus as youve stated, as long as you love it

[@jackkraken3888]

And you know how to take criticism properly and know when it's valid and when it's not. Sometimes others can see the mistakes and weaknesses in you that you don't so its important to figure out what's true.

[@Matt.Gillard]

I just turned 40 a few days back, and just like you said, it terrifies me; and more like I've been going through the different stages of grief. I've been under the delusion that while I see everyone I've known getting and looking older around me; that somehow I'm not getting or looking older too. But hitting 40 has almost been a mental breaking point out of nowhere, and having to face the reality that I am older (than I related myself too) and that regardless of my accomplishments and status, there are no do-overs & no take-backs. There's something therapeutic about hearing your take on it and knowing I'm not alone. Cheers.

[@HeathBlythe]

I don't care about influencers, I follow selectively, I avoid bots and follow for follows. Working photojournalist, Instagram works fine to upload one image per day, from the dozens of photos I shoot daily. Those who care about my work follow me avidly, those who don't, I don't care about them. Glad my income doesn't depend on how many followers I have or how many likes I have.

[@sl2608]

I've never liked Instagram as a place to showcase photography. I have many photographer friends who do that, but I don't get much satisfaction out of looking at a 2 x 2.5 inch photo on my cell phone screen, no matter how great the photo. It cannot be fully appreciated in miniature, so after a quick glance I move on. But Instagram has always been mostly about speed and quantity. When I want to view photos I would much rather see them on my computer monitor, enlarged, and take time to sit with and absorb what is before me -- much like sitting in a museum in front of a painting. I enjoy Instagram for the social aspect -- sharing quick pics with friends. But that's about it. Not my choice for sharing or viewing photography as an art form. Good video. Thanks.

[@mhdamayri2529]

This video is as real as it gets. I am 27 and i feel old and boring when on instagram and it got to the point where i simply left social media(except for youtube) almost 1 year ago and i never felt better. I am happy for yo that you find a chance to open up anout the age issue, i think it's just part of life.

[@user-nz8nb2vi4n]

congrats, I agree with you 👏 did you definitely delete instagram and social media?

[@JoshAmes1980]

This is why I still love Flickr. I wish more photographers would move there.

[@arcsephiroth]

and 500px

[@EDHBlvd]

I would go back to Flickr but the app is a joke. It’s so kludgy.

[@JoshAmes1980]

@@EDHBlvd Honestly, just using the website is much better.

[@TheRealJimmyLundy]

Move there? Everyone left there fifteen years ago.

[@JoshAmes1980]

@@TheRealJimmyLundy Yeah, and it was a huge mistake because Instagram sucks.

[@JQS8810]

I deleted every single social media a year ago. I went back to the basics, shoot and print.

[@Stop4MotionMakr]

"Instagrams easy when you're in your twenties and cool and hip" Literally hundreds of millions of 20's something who's getting nowhere on Instagram : Am I a joke to you?

[@pranavgaonkar8660]

Stole my words

[@Nordstatic]

Me 😭

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

My own 2 cents: because IG is mainly viewed on small screens, images have to have "pop" to get attentions. So, a lot of high-contrast, high-chromatic images that often look very similar to each other. In fact, there's an account dedicated to images that basically copy each other. As for age: feh. I'm 67 and started a photography channel just last year as a retirement hobby. Am I blowing up? No, but that's not how I value myself anyway. I've actually surpassed my own expectations; I've made several good connections in the creator community; and I'm learning a lot about video as well as photography. If I ever get monetized, I'll be happy if it just pays for more trips and gear. Anyway, I'm having fun. So, Ted, don't worry about turning 50. It beats the alternative.

[@theartofphotography]

True that. Thanks John - you're channel looks awesome! I'll check it out…

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@theartofphotography Thanks, Ted! I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.

[@V3kell]

Perfect timing my dude, I'm in my early thirties and needed to hear that. Especially from someone who's opinion I hold in high regard.

[@OsamaAlZubaidi]

I was always having the same fear of age and convinced that you can only grow up in Social media if you are in twenties but Honestly this video inspired me to continue in my KZbin Channel despite the fact that I am in my forties. Thank you

[@roamedmedia4242]

Ted, Love your videos. A certain part of this video struck me about someone being successful in real life in galleries and the like. It would be interesting to hear you talk about breaking into the field of photography per say away from social media since that seems to be what most people recommend nowadays. I am an engineering graduate from a technical school so I have 0 connections in the industry and have always found it very daunting as to how to even break in and get started.

