Change is the norm, especially in today’s high-speed, high-tech world. Segments of society strive to hold on to tradition against a constant onslaught of “everything “new”. It is an increasingly futile struggle to hold your ground with each passing year. With every new wave, clinging to your foundation in the face of change becomes increasingly difficult. And, arguably, more important. The question is how are you adapting without surrendering who you are?
As a photographer, I keep things simple. You need photographs. I make photographs. If you like what you find in my portfolio, then I may be the right photographer for you. Of course, I have my faults and am arguably weaker in certain aspects of photography than others. A great example is social media. I was a late adopter and remain someone who is decidedly not a fan. It is it’s own little world, polluted by absolutes, marketing rules, and constantly swirling standards for what is a “good” post. It is something I have found adapting to very painful. I am one-hundred percent sure you don’t care what I’m eating for breakfast and only a very few really care about the successes and failures.
Adapting to Social Media?
I have a particular dislike for social media. It begs us to believe that this or that platform will bring us all together. Our world will be better for adapting to the norms of social media. I have not found that to be true at all. Social media has proven to be a source of frustration and division for me. It borders on worthless and knocks hard on damaging’s door. I am sure we all have stories to illustrate my point.
Yes, there are people I would have never met save for social media. However, looking back on the best interactions, it was not social media that brought me together with the majority of people. Rather, it was common interests and mutual friends that did the heavy lifting. Social media may have played a part, but it was not a necessity in virtually every case. Unfortunately, so many have succumbed to social media, forgoing their small community to attempt to plug into something larger. In adapting, they lost their foundation and have become reliant on platforms they honestly cannot control.
So, how am I adapting? I’m not. I’m here to create art with you, not gauge your worth by how many thumbs and hearts are next to your posts.
On a Related Note
After I wrote the bulk of this entry, I saw a series of posts on one social media platform where things had changed. Suddenly, years and years of photographs had disappeared! Eventually, sanity prevailed and it was discovered that they had merely been moved to another place. And everyone sighed in relief. Instead, try waking up to the fact that, at any moment, the plug can still be pulled.
