Time for a change

[@JayKerr]

I never come to your channel to watch product reviews. I come here to learn about your editing workflow, for the tips, and for the entertainment. I enjoy your travel photography videos, your insight, and your approach to shooting. I know that creators have to pay bills and this generally means product reviews and sponsorships but I'm more interested in the stories and your photography.

[@ThatGuyInVegas]

I second this.

[@tomheim9516]

Agreed

[@lewisjones4158]

Your best videos are the ones where you go out into the world and talk us through your photographic process. It’s very valuable and enjoyable

[@LarryManiccia]

Wholeheartedly agree! Out in the field, explanations of comps, and storytelling is where it’s at.

[@saarin0tsorry]

Keep doing what you love and as much or little as you want. I will still be watching

[@Steck896]

I can't find the words to express how much I appreciate what you said in this video. You are a good person, before being a good photographer, your honesty and your spontaneity are invaluable to me. I am sure your content is going to be even better in the future, people like you are the reason why I still think that KZbin is worth spending my time in the effort to improve my culture and my knowledge of the art of photography. Thank you so much, Todd.

[@rickreyn9242]

Mary is a compelling human and has a unique sincere way of communicating. I started watching her since I am a musician by hobby, and I can relate. I've stuck on your channel because you are a superb communicator and adept at relating details. Most KZbinrs are careening down a road to disaster since they are feeding a beast that hogs all of the time. I work 50 hours a week filled with pressure. The rest of the time I spend with my wife, my family, and friends, and engaging in my many pursuits (photography, bass guitar, cycling, writing), which include enjoying an occasional entertaining and enriching KZbin video. I hope you can reach a good balance!

[@RobertHarvey101]

Thanks for your videos. If you just showed your weekly/monthly favorite photos as prints in your hand I would love that. Now I do know it's not cheap as well. Take care.

[@karanoia-agent]

What brought me to your channel was your series on setting up the Canon M50. I love your tutorials and photography videos. I almost never watch the product reviews. Your knowledge and love for photography is more valuable to me, that’s why I keep watching. Thanks Todd 🤍

[@ricomanila]

The look of this video is very inviting. It's relaxing and maybe I just can't explain but I love it! :) Thank you for the insight

[@markielinhart]

Presumably Mary’s creative profile led to the subsequent interest in her product review…✌️

[@davidthehudson]

I highly value your video where you take the time to explain your mental process in choosing your shot. Its been a big help in starting my photography journey.

[@davidstevenson1950]

I think you're making the right choice. There are already more than sufficient product review channels on KZbin.

[@JayAYap]

Honestly, my favorite product that you have reviewed was your own Keeler book. And it has been the only one that I actually purchased (and btw I love it). I enjoy your other reviews too, but more from the thoughtfulness of the review than the products themself. I think your videos will be great no matter what direction you take. In my mind, the more passion you put into a project, the more engaging the content will be. So go for it. I think most people will be like me, and gladly appreciate the results.

[@josecavazos1194]

I stumbled into your channel because of your Ninja V how to videos, and subscribed because of your other content. I am a Nigel fan, and every Sunday for a couple of years, I was looking forward to learning about his journey. That was part of my Sunday routine...

[@samuel.e.glover]

You know I really have appreciated the reviews you have made, they helped me with some expensive products and how they may be able to work for me. Having an honest review can be important so people buy things that are really helpful to what they are trying to do.

[@mondujar279]

Thanks for your honesty and openness Todd. I appreciate your videos because of that and to try to improve my understanding of photography and the process. I also check out product reviews when I’m buying something so I consume both types. I guess we all do. When it comes down to it I guess the phrase be true to yourself fits nicely

[@kerrygrim7934]

I am a fairly new subscriber. I enjoy your reviews, but, what I really enjoy most is watching landscape photography on location. Seeing videos from Utah was great..sharing your experiences in the outdoors cannot be beat!

[@VELVET462]

i would love to watch a video about you showing exactly how and with what gear you record, edit, color grade one Full Video from start to finish! Love the quality, saturated colors style and everything

[@cpprki]

Excited to watch videos about more you as a photographer, your work, etc. Here to learn, be inspired and feel more apart of a photography community.