[@danielerdos3046]

Agreed, I work as a software dev but would like to move to photography in a couple of years. And while I know how you could make money as a wedding photographer for example but I suck at choosing the easier path and love street photography and have no idea how could I make money from that unless I'm well recognized and social-media-famous

[@bigshooter461]

This is a really hot topic and I think it's complicated by peoples confusion with attention and intention. Too many people are intent on "Being Someone" to get attention rather than focusing their intention on "Doing Something". I hear what you are saying about 20s, 30s and 40s, I was also born in '71 so I have reached that mile stone as well and I think it made me start to realise why so many people seem to lack certain perspectives or understandings, they just aren't there yet. These social platforms, are the work, and are the product, for some, but for those who only post here to share, those, whose work is out in the world, there needs to be more focuss on clear objectives, that build leads, and close deals. Those who perform a service should be focussed on developing and refining their skills, likes don't pay the bill's unless your influence is making the sale.

[@fedvvvv]

Instagram sucks. Flickr is dead. I no longer share my photos online. I don't care what other people think of my photos anymore.

[@TokenWeb]

"In the real world" - this is exactly what Insta is not. Thanks for your words and saying it out loud.

[@ThomasClemens]

Sometimes I'm guilty of getting frustrated because of social media instead of enjoying photography as my hobby just for myself and to create photographs for my own pleasure, maybe to put on my own wall and not to have something to post on instagram for the sake of numbers. Thank you for the reminder!

[@CWReace]

I'm about ready to quit Instagram -- not because I'm not "succeeding" on it (which was not the reason I joined it), but because there is just so much noise on it I don't care about: too many ads, "stories" I don't give a crap about, etc. I wanted to be inspired by other photographers, but mostly I just shake my head and go look at images on Flickr or something. If I were trying to drum up business via social media, I'm sure I'd think differently about it, but so far nobody has gotten any business from _me_ via their Instagram postings, so :shrug:

[@Smoothblue90]

When I'm out and about. With my camera. People will ask me. Hey are you a photographer? And when I say yes. They will ask me. What is your Instagram? To me. That is enough of a reason to have at least one Instagram account with a gallery of your work.

[@CWReace]

@@Smoothblue90 Sure, makes total sense if you're in the business. However, I'm just a software engineer who loves photography as a hobby and wants to get better at it, but no real aspirations to make money off of it -- hopefully something to keep me busy and creative when I retire in a year or 2 (knock on wood). PS: What's your Instagram handle? ;)

[@DeanAllman]

First of all, I am 66 - and as long as you still got the passion, it’s just a number ;-). Second, lately I am playing with the idea of joining with audiences of people who share an interest as a way of getting my name out there. I have had some success with groups in social media. That is harder to do on Instagram as you are relying on hashtags to attract viewers with shared interests.(Although Humans of New York has been wildly successful) I also look at IG in the same way we used to use business cards. It’s not really the best way to show your work, as it is sort of a collection of thumbnails. So at best It is an ok way to show a sample of your work. It is also a good way to tell the story behind the work, and to develop filmmaking and writing skills in telling that story. The number of likes or followers becomes less important with that approach.

[@GettingNegative]

Heck yeah. I just turned 42 and I’m just starting to find recognition. It’s a little youtube, a little instagran, but it’s mostly me and getting my work in front of people printed. THAT ‘s the real world.

[@thebalance6869]

As someone who uses Instagram to post my occasional visions of life that interest me and make me happy, I read the title of your post and immediately judged it as something I shouldn't watch because I would feel judged myself. But as I get older, I'm really trying to learn not to judge a book by its cover and it'll listen and give room for people's opinions and ideas and views of the world. As an amateur photographer who loves photography but isn't seeking a professional career in it, I really love your commentary and ideas that you're sharing. I'm glad I watched your video. When I thought maybe it was negative, it turned out to be pretty positive.

[@splak_5624]

it's a 'marketplace' and microcosm of society - only a staggeringly small percentage will succeed at the highest level. most of that small few will have achieved their success for extrinsic reasons... ie, most that succeed will already have been wealthy/famous, had connections, etc. I don't think this necessarily correlates with how talented the person may be or how much work they may have put in. another factor is their (I would call it a lack of) ethics, and their willingness to do things that most otherwise "decent" people may not. wherever there is corporate money involved, it becomes a race to the bottom. people will do all sorts of stuff for fame - all in what amounts to be a myopic, reckless pursuit of short term profit. I feel at least a good portion of the people who succeed, weather previously famous or not, will have to distinguish themselves from the other worthwhile creators somehow. call me pessimistic but I don't think a lot of that stuff is likely to be decided in the healthiest ways. bottom line: capitalism destroys art (and everything else it touches) by turning it into a commodity; some thing with an arbitrary price to be bought and sold. you automatically price people out and exclude them.

