Why no one cares about your Photography (feat. @SimonBaxterPhotography )

Sean Tucker
12 Nov 202315:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video discusses why simpler, flashier images often get more attention online than more nuanced, mature work. It suggests most interactions come from photography beginners seeking inspiration. Mature work requires confidently embracing nuance and depth, even if less immediately popular. This parallels the difference between superficial personality and deeper character. Less online attention could signal our growth as artists rather than losing our touch. We must contextualize online responses and stay committed to building meaningful work.

Takeaways
  • 😊 Most of the feedback and interaction with your creative work online comes from beginners, not experts.
  • 😮 Simplistic images that use flashy techniques often get more attention than nuanced, complex images representing creative growth.
  • 🤔 Online attention is not always an accurate measure of the quality or meaningfulness of your creative work.
  • 💡 Lack of online attention for your work could actually signal forward progress and maturity rather than losing your creative touch.
  • 😌 Quieter, more nuanced work appeals to seasoned creatives but often gets overlooked online in favor of louder, simpler pieces.
  • 🎯 As you progress, move beyond beginner techniques to build more depth, character and meaning into your work.
  • ⏱️ Personality is often flashy and attention-seeking in the short term, while character has more depth and meaning but is quieter.
  • 😕 The beginner mentality online could encourage creators to keep making simplistic work forever rather than pushing themselves to grow.
  • 🤝 Connect with other seasoned creatives to share and discuss more nuanced work rather than only beginners online.
  • ☺️ Less online attention for mature work is okay - stay confident in your creative vision and keep developing it meaningfully.
Q & A
  • Why do beginner photographers tend to engage more with simplistic images online?

    -The script suggests that beginner photographers make up a large portion of the audience interacting with images online. They are drawn to simplistic images that showcase easily repeatable techniques they are trying to learn.

  • Why might more nuanced images from mature photographers get overlooked online?

    -The script argues that the short attention span and beginner-heavy audience of social media tends to overlook nuanced work in favor of simplistic attention-grabbing images.

  • What does the analogy about personality versus character suggest about the type of photographic work that gets attention online?

    -The script draws an analogy between personality, which is flashy and attention-grabbing, and simplistic photographic images that grab attention online versus more nuanced work with greater character that reflects growth as an artist.

  • What is the risk of catering to beginners with simplistic images?

    -The risk is that the photographer may continue creating simplistic work indefinitely rather than pushing themselves creatively and developing more meaningful, nuanced work.

  • Why might receiving less attention for their work actually signal growth for a photographer?

    -If a photographer's work garners less attention over time as it becomes more nuanced, it may indicate that it has matured past what appeals to beginners and social media algorithms to work with more depth.

  • What types of images seem to do well on social media?

    -According to the script, images that are graphically striking, have a clear singular subject, and showcase an easily repeatable technique or effect tend to draw a lot of attention and engagement on social media.

  • Why does the script suggest photographers should contextualize online feedback?

    -The script argues that understanding the beginner-heavy audience of social media can help photographers put simplistic metrics like likes and comments in context rather than letting it overly influence their creative direction.

  • What does the quote about "speaking for the trees" suggest about Baxter's photographic motivation?

    -It suggests Baxter strives to capture the true essence and character of the woodlands he photographs rather than just visually striking trees.

  • What publishing approach does Baxter suggest for more nuanced work?

    -Baxter suggests saving nuanced images for contexts like exhibitions or books where viewers are more inclined to spend time appreciating subtle details rather than fast-scrolling social media feeds.

  • How might confidence impact a photographer's creative growth?

    -The script argues that confidence allows photographers