[@stemac67]

Hi Todd, you aren't the only one in this position. Over the last twelve months I have heard of several photographers speaking those same words you are speaking. Sort of at cross roads I guess. I do enjoy seeing the adventures photographers go on(yourself included of course)and their workflow etc.

[@SebastianBevanPhotography]

KZbin, the beast we love, luv your channel Todd

[@KellyPettit]

I'm so happy you didn't decide to cancel your channel. I like all your videos. I use a Canon R5 and that's how I first found you so I guess the product reviews can still be useful providing you have interest in them. Can you send that e-bike my way? :P. Looking forward to what you share here forward. Thanks for your Channel, Todd.

[@adamclarke3310]

I really appreciate your videos on location , about post processing and you’ve been a great resource for printing too which often is glossed over. Sorely regretted not jumping on the zine you put out fast enough too! Your on location videos are a great combination of videography, photography content with layer of calm and genuinely useful insight on how you’re approaching the landscape. In short this announcement is great news!

[@todddrew1192]

I enjoy your reviews and thoughts on camera's and equipment.. I would like to see a NEW video on using the Canon R5 using the Ninja. since the new firmware on the R5. Would like to hear your best setting to record onto the monitor.. Thanks Todd..

[@flyingo]

I’ve been a fan of Mary’s for a few years now, but I never expected or thought that KZbinrs were in it for the ad revenue.. I mean, how lucrative could it really be? I equate KZbin to public access television of days gone by - not for profit expressions of ideas and beliefs by individuals. There’s no money in it, but there is great potential to be heard and possibly help viewers. I’ll continue to watch your channel as I find you to be a very pleasant and knowledgeable person in your field. I’m not the type to be influenced about products in review videos unless I’m specifically interested in purchasing the type of item(s) being discussed, so fewer product review videos mean more content about the craft of photography, thanks to you.

[@markroberts6971]

Good choice. We are all “spending” our life in ways that diverge from our path of our learned skills and passion, and we never get those days back. I too come to your channel to learn from you, when you choose to share your insights, knowledge, and wisdom.

[@Camedia74]

I really enjoy your travel photography vlogs. I often watch them multiple times. It's very helpful to see how you prepare, scout and then think about a shot. I will say I also really found your canon gear reviews super helpful as well (suspect a lot of your fan's shoot canon as well). It would be interesting to see more about your creative life - how you find inspiration, put bread on the table, balance family life...etc. Appreciate the honesty and vulnerability - look forward to your future content!

[@EricandSarah]

Love your videos, Todd. Just make what makes sense to you. Another big part is understanding that at this point in your KZbin career, the more selective you are with brands, the more leverage you have in making those deals more desirable (in both a monetary and a creative sense). Easy to get wrapped up in producing things quickly, often because it means you can earn more, faster. But if it means your inspiration and production is lacking, then it's never worth it in the end. Not to mention that in a supply and demand sense, you may earn more by having less videos to fill with sponsorships. Keep it up - can't wait to see more ✌

[@mattjpnw]

my favorite videos of yours are the on location photography content. hope to see more of those!

[@huffbrau]

I really appreciate the honesty and heartfelt approach that you put into this video. I see so many videos of photographers who have crossed the line to become really nothing more than paid pitch people for products, that perhaps were actually good photographers at one time, but shill now for the money, not the art. Thanks for staying true and saying the hard thing...at least to this point!

[@gerald1964]

Back in the 1980s, my uncle and my father to a lesser extent did computer related product reviews which would appear in publications like Computer Shopper. They would also receive requests from product manufactures to perform reviews of the products that they sold. In return for doing a review, my uncle often did not need to return the item that he reviewed. He accumulated a lot of junk. That was his reward for doing reviews.