[@Just-a-Guy1]

I started shooting at 22 in 1977. I used to shoot a lot then took a 41 year hiatus until I started shooting real estate here in D/FW three years ago. My skills have improved rapidly over time and now I photograph products, portraits, landscape, boudoir, etc. I credit a lot of my improvement to actually shooting a lot and trying to solve problems by thinking about what I am doing before shooting. Granted, my gear has improved greatly by both technology and quantity, but I still believe 80% of what I do is a result of what happens between my ears first. I've also been mentored by a shooter with 38 years of experience. Recently I've been uploading stuff to Instagram and I find the platform to be a total pain in the ass. I don't see myself as marketing myself there but I post mostly to help some of the models I shoot promote themselves. In general I find Instagram to be a frustrating waste of time but it is the platform of choice and if photographers and models want to be successful they must, as you say, work ridiculously hard at it. I use my behance.net page instead. It's owed by Adobe and it's much more direct. Sorry for rambling.

[@robwinklerphoto2189]

Springsteen didn't know it, but he was talking about Instagram: "This whole world is out there, just tryin' to score. I seen enough, I don't wanna see any more."

[@davepayne8500]

Hi Ted and Greetings from Japan, I just stumbled across this video by chance but wow…does it strike home. I’m retired 2 years now and after committing all my energy 24/7, 365 to corporate experiences and Leadership, I’ve found Photography and it is my avocation full time at the age of 66 and I’m committed to developing my Craft. I got into Instagram over a year ago as a way to share some of my work with photographers…and had come to the point that while my original intentions were good, I caught myself getting caught up in the ‘likes” and “follows” and the pursuit of “growing the numbers”. I’m now researching websites that are more targeted at servicing photographers and providing meaningful feedback/commentary that can actually spark thought and growth of my new Photography journey. If you have any recommendations, please do give me a shout! BTW - I AM now subscribed to your channel and look forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@chrisrothgeb8725]

Social Media, at it’s best, provides vanity metrics on any content posted. Vanity. That’s it. Keep the metric by which success is measured in perspective to your personal reaction. ✌️

[@andreak4280]

💪🏼💪🏼 🎯 👍🏼

[@raymorgan4337]

Thanks Ted. I'm now 68 and - honestly - I don't care what anybody thinks about me! I've been through doing things to get acceptance or approval; got me nowhere, except frustration and worry. And today's obsession with celebrity and image is anathema to me. Someone said 'Comparison is the thief of joy'; I think that can be true when it comes to photography. I really enjoy making photos and I do it for me. If anybody else likes them then of course that is very nice; if they don't they still give me pleasure.

[@sendnukes4859]

Facebook ruined it all from the instagram being a app for sharing photos to now reels videos and etc. The need for an alternative app is so much needed now dedicated to sharing photos only.

[@JustLIKESESSIONS]

You mean like a MySpace (before FB...)?

[@Kari-SF]

Flickr still exists

[@danielerdos3046]

There are Flickr, 500px, YouPic. But these are mostly for photographers. I don't want to share my pictures to other photographers, I'd like to share them to people who enjoy looking at pictures and not photographers. IG was pretty good before there were more influencers than regular users and before it was a money grab billboard where it shows your image to 20-30 people only if you don't promote it 😞

[@enigmabletchley6936]

Great video and you speak the truth! I completely changed career and became a teacher at 50 and had a very successful 13-year career. At the same time I rediscovered photography and at the age of 62 when I retired found success in my photography being used in books, magazines, newspapers, online and now a very special commission with an exciting heritage project. The only place I experienced ageism on a regular basis is in the IT industry which is why I became a teacher at the age of 50!

[@LtDeadeye]

Sometimes it’s one’s own ethics that may prevent Instagram popularity. The person who is more willing to post soft porn images, for example, will have more views and likes than those who won’t.

[@brianb816]

True, or whether you want to tag the different "magazines" aka reposters that have never held a camera in their lives, for them to repost your images so you can get 100 followers to their 5000

[@ChrlzMaraz]

How is someone deciding to show their own body in any way unethical? Spoiler: it's not.

