Freedom to publish: "How to build a following as a communicator and artist". By Thorsten Overgaard

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Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. You are always welcome to send an e-mail to Thorsten for questions, suggestions and ideas.
Thorsten Overgaard is an independent writer and photographer who write, teach workshops and publish user reports about the equipment he uses. There is no affiliation with Leica Camera AG or any camera dealers, no free gifts, no sponsorship, no kickback and no paid content. All you see is real and based on the life of an eccentric and hard-working photographer who makes his own money, buys his own equipment and form his own independent opinions - and shares with you. Enjoy the ride.
Video Credits:
Produced by: Thorsten Overgaard (www.overgaard.dk)
Equipment:
This video was made with the Leica SL bhpho.to/3cIbPEg and Leica 35mm Summilux-L ASPH f/1.4 bhpho.to/2MEr0nn , using Sennheiser wireless microphones bhpho.to/2zafn4v .
#Photographer #Artist #SocialMedia
#2085-0121

[@johnfarley4201]

What wonderful and generous advice Thorsten. Bless your heart. Thank you.

[@leslumieres1237]

This is 25 minutes of very sound advice.

[@SkylerKing]

I’ve quit Facebook. Never had Twitter. Rarely use Instagram (just to post, never to browse). KZbin is about the closest thing to social media that I use regularly. Like you, I also don’t allow most notifications on my phone. My phone is also permanently set to silent. No regrets. Life is for living.

[@longrider9551]

well said kiddo 👍

[@wellerisms]

True Words. Thank you ❤

[@grantmedical]

Dear Thorston... Thanks again for your honest informative content... Well said!

[@davidroadcup6634]

Well said Thorsten. We all have our own photographic Voice and should feel confident enough to express it. I've been following you for years. Thank you for your insight and professionalism. Much appreciated.

[@Mr7Poz]

Very sobering, thank you.

[@genobambino]

You go, Thorsten! Love the libertarian mindset and the comic art.

[@chepo1956]

Hi Thorsten, Jose from Puerto Rico. I enjoyed this session today. I bought a camera last week and now I take long walks and just photograph. I cut down on watching news because it's so depressing and social media is a waste of time. I have the ocean 5 minutes away from me and I just sit and wait for a nice sunset and photograph it. That brings me joy. Keeping it simple Thor, just like you said in another video. I'm reading the book on composition I bought from you and that's something else that brings me joy.

[@Biosynchro]

TV is junk food for the mind. 😉

[@duanepandorf7251]

Thanks Thorsten, I’m in the process of moving blog off the big blogging site to control my own destiny. Your video is confirmation of that decision. Plus the family is reducing our dependence on the “cloud” to control all of our data that’s out there in the ether that can disappear in a “New York Minute” or faster of course.

[@remikus]

Best part of the video when you clicked - hide all stories from CNN ;) love it!! ... and I also deleted my facebook, twitter, some BS pinrest, insta and a few more. Didn't benefit me at all but now all valuable time goes to photography, books, family and my own interest and passions. Cheers

[@paullefko]

Exactly spot on

[@thomasclark631]

I have left Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. I have shut off notifications on the one site to which I still post photos, Flickr. I intend to turn my attention to producing photo books which can be shared with friends and which have a much greater permanency.

[@dominiquecollard9068]

Ever so wise Mister.

[@hotlippsmartin]

Very helpful thoughts - thank you

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Thank you Thorsten. 👌

[@thegirlwholeftthefridgeopen]

Thorsten, I actually had a friend today who shares funny stories on his facebook and he actually got locked out of his facebook and forgot his password and he got a new phone which didn't have the password. Luckily because facebook is connected to instagram, he was able to retrieve it but he was really lucky. So it reminded me of this video. He almost lost 5 years worth of his collection of stories and his audience...

[@danielrao3120]

A very interesting video. I totally agree with your views on social media. Personally, I find the whole concept of Twitter, Facebook, etc. rather disturbing. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@webersteve1547]

Excélent!

[@iamgcase]

Thank you! A true statement for individuals being able to be independent... I am happy to have found you on KZbin.

[@klarkolofsson]

I believe this is your most important video for artists/creators (whatever the label). Control your brand and the distribution of it.

[@Dark_Viking]

Many truthful words about the modern social media and people's obsession about them. 100% agree with you!

[@bernie0617]

Thanks Thorsten. By intuition, I never got involved with platforms, and after watching your topic I am even more convinced this is the way to go.