[@markwhitesell4491]

Todd - I come to your channel to watch and learn about your approach to photography which I find interesting and refreshing. I purchased your "Keeler" zine for the same reason - and I wanted to see your work in print. I can and do go elsewhere for product reviews unless there is a specific product that you highlight that makes a real difference in what you do or how you do it So, I agree with most other commenters I've read in your feed, that you have definitely made the right directional choice. I would have been deeply disappointed had you actually reviewed an eBike! Looking forward to future videos from you - no pressure, though, just videos from your heart about your photography.

[@-austinsmith]

Great thoughts! It can be really hard to find that balance of feeding the algorithm and internal creative fulfillment/ purpose.

[@jasongastelum1675]

I'm glad you reached the conclusion you did.

[@malcolmmacgregor6222]

I have found your product reviews very helpful - followed your advice about promediagear. I totally understand where you are coming from though. What would be interesting would be to hear more about your approach to photography and how you set about projects and trips. Thanks

[@andycakebread7663]

Todd - stay authentic, find the balance. Those that matter will still be here. We enjoy you and if you were in the pub being you I'd enjoy your company and stand you a beer 🍻

[@albertphillips447]

You should have reviewed the E-bike, it sounds like it might make a pretty good accessory to add to my camera gear.

[@cre8tivexchange]

Bro I cleared $360k last year as a creative director. I work 35 hours a week, no weekends, no calls after 5pm. You ppl don’t have a clue, focus on your families and children and if don’t have children, create them. None of this will mean anything in the near future. Advice given to me when I was 22 at Stanford by a Microsoft Billionaire. Think about that for a minute.

[@mphilosophy]

Todd, I subscribed your channel couple years ago of one product review (a camera gear of course), but as a content creator, thanks for sharing this, I have same thought, just follow your heart and do the video you like, people still appreciate that. I enjoy watching your video, not just product review.

[@BeauHannamGuitars]

It is SOOOO frustrating when I upload a quick "nothing" video short on Instagram and it gets millions of views over an edited "masterpiece" that gets 500 views... You just gotta laugh.

[@michaeljohannsen4872]

It’s Great to see you’re not become a sell-out ❤ Lots of love

[@onfrancemusic]

bro; since I discovered your channel I love it; I think you should do what makes you feel good; with yourself. Anything more is a complement of life. 😉🐝

[@Luigi13]

It is good to reflect from time to time and see what it is that drives you to make a video, and unless it is something you enjoy then as you mentioned becomes an obligation and a financial need. Unfortunately for survival it is better to diversify anyway, but you touched on an important point TIME. Yes when we were young we didn't think of time and its value we simply did what we do and aim to getting what we dream of doing. But when time passed you by just for making money and perhaps not enjoying living then it definitely becomes a reason to evaluate the two. I understand one thing that everything has to be done in balance and what serves you the most. I like your photography video for sure, cheers.

[@shawnchenco]

Great video. I can't say I feel the pressure you do but I can relate to the time doing what you enjoy part. I always prefer unsponsored or passion project videos more as you can tell someone really loves something vs doing it for the job. Keep doing you Todd, it's the reason why I subscribed. 👍

[@genesteele8448]

Do what makes you happy !! I like your channel and your videos when your out shooting photographs or editing .

[@marianogringaus]

great point!!!!! ❤

[@thirdmort]

I found your channel through a product review but honestly, the thing that has kept me coming back are the videos of you going out and shooting. I hope you can find a balance that works for you!

[@jhcassidy]

I subscribed to your channel today because of this video. I would rather learn how you create and edit photos than the gear you use... your vision and process more than your tools. I would rather hear Mary's music and what inspired her rather the the guitar she played.

[@davidcox2499]

I always check in on your channel and would do so even if you only posted monthly. I have been waiting months for another one from Morton Hilmer. And BTW, I did get the Shimoda urban explorer based on your review. Thanks.

[@DarrenRussinger]

Great video Todd! And i prefer to see you out shooting than reviewing

[@ofthenearfuture]

There seems to be a real upheaval right now with creatives on youtube... whether that's retiring, or just changing up how they do things to no longer cater to the algorithm or 'trends' that have been successful in the past. Or just getting out of the grind and what's expected, and back into the love of their passion that started everything in the first place. I think it's a scary and hard thing to do, but I hope it brings you more joy in what you're doing, whether in your personal life or on youtube, and thus more videos you're proud of. Looking forward to what comes next!