[@LtDeadeye]

@@ChrlzMaraz You’re referencing moral ontology. Do you believe objective moral facts, values and duties exist? I’m guessing you’re not a moral realist. Surely you’d recognize at least some boundaries such as the ones broken by pedophiles.

[@ChrlzMaraz]

@@LtDeadeye I wouldn't consider myself a moral relativist for two main reasons: First, it would mean moral progress is impossible. For example, the moral progress of no longer holding the view that an adult who chooses to post nude photos is immoral. And second certain obviously immoral behaviors like slavery, pedophilia, and oppression of women and minorities would be morally acceptable simply because they enjoy acceptance by a culture.

[@LtDeadeye]

@@ChrlzMaraz We agree. To what or whom, in your opinion, are moral values, facts and duties, grounded?

[@KristianRoald]

This is so true Ted. Age is coming for us all, hopefully, so we can't let it stop us. I have been dreaming of photography and video since my early twenties. Last year I turned forty and I took my first paid gig. I learned so much that I am now just pushing forward, but not rushing it. Life is great when you do something you love. Thank you for making such an authentic and great quality channel :) I enjoy watching and listening to you. Have a great weekend!

[@julioareck]

Let's start with core questions: Why it should be so important to be successful on Instagram or other social media? Is it mandatory to have a lot of likes and followers? Do you really need it?

[@Jellybellyirish]

It's obvious why it can be important to someone. More eyes on something can be important when making a living as a self employed person. It's not all clout chasing idiots, lots of people are attempting to build brands and businesses. Noone needs it, but some people use it to great effect.

[@MauricioMascia]

I don't think it's important to get likes, but I can see why a photographer would want some sort of audience. It's nice to get feedback and it's also a motivation to go out and take pictures when you know there are people seeing them.

[@yesterdazenewsmag]

Exactly, nope. I don't care if people follow me or not. If you geek out over what I geek out about and we connect great, if not that's ok too.

[@andrearenner8879]

That’s a point you can’t mention enough, not likes, not followers are important, the passion behind is it, it’s nice if somebody else likes your work, but it doesn’t define you. And to built a business on social media is a lot of work if you take it seriously. Thank you, this message is so important and much underrated.

[@petersemmelhack]

I saw a quote the other day - “sustained happiness comes from steady progress towards a goal, not reaching it.” And that really stuck with me. Your age is irrelevant - do what you love, share it with those you respect and your best work will always be ahead of you.

[@rioosodog]

LOVE this Vid! The thing about age..... at 60 I retired and needed to take some photography classes. I walked into the class with tremendous apprehension and WHAT did I find.... all these young people saw me as an artist and they loved my work. I was accepted instantly when they saw my work!

[@DrRusty5]

I had two Instagram accounts and recently deactivated one (and almost the other one and facebook). I realised that the pursuit of followers is a dangerous trap, where the sense of your worth becomes based on the number of likes a post gets... I remember Flickr was almost as bad. I decided I wasn't going to commit the time to try and grow my following as ultimately for what purpose ? OK some desire the possibility of "fame and fortune" but honestly I am not one of them and perhaps I have finally realised I really have no desire to be.

[@sl2608]

You are so smart.

[@DrRusty5]

@@sl2608 Just a realist in a world of fantasies.

[@danielerdos3046]

It's OK if you're a portrait or wedding photographer. But if you're into abstract, street or genres where you need some sort of recognition in order to not starve what do you do? How people notice you so you can sell prints, publish a book, share some photos in galleries maybe. You don't need to be famous but you need to be recognized. Sure if you have gallery owner friends or win some competition, maybe...But that's recognition from your peers, fellow photographers, not your general buyer. IG sucks...but I'm not sure what other ways are possible for a bit more niche genres of photography

[@DrRusty5]

@@danielerdos3046 But how did they get recognition before Instagram?