[@javiersuarezpena6860]

I´ve never been good with Social Media and everyday I realize more and more about the importance of build a good presence in my own way to have the freedom to create what I want, even if it takes a little longer to get "recognition" or an income as a photographer

[@salmonefotografia77]

Always thank you for sharing, and I have learned much more from you! Be save!!! 👍

[@johnfarley4201]

You are such a good fellow.

[@alanwilliams9842]

Excellent episode, freedom is priceless.

[@dgoullet1]

Good comments

[@richarddenise3886]

You are the Man !!! I love your content, conviction and character. You've got a fan for life. Bravo !

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you!

[@illyaswan]

Thanks for sharing this. 🙏

[@user-sg6xv2kb8s]

You're a very astute man and wise to follow these principles. I feel for the younger generation who don't know any different. Also worth being mindful when choosing website providers to ensure protection. Thanks for creating a unique channel with fantastic insights into photography and business, always enjoy your videos :-)

[@george.fakinos]

Beautiful video and very well explained! Unfortunately most photographers don’t pay attention in those details.

[@victorsindean]

Thank you for this! I was a great reminder to stop scrolling and focus on creating. I respect your sincerity

[@harrisonkim4313]

And just to be clear: the constraints are a box. New ideas from left right up or down are equally suppressed. If only 2 word long slogans pumped by celebrities and athletes gain a hearing, the future just becomes a tighter and tighter circle of people who agree with one another automatically until that circle tightens to one... then zero. Great video.

[@phillipP8848]

Well said, so true. Thank you.

[@bjornelenfors2039]

Important message!

[@ionluv]

Thank you for inspiring me.

[@shellywilks883]

This was beyond photography, plainly it was packed with words of Wisdom! The whole world needs to see and listen to this. Happy New Year and thank you sir!!!

[@Biosynchro]

I think that social media is fine, but you are right anyway. Don't waste your time arguing with people who don't want a dialogue. Think of yourself as a business, a brand. Your job is to give value to people, not to fight with them. Another thing: have a presence on multiple platforms and always let your audience know this. E.g. have a KZbin channel but also an Odyssee channel. Be on Twitter but also Parler. Etc. Publish content on the alternative channels that isn't on the mainstream channels. Don't wait until it's too late!

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Thank you. 👌

[@Lihto666]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom :)

[@mandingowarlord]

Love it! Your message is spot on, especially in todays market.

[@lucaslammott1811]

Excellent video and message. Social media is not a foundation for your art... it's a branch of the tree that is constantly being trimmed and pruned. Thanks for the reality check.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you :-)

[@peetje28021970]

Very informative Thorsten. Love your videos.

[@georgejenkinson9287]

I enjoyed listening to TG on this and when I got the the end I realised it is perhaps the first (only?) video where there were no links to ebook downloads? Must be a topic very close to TG's heart!

[@zachminers9952]

Love it!

[@budjames4137]

Great piece! Thanks.

[@JosephEFizer]

Thank you!

[@supersingular]

What an amazingly objective and valuable video. Truly loved your insights on this. You're absolutely right, we should build a community not around a platform but around ourselves. The Trump's example was absolutely on point. Looking forward to Web3.

[@ObservingBeauty]

your insights here are a true gift for 2021. thank you

[@KristofferTrolle]

Great advices!

[@BilBrown]

Yep! I have remained independent even while being working with others. I have always bought my cameras and even my editorials have been by my design. I may have a very small following, but I feel very good about what I do.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, you do your own thing, Bill. bilbrown.com/

[@Brause_Market]

That was chill to watch. You should have your own Netflix series ; )

[@Blackmind0]

i have the same thoughts, maybe thats because of our age, we know and think about other possibilities......i am useing the internet since 1996.....social media is a big trap for the youth....everything has to be fast, information and pics are gone after minutes, sometime seconds....and you give your art or Inspiration in other hands...greets bm

[@ionzen]

100% Thorsten.

[@ChrisW.Fuji_Canon]

Your channel is great cinema

[@BilBrown]

Also, nice Newton :)

[@PhilJohnston]

Sadly this is a topic for people who pay attention to how social media companies make money. For those who are less informed or naïve they are facing a life of sadness and regret. Their normal lives will never be enough to get the likes needed to make them feel happy and fulfilled.