[@Ricardo-SW]

An increasingly common thought. Just saw the Van Life "Go Small Live Large" guy saying he needed to take a 4 month hiatus for his sanity.

[@pahountisg]

why not? Just keep it honest and go for it! Marquese Brownlee ( hope I did not butcher the name ) he does that and I still respect him highly

[@herrnerdmeyer3638]

I love Mary Spender so much. It's funny how two completely different people can share an interest.

[@harrisonmartin291]

Keep doing you. I like gear talk as much as the next person but I want more Todd (not burned out).

[@hotlineoperator]

Companies monitor statistics and data that guide operations. They produce what is in demand and produces results. A hobby is a different matter, one definition of a hobby is that it stops being a hobby when it generates income. Some is a special messaging platform, when you post something factual you don't get reactions - when you post entertainment or something random, you get a lot of feedback.

[@TedNemeth]

Todd been a fan of your channel for about 2 year. I’m not even a photographer (I’m a drone cinematographer on youtube). But I always get value from your episodes. I think I’m also trying to emulate your onscreen mannerisms a bit? Man I TOTALY know what you mean about not doing gear reviews. It’s the easy clicks but….not the type of content I want to be my leagacy.

[@chuckgmanleyphotos7197]

Your in the field (specifically SW) are interesting to watch from taking a photo to at home. Seeing light,how to capture and process really are more important attributes than the other topics. The what pros know, you don’t, do this instead of that, etc. topics target a specific audience. I get why the topics are common as everyone needs to get paid for their effort. The other side is that if you don’t keep feeding Google and other social media your content is no longer seen. Thanks for your thoughtful well detailed content.

[@alanp253]

Yep. Reviews is it. I find your channel more enjoyable then others because you do LESS promoting and monetizing then others. I watch YOU for photography. If I want a review I Google the item and watch whoever pops up.

[@PMCN53]

A good and thoughtful session Todd. I too have followed that very talented Mary Spender over the years. Mary is an intelligent and talented musician. She bravely has forged her own path in the music world,not becoming a victim of the industry that can just swallow up and destroy such great talent. You tube can be part of the problem, but if you are wise enough to use the medium for your own advantage, it can be a way to reach many more interested people. Your channel for instance is unique to you and your approach to photography. Keep up the great work!! Cheers from Australia.

[@mikebroesel]

I would like to see a normal video cycle for creaters to be every 2 weeks, instead weekly. This would be a win win for everybody, as the quality could only go up. And if someone wants to watch more video content, then there are always more creaters out there with a different take on things to choose from.

[@iuliantimar]

proud of your decision and reflections! great quality in everything you do, much appreciated Todd! keep being yourself and do only what you love doing!

[@thecandidframe]

Thanks for sharing this, Todd. I've also waffled about creating a greater KZbin presence, believing it would help the podcast. However, I've been deterred by the learning curve and the time involved in producing content to serve the algorithm and justify all that effort. I have seen many people, like the musician you mentioned, beginning a channel to share creativity and process, only to dedicate time and energy to product reviews because it is needed to feed the beast. When it comes to relying on revenue from a channel for livelihood, it becomes all the harder to resist the temptation to dedicate effort to creating a product review that will bring in the numbers. I wouldn't have hesitated to do this when I was younger and starting out. I am unwilling to use my days to chase that particular dragon. I wish you the best in deciding what is best for you and your channel. I appreciate the work you do and am grateful for your presence online. BTW, loved the book.

[@LensForgotten]

As a new channel creator myself that does photography videos, the algorithm with small channels don't get much exposure unless you do some videos the algorithm wants and those videos may not be "passionate" videos for a creator to make. Thats the challenge for new channels.

[@dvcardona]

Es muy inspirador todo lo que compartes. Prefiero que vayas a tú ritmo y compartiendo lo que más te gusta.