[@danielerdos3046]

@@DrRusty5 that's the question 😀 I don't know. But I'm still early on my journey just trying to think ahead 🙂

[@Chris-NZ]

Well put Ted, I think that its easy to forget that in all walks of creative activity there are millions of happy “garage bands” to every one Rolling Stones, Beatles or Adele. All that social media does is give more people more chance for their work to get to more people compared to the 1960s when I took up photography or the 1970’s when I was making 8mm movies with my buddies. These days I’m well retired, have time again and am enjoying getting back to photography and (now) video making because they’ve endured as hobbies , but how good is it to have availability to reach a greater audience and the contrast in available technologies is staggering, even though the basic principles are the same. I’m sure thats where a lot of us are, happy in our hobbies and happy to have the opportunity for more people to enjoy what we are doing. As a natural back room introvert I know I’m never going to be, or want to be Peter McKinnon and I’m really comfortable with that, but that doesn’t mean I don’t find myself staggeringly impressed by the quality of his productions but equally with the effort that goes into the many many small channels producing great work. Peter is the Beatles.

[@ahojkiservuski8304]

Instagram is designed to make money and so it needs people scroll through this content as much time as possible. I know few photographers that are making beautiful imagesand they do photography for living. but they photos have on instagram max few hundred likes. They just dont have time to be on social media. Sometimes I have bad feelings too. Someone who is making overedited photos of their local area with 0 composition have grown much higher than me. But then I remember. I like being out and taking pictures more than sharing them. And whats the point beying famous when you are not happy doing it? Im much happier when someone who meets me in person will tell me that he likes my photos on their own. And my happiest moment while using my camera was pure offline. When I created a short music video on camp for kids with muscular dystrophy. At the last night of the camp I have played them this video on big screen. 50 people were watching it together. Kids and adults. I could everyone see interested for whole 3,5 minutes. And after that everyone literally thanked me for that video. Parents of these kids with hard life told me it means much for them since they can see on the video their kid happy enjoying that moment. The organization that organized this camp and is helping those people asked me for approval to present this video on their international presentation of organizations like this one. They showed me that they took it like a professional video. (It wasnt). Later they uploaded in on youtube and it has only around 4K views. But that very evening I showed it to them... their real reactions meant for me so much more than any likes on social media. Even from real photographers. I dint feel special. I felt useful. Thats why Im making photos and videos. To be hapier.

[@OGtalks]

When you said : be patient , it takes time , I really needed to hear that . I’m new to posting on KZbin and it feels like just getting monetised is something that’s impossible . It’s so hard not to compare yourself to others and feel like , you’ll never actually get anywhere . Anyway , great post , keep up the great work mate ! 🙏🏼

[@MortAllachie]

I have never understood the fear of turning 30,40,50… The day you turn 50, you are like the day before only a day older than yesterday.

[@yesterdazenewsmag]

Yep! Going on 50 in a few months. I look at it as a blessing to be granted this many years of living and don't take it for granted. Age is just a number.

[@nerwin]

Thank you Ted, I just turned 30 and I'm scared myself. But thank you so much for making this video, gave me some inspiration. I can't give up because life has just started for me, everyone is different and we all have different paths. I made the mistake of comparing my photography to others and using likes and followers as a barometer to measure how good my photo is and that's just not the way about it. More Ted rants!! Haha. Great video man. It was needed to be said.

[@pauljakeman]

The best idea I had last year was to totally quit instagram. I hope it works out for some people but for me, i don't miss it at all.

[@jamilgotcher5456]

I'm afraid to totally quit it because people who have paid me money for photography follow me on there.

[@pauljakeman]

@@jamilgotcher5456 always do what's best for you. I can see your point as your managing to use it for making money, deffo keep it if it's meaning you can make a living from it.

[@thelensguy6050]

I'm in my 30s too and I feel the pressure, somehow very confused of what are my actual roots and what path i ahould follow, i even tried to make a lens review with this channel, but there is a loot of work to be done until I get decent like you guys. What's even more scary is the reality of losing interest pretty fast, not necessarily depending on success, i just search for things to give me thrill and then it fades, like riding a motorcycle on twisty roads, it gets old , or going on different towns to do street photography, it's just worring that i invest in things at first and then lose interest in them...

[@matthewbell7014]

I’m 62 and just beginning.😊📷🎞

[@darioinfini]

Reverse thoughts back to you: I've been shooting for something like 16 years, less so recently. I've put my stuff on various social media, never gained anything like the top tier traction. Twice my market fell away to near zero and I've had to scramble to deal with it. I have seen other really great artists struggle as well, at least on social media. It's not clear to me whether I'm not resonating with the market, or I'm just lost in the hurricane of images, or I will even at times question whether I'm simply not as good as I think I am. But I can totally relate after 16 years to the sense of not really investing that much effort into it anymore. It's exhausting to put time, money, and effort into something that no one seems to care about. Moreover shooting IS actual work -- it's effort, and it's hard. And if there is no real benefit to it you can't help but question why you're doing it. To entertain yourself? That's cute for awhile but it doesn't pay the bills and after awhile it's hard to justify. I wonder if partially it's just saturation -- when everyone has a high resolution auto camera on their phone and is enamored with filtered selfies, what justifies anyone ever buying a photograph. It happens of course, but it's a trickle so I find it difficult to find the motivation to continue making an active effort.