[@MoiseLevi]

Good points about social medias, you also get hacked, my brother lost all his content on Instagram, they did nothing to help him out. So basically use them all to bring your followers to your own web site.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Sometimes loosing it all can be a blessing. Gives you a fresh view what you actually want to do :-)

[@Biosynchro]

I follow a girl on Instagram who lost her account a couple of years ago. Hacked. She never got it back. And that's how I heard of her. Her new account is at least as big as her old one. So as Thorsten said, it can be a blessing in the long run. Some people are not so lucky though. But, one shouldn't give up, even though it can be very hard to keep going sometimes.

[@kevinarmstrong3415]

I agree. But can you do another video about how to build a following etc please? I am interested in building a website and am keen for your opinion and advice. This video was very interesting but tended to focus on what not to do that is which platforms to avoid.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Good idea. I will try to do that. Whenever I've done an "Artists Night" that has been one of the big questions.

[@xx-ip7ej]

Please share the comics :)

[@petervonwalden1672]

👏🤗👍🇸🇪

[@TheVFXbyArt]

Ty for the post! Do your videos only live on youtube or is there another home for them? Thx!

[@nickslide]

I searched for your books in books by Apple. And didn't found you, how can I buy digital versions? Better if you have printed. I live 2 hours from København

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Totally agree. I follow a couple of so called Photography channels and they are all about the "likes" and if you "lick" them enough you get rewarded with a "heart icon" Now most of those channels already banned me cause when they are wrong, I try to explain them why they are wrong and this almost always about Physics or why do you use this or that, cause taste is hard to debate. I never curse or offend people and try to explain things the right way. Often other people agree with me but then the next day my comment is taken of for the rest of the viewers beside me (always check with another account) Now personally when I like an image I shot and show that to people, I get lotsa wow's and ohh's and of course it is nice to hear, but there is more value in comments that don't like that shot provided that it is accompanied with some decent substantiation cause nobody is to old to learn. But I have collected some channels, with outstanding photographers, who can take some critics and are willing to explain why they did this and that or simply admit that there was an error in their story. In addition to this, 95% of the time I praise their work and let them know why in some detail they can use, cause I am not only looking for errors. Based on years of viewing, I think YOU TUBE is the place where people suffer the most of the "Dunning Kruger effect" ;-) Thanks you for your thoughts.

[@gulrik]

Takk for veldig bra video. Men hadde det ikke vært lurt å publisere videoene på din egen webside, så du har kontroll på your videocontent?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, that is absolutely right. This one is in fact, and the entire collection is being published there in 2021. overgaard.dk/the-story-behind-that-picture-0224_gb.html

[@joseftornick9964]

where are the subtitles?

[@petermsull]

Thank you for, unlike so many folks, addressing the political *without* putting your personal bias on display. I've unsubbed from many for such immature behavior. Virtue signalling is getting so very very tired.

[@harrisonkim4313]

Suddenly, an actual opinion. Quite an analog point of view. Social media institutions are in fact acting as publishing entities that popularise a set of ideas. Seems to me that you're saying that "freedom" results only from competing actively with some expressed set of ideals, while social media now blankets the field restricting the ability to compete meaningfully. The medium has corralled the message. Developing a response to this isn't going to be easy across any field of communication, from the commercial (which is also speech) to the political, which should be obligatory rather than constantly measured against some juvenile sense of orthodoxy.

[@lamannafoto]

Food for thought. However, after all is said, what is "your own platform"? I kept waiting for you to divulge that. Because, as far as I'm aware, even a person's website and URL, are still owned or governed by others, no? If you've got a solution to THAT, I'd love to hear it. Otherwise, my personal website can be taken away by Squarespace, in my case. And my URL, by GoDaddy. So, I'm confused... What is your solution?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I will have to do a video/article on that. Fundamentally, you register your own domain via for example one.com (and not Squarespace or some other platform company that "helps" you use your own domain. Unfortunately they often "hold" the domain so controlling.moving it becomes difficult). Once you register for a domain in your own name you own and control it. Then you can use it on any web hosting like one.com and create a website in HTML or such. And that is the problem for most; how to build a website. So often you go with Squarespace or other "make your own website" which allows only to use the formats they have, and it will work only as long as hey provide it. If they change stuff, you loose your website. If you want to move it, you have to build it again in another "make your own website".

[@sebastiang7183]

It's getting worse. You have services like AWS, Twilio and Mailchimp are refusing service to people due to their political beliefs. These are much more generic than social media platforms.