[@macimages4215]

Great commentary on time. Was the same way in my 20’s and 30’s…time of infinite. But now pushing 60 I’m realizing that it’s not. Do what makes you happy and maybe one day we’ll bump into each other since we seem to take images in very similar places.

[@chriscard6544]

you are the only big youtuber I watch because, I like your approach of photography. But mainly I watch tiny channels about film photography and large format cameras.

[@Original_Old_Farmer]

You missed a good opportunity with the E-bike. You could have used it to go places you normally wouldn't go for photos. And along the way with espousing your wisdom you could talk about how the bike helped you find some unique shots and how the bike needed to be dependable for doing so. Of course, that means the bike isn't crap. Don't be afraid to bring in uniqus doo-dads that help with photography that is not actually photography. It would still be a photography video, but with unusual things that help you out in the field. Good video. Be safe.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Very well said! I have decided to start doing videos for myself too in addition to ones that do well. I have learned a lot from your reviews btw

[@juanenco]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@throughmylens3530]

I think you made the right choice

[@rickbiessman6084]

Todd, I love this. I watch your videos because I love both your photography as well as how you teach about photography. So when a new video comes out, I’m excited to watch it. I don’t care about the schedule as in: sure, more is better I guess. But only to the degree that it’s what _you’re_ excited about. So I’d rather wait for a new video. This goes for all the channels I follow closely. Quality over quantity. ALWAYS. And this topic seems to have been on a lot of youtubers’ minds. Gerald Undone posted a pretty frustrated, off-the-cuff like a year or two ago. Matti Haapoja has retreated from KZbin. And I’m sure a lot of other people have as well. The people who have been making good reviews for years now are at a huge risk of getting burned out by the sameness of it all. It’s good that reviews exist, no doubt about it! But seems to me like the photo/video youtube community has gotten tired of this stuff and is yearning to get back to more creative content. Which I think will only benefit us all - both the people who create as well as the viewers. Personally, I’m pretty happy to watch fewer tech reviews and get more inspiration instead. ...which is something that you provide on SUCH a high level.

[@peterkumble4093]

thanks Todd, I get it. Time... try being a uni professor and see how it evaporates each day.

[@el0blaino]

I feel pressure - as a watcher of KZbin channels! It is like the tip economy meets potential-loss-hurts-more-than-potential-gain-rewards .. I feel I want to support creators I like such as yourself, Todd, - but then, after all that watching, I have spent no time creating! How can I engage on my terms instead of surrendering my attention and time because of an algorithm ?

[@SteveKleinheider]

Perhaps photography from the seat of an E-bike...I'm sure you could make it work! :)

[@WarzechaSoftWorks]

I don't mind for some product reviews but watching videoa where you're getting out and actualy doing and showing the process is much more fun to watch for me. I guess the reviews are so popular because buying gear is very expensive and the are almost no places to check them out before buying them. Almost everybody buys their stuff online and sending it back is not the solution.

[@futureexperience]

I didn’t watch your videos for product reviews and instructions valued your in the field experiences photographing locations.

[@warrengh5647]

We live in very materialistic world were EVERYTHING seems to have a cost so we must charge for those things, make more money, its like a bloody religion (sorry about the profanity but it is necessary ) which must grow ! A photographer here in the UK was also offered a e-bike for review and he accepted and it was a great review. He has no interest in cycling but thought why not? Here's a thought, why not half the amount of advertising ? If you don't see/hear about it you probably don't need it. Great video and I thank you.

[@billj5645]

I have a lot of experience with road bikes and mountain bikes, none with e-bikes, but an e-bike might be useful to you in some of the wilderness areas where you go. That doesn't mean you have to review them on your channel.

[@thomaspopple2291]

I have unsubscribed from many channels because of product reviews. I really enjoy photography channels that are about shooting. Going in the field. Describing what and why something catches the photographers eye. Etc. It seems like most photography channels are just long commercials for products. The funny thing is that these products are getting a huge discount by turning your channel/video into a commercial for them. It's a scam. I love your in the field videos and am fine with less videos if it means more of that type of great content.