[@carollusmarcos]

So many truths in this video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I can relate to Manu of them.

[@felipepavan5360]

This topic you point out is so reassuring because is something that runs through my mind a lot. And in some point you begin to question about yourself and everything you socially and work related. I would love to hear your thoughts on 'being a instagramer and being a photographer'. Thanks for this video Ted.

[@dtay345]

Great video as usual. As I said to my daughters a few years ago....Strive to be skillful, don't strive to be famous.

[@stephenschildbach940]

I agree with the viewer's comment you highlighted, about Instagram being set up for people in their 20s, more than your long reply, but that is not to say that those of us in our 40s, 50s, 60's and older should not participate in IG. Despite the particular absurdities of these social media platforms, we still can express our own voice and play the game. Also, as an audience, we can collectively shape IG to be more about quality instead of superficial personality. As an audience, let's support the outliers and unique creatives, and not follow the superficial influencers. Yes, they are harder to find, so as an audience, we need to put in a little harder search for those less viewed more interesting artists, photographers, and personalities. I like KZbin better, and like your channel!

[@VivienneLee]

So very well spoken Ted!

[@saeed904]

Well said 👍

[@erichansen7996]

Thanks Ted, enjoyed your video. Almost 60, I enjoy the engagement from various people who follow me on Instagram. I post what I like, regardless what is happening elsewhere. Getting to know the global village of people who enjoy photography is the reward.

[@RonK]

In your fifties you will realize that time's running out. You can still achieve targets, but out of ten things you really really wanted to succeed at, you have time to resolve two or three only IF you're quick and lucky and stay healthy. And you finally learn that there are tons of things you can NOT "still achieve later", even if you live for another 50 years. Nobody became a professional surfer, tennis player, ski or car racer after the fiftieth birthday. And yes, if you move to another city or country, it's much harder to make new real friends then twenty years ago. and - last and perhaps least - young women do not even realize your existence anymore, not even if you were sitting in the same bus or so, lol

[@davidpearson3304]

Remove the “young” part from the women comment. It’s just women period….and if you’re still single in your fifties, probably best to just get a dog. Because an average guy in his fifties has no shot anymore.

[@ziggy149]

At least you’re being honest. Just turned 50 in December, but am in the Bay Area of Northern California, and have been for only 2 years after having started travel nursing at the end of 2016. I’m now taking a permanent position at the hospital I’ve had my assignments at for these last 2 years. I’ve sort of come full circle in that I was in the central coast when I was 20. Totally was trying to live out here then after having drove cross country in an old Monte Carlo with a friend I made at a resort job in Northern Michigan. I basically was her ride back to California - her and her boyfriend were taking a break for that summer. As a thanks, they let me live at their place until I could figure stuff out; albeit, I was to live in a tent in their yard, but whatever. I was 20. 3 months past and it started to rain. I ended up back in Michigan with my California dream crushed. Never thought I’d end up back here. I DO feel like time is running out, but I’m hiking in beautiful hills and mountains and have vastly improved my cardiovascular function in the last year and a half. Lost a bunch of weight and enjoying some of the best weather in the world. I don’t know. Of course I wish I had been able to do all this way way sooner, but I almost feel like I appreciate it more now. I am super grateful and feel extremely lucky at this point. It’s almost liberating to have the attitude that it is what it is and to just flow with it.

[@platypusslemon9163]

Try talking to women your age you old creep, Jesus.

[@platypusslemon9163]

@Rozanna I think you see girls with Daddy issues.

[@carriehannigan4570]

Good insights! I recently had to sit my family down and tell them the reality of "selling" my photography work...it takes a lot of investment (time, money, etc.), and most of the work is not behind the camera or in Photoshop. I have a rewarding and good paying day job not related to photography, so even selling my photos successfully as a side-hustle would cut drastically into what I love...shooting photos. It's good to keep social media clicks in perspective.

[@mandiworld]

Don't worry about old age Ted, it doesn't last long.

[@TheFilmFellow]

It’s for this exact reason not too long ago I deleted my Facebook and it’s been liberating. And then to hear a story in last weeks video about Keith Carter making photos just simply for him! Great video again Ted!

[@PhotographerSen]

"Then I got my ass handed to me..." 🤣🤣🤣 reaching my 30s next year, I'm feeling the same and hoping for the best..

[@harryvuemedia]

Well said Ted. On my media pages, I used to invite others to come subscribe & follow my page. I would be a bit disappointed on why I am not getting many "likes" on my arts compare to other photographers. As i worked more and more on my social media pages, I realized the "likes" doesn't really help my page as much rather it's an added bonus to my work. The people that will really admire my work and creativity are my clients for they will carefully check out my work to see if they like my style and will hire me. Thus why i don't care too much about "likes" or competing with others anymore because most people these days will just scroll past my post. I don't even invite others to like my page as well because its pointless. If they like my page, then they will follow it. I kept it simple for myself so that I don't focus so much on likes & followers but rather on myself. Thanks for the reality check Ted.

[@wcsah]

This was a really engaging talk. Well put-together, good presentation. Thank you for sharing!

[@CanadianArchivist]

There are some people who want to have a quick fix or celebrity status or whatever they’re trying to do on social media platforms. I post photographs of my work, and sometimes archival photos from my own collection. If I post to get”likes” this is a serious issue. Now it’s about trying to become popular. The likes may begin to dictate what I post, and those likes are also controlling my content which I’m not going to key happen. Now I’m being controlled as as artist. It’s slowing down the creative process and not giving me the freedom to do what I want and my work gets stale. The other thing “likes” do is placing images that are popular that everyone else is posting at the same time frame, and everything begins to look the same right across the platform in other peoples accounts. I post what I want. When I want. I do my best to put out quality work. I like to be consistent so that here are blocks of images that are somewhat similar so it doesn’t appear disorganized. If it looks disorganized, that says a lot about your work, or how you are as a person because it reflects back on you as you project that. Do I follow people? Yes. Do I have followers? Yes. Do I get likes? Sometimes. If I put out good work, be consistent, I will gain an audience. This is what I appreciate. Those followers are doing this because they value my work for what it is, and it isn’t based on likes.

[@CheapCharlieChronicles]

I’ve never used it or Facebook. KZbin is #1.

[@AlanMeksikanac]

Can I ask you, where do you post your photography? I just bought my first camera so I'm still learning

[@Neuros]

@@AlanMeksikanac So while I'm not the OP of this particular comment, I think I can still offer some insight that follows the Tom's message. So I had recently purchased a Yashica Mat 124g medium format film camera off of someone on OfferUp. After initial pleasantries and what have you, I had asked him where he posts his work as he had shown me some and it was definitely decent work, he explained to me that he's not a big fan of social media and it's purely for just personal enjoyment. So to come back around to your original question, I think the best way to go about answering that question is first figuring out what you're looking to achieve. There are tons of sites and tools available to you, but before you get mixed up in all of that figure out what you want to do.

[@Smoothblue90]

I have five Instagram accounts. One is for work. When I'm out and about with my camera people will ask me. Hey are you a photographer? And I will say yes. And they will ask me. What is your Instagram? So. Imagine that scenario. Imagine you are out and about. And you run into someone. And they ask you if you are a photographer. And then they ask you, do you have an Instagram. Imagine the gallery of photographs you would want to show that person. And create that Instagram. Separate from the Instagram you use for your food and your travel and your significant other and your dog and your running and your working out yada yada yada...

[@TheLadman1]

Spot on. i never understood why people get caught up with the numbers game. you can’t compare someone’s success to your own because you don’t know what they did to get there. Instagram is a good platform to post on just like FB or Twitter but you can’t expect to hit success on social media platforms with out keeping in mind how that platform works and gear your content towards that. i see and hear it all the time that someone spent hours or days on an image or video and it gets low interaction and then posts something that took minutes and it goes wild.

[@natepotter6911]

Age is a number, nothing more. I'm late 40-sonething, going on 14, lol. Good video.