[@LarryManiccia]

To Mary one out of sixty some samples is what we call an outlier in the engineering world. I wouldn’t change the whole emphasis of a channel based on a potential one hit wonder video. Even if you try a few more product review videos and it works the real question for Mary would be is the money worth it to make videos you’re not excited about? In the end I say find what you love to do and be so good at it the views and dollars come along with it.

[@hippodackl1521]

To me what matters most is how you handle challenges in the context of professional photography, be it in the field or in post-processing or decisions and work ethics related to your business. Product reviews are ok and may be an important anchor for acquiring new subscribers, but that stuff is so exchangeable. What about your work philosophy, black & white photography, ways of how to get from rookie to amateur? How do you improve? What about reflecting Feiningers work in a mirrorless world? I wouldn't take the effort to cover anything that would turn outdated within a 3 years' timeframe. You have a way with telling stories, your production quality is top notch. We could learn a lot more from you as a person and professional photographer. Then again, if you perceive YT as a burden, do yourself a favour and get rid off it immediately before reviewing that e-bike.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Yeah man :) Great Video, super refreshing… I think your on the right path :)

[@CesarLeite]

What about sections? Pete McKinnon used to have the "2 minute tuesday" or wathever the name, so we knew that those videos would be tuts...I don´t know...in a way organize it and make less of a guilty thing...make sense? You have to have fun and also pay the bills...all of us :-D ... Love the channel.

[@armondobbabone8556]

The question really comes down to choice: Do you have something to say or do you want to become part of the Home Shopping Network (HSN) ?

[@gregfisher216]

Pursue your passion Todd!!!!

[@ashvarma2486]

Good decision but perhaps consider reviewing products that you absolutely love and use.

[@MrAyrit]

More eBikes! I kid, but I hear ya. It’s super fun to review great products that you are excited about, hard to review the duds.

[@J5388T]

Good for you and less is more!

[@mstrathmore]

Hey Todd, really interesting comments. I "missed" the KZbin heyday, despite being into phography for a long time (like, "I remember the smell of fresh Velvia in my Canon EOS50e" long) and always being on the cusp of tech etc. It's frustrating becuase I know I *could* have "done" KZbin, but for a million poor reasons didn't. C'est la vie. My observation is that the "product review" KZbin fodder is precisely what gave many KZbin creators the full or partial independence they needed from a full time job, freeing them up to pursue the creative things that they'd prefer to do. Is it possible that in the KZbin world you can only have one if you endure the other? If 66 videos about your passion only gains you half of one video about something arbitrary, should one stop doing the 66 or the 1? And if you didn't do the 1, would $90 per video be worth your time, even if it was your passion? These are actually quesitons (which given they're in a YT comment I don't really expect answers to) but I'm asking them becuase it seems that just as I want to climb onto the YT bandwagon, every creator I follow is making a video about getting out of it or ratcheting down.

[@darylwilson6867]

Quality and authenticity and joy overall else!

[@gameshoes]

Product reviews and showcases are the best videos for advertisers. People looking for reviews are shoppers that are ready to spend money. And these are the people that actually interact with an advertisement and click on it. After all, it is those clicks that drives the monetization on KZbin. I can't blame you if you want to make a product review video. In order to make the same money with educational or entertainment videos, you have to have a massive viewer count. But in order to make a video that can garner such attention, you're likely putting down a lot of time and capital. It's a gamble. And that's why some of the larger camera KZbin people gave up on making such videos and just stick to product reviews now. You can still watch those videos where they tried to make not-product-review stuff but those videos obviously did not bring in the money. The most ideal thing would be for you to sell your artwork to the viewers. But you might find yourself in a tricky spot because you need to attract viewers who want to buy your art, and that might not be your current audience. Anyway, making money on an advertisement driven platform is tricky. I hope you find your way. And hopefully the fraction of a penny my KZbin Premium subscription contributes does something for you.

[@_jbflickz]

those millions only care about that guitar the real fans are the ones watching her singing videos

[@davemenard5089]

The irony of a consumer society being consumed by consumption. Being caught in a World Wide Web. Being connected but not

[@chriscard6544]

so true

[@Therealstubetube]

I would have helped you with the e-bike review…. Can’t stop until 100k subs!