[@tedsmith_photography]

I gave up recently on almost all of my online aspects. I ran my website for 13 years, Instagram for 3yrs, Facebook page for 3yrs. What did it achieve for me? A few people clicking like, and the very occasional comment to say "well done". I have kept my IG alive but closed my website down (because it was costing me £ each month for no benefit) and FB pages down (because I just didnt see the point). IG is a free way for me to keep sharing a few bits but I've stopped caring about how follows me, or who likes my stuff. None of it really helps make us better photographerers. In fact, I just found it disheartening when you post the picture of your life and nobody sees it or cares or only takes the effort of raising a thumb to press like to acknowledge it. So now I just shoot for myself and the family. And I am happier for it. Bring back the days of community photo groups over coffee and a sandwhich!

[@evandouglas9310]

Would anyone be interested in starting a discord channel to share our own work with people who appreciate it? Without all the headache of working the Instagram algorithm

[@john.m.peterson]

Check out The Photographic Eye channel on KZbin, Alex just started the TPE Photo Community on a discord channel like you mentioned. He’s a genuinely sincere guy and I’m thinking of joining too.

[@zakstone9821]

Thank you. I’m turning 45 next month. I quit my real estate job of over 20 years just about 5 years ago to follow my passion of photography. Now I’m a full time busy photographer. I love it. But I started to feel like am I too old to keep this up? But after this video. Nope. I’m just getting started. Thank you for this video and all your videos.

[@Kodachrome40]

Welcome to the 50's. And welcome agism.

[@julieholland9639]

the only thing I hate about being 60 is the aches and pains, photography itself has kept me younger mentally because I'm involved with so many ages that all love the same things and love to share photographic ideas, I've just started in drone photography, there is always something new to experience

[@rbweston]

Several hours work on a flawless Urban Landscape image = 4 likes. Crappy over exposed image of a half naked lass = 5,000 likes.

[@Smoothblue90]

I remember watching a video years ago where a guy was talking about how he would work on a travel video for a week with hard work on the ground and drone work and editing. And it would get an average amount of likes. And then he would do a video with three girls in a hot tub with a thumbnail with three girls in bikinis. With less than a day's worth of editing. And it would max out on likes. And how frustrated that was to him because he really wanted to do travel videos.

[@JdTV79]

I am an amateur photographer from Barcelona. I was the runner up on a city-level award in 2016 and I was also shortlisted in 2017, and I have won two more local awards from different neighborhoods, awards where hundreds if not thousands of pictures are submitted. All of this since 2013, when I started taking photography really seriously. And yet I have 902 IG followers in the day this video was released. I do different kinds of photography (street, concerts and starting on landscape) on IG and that makes things a little more difficult to get a faithful following, yet I can't deny that it has bothered me sometimes. But you live to learn with it.

[@pauloancarvalho]

Everyone is tired of commenting on Instagram and even here on KZbin just to "praise" and say "congratulations, your photo is amazing". I never liked that kind of commenting behaviour anyway. I just prefer using social media to discuss as a community, however there's a problem with this, most creators don't even respond (I don't mean the ones with millions of followers, I mean, even the smaller ones don't care about their audience). So yeah, social networks are toxic in a certain way, but it's up to each individual to use it as they wish. I just have fun capturing, editing and sharing videos of me practicing action sports, I don't really care about the likes, what I care is if people starts practicing and living an healthier lifestyle because of my videos, but still, I don't expect much of it anyway (like I just wrote this out of my mind and didn't even care about my english writing). I agree with most of your points! 🙂

[@othomsen1]

Photographers at Instagram inspired my to develop my photography. I joined Instagram when I was 53, and l’m now 57. It has challenged my in a good way. Sometimes it put a negative pressure on me but overall it has giving me a lot. If you have the right audience/followers they can be a good guidance.

[@Smoothblue90]

I remember when I joined Instagram. Like you. Probably three plus years ago. And people talked about how important it was to just post content. So that's what I've done. Head down. Hard work. Lots of images. There are two people. On Instagram. I found. Who shoot photographs similar to mine. That I occasionally message. To ask them a question or two. Or give them a little support. They have each given me a positive comments on my work. That has been worth more to me than any of the random likes.

[@jkingwhistler]

Interesting perspective Ted. One of the biggest pitfalls is believing that the "likes" are genuine. It seems to me that a fair amount of activity on Instagram is self-serving. People search out feeds (say a street photography feed) then just blanket-"like" photos and leave comments (many are shortcut comments saved on their phone for speed), in order to gain more followers. It all seems very disingenuous, and not something to base your self-worth on or skill level. On the flip side, I have had a number of decent interactions with other photographers thanks to Instagram and I think it can serve a purpose to bring like-minded people together from all over the world.