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

When I follow YT-photo channels like yours, I often think - What is this guy actually doing for a living? Is he a full time photographer? and if so, why isn't he to a higher degree promoting his own products, instead of promoting other's via reviews? And if he/her isn't able to make a living of photography, YT must be paying good for what he's doing, and otherwise he's hiding his bread and butter activity. In other words, can you exist from being a youtuber, e.g. at your level (which I consider to be a typical photo channel in the more stylistic and cultivated end of the spectrum), and if not - then are your eating in on the family fortune, or working as a pianist during the dark hours, or... ? You have been honest in explaining a part of the problem, which seems to be a question of survival, so could you provide me with an explanation of how all these typical content creators within the photographing segment of YT actually manage to survive? For a solo person it seems possible, but with a family of three or four, you have to be really good with the camera and be ready to work around the clock. Personally I tried and failed and from early on had to take work in the private sector as an IT system constructor, while photography became a supplement.

[@chriscard6544]

I used to work as a photographer for great newspapers, but I could never live from it, Now I work in IT security and I can afford all cameras.

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

@@chriscard6544 That would be the natural choise for people who have to earn their own money. But sometimes watching certain photo content creators here on YT I get the impression that they receive economical support from being members of a certain community. They are partly supported from family fortunes inherited in advance, partly from easily available productional, promotional and other facilitating channels, which makes it relatively easy for them to create and sell books and images and promote themselves and their products. This is due to a policy, geopoliticly, where this specific community collectively wants to dominate the social media interfaces with their members, and due to rules still being indoctrinated about being superior with an obligation to teach others. We can repeatedly watch the same lesson be repeated by everybody running those channels. In one instance, and still here on YT, a now well known landscape photographer with about 100k supporters - over night got half a million supporters and even boasted about it. How would that be possible without a system fraudolently feeding the system with supporters - and! without YT reacting and zeroing out the false number? This specific community historically has had its tentacles in everywhere in order to control and dominate and in those cases even averagely gifted landscape photographers are being kept alive because they are elevated above natural competition.

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

@@chriscard6544 It would be interesting to see what Todd Dominey is doing for a living. But apparently his statement is a one way message. Just watch and enjoy.

[@TC_Conner]

I'm late to the game of this algorythm centered KZbin channel entanglement. I have a litlle over 600 subscribers and my channel is mostly about photography. But I want to incorportate my music too. It's a dilemma. (What are your views on the e-bike? I'm considering one for me and one for my wife.)

[@RobPTK]

I'm probably not the typical youtube viewer, but I watch you because I like your personality and insight into photography. I would have watched an eBike review for sure if it was tied to the rest of your content somehow. Like a photo trip or something. It probably would have been pretty entertaining. I'll never criticize a creator for accepting a sponsorship or earning a paycheck as long as they are open about it, and if you put your own spin on the content then that's even better. Besides, if it truly didn't interest me, I wouldn't watch.

[@Seanonyoutube]

Damnit bro I’ve been dying for you to review an e bike!

[@muralibalaraman]

It’s human psychology, if you have a great camera you can take nice photos but taking classes to improve your photography is a very long boring, painful process, which many fall out of favor with. I know a lot of people will defend doing creative videos but the shiny toy always attracts

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

You bring up a good point, but there's a fairly obvious angle you gloss over I think. Many people start their channels based on their passion...sort of as a hobby and/or content consistent with their personal beliefs or values. But as their channel grows in popularity, subscribers and views grow, and then ad revenue increases, they realize the business opportunity in front of them. How many photographers have a hobby that turns into a part-time gig, then turns into a full-time job once they realize their skills and market demand present that opportunity. So because of that, once a "creator" starts doing product reviews and other promos...that's an indication (most likely) that their channel now represents a business to them rather than a creative or artistic outlet. If it's both, great, but at some point business is about meeting market demand/expectations, and is about making money. That's the point I think you gloss over a bit...the emotional dilemma between what you like, and what pays you... Most people who have "jobs" recognize this reality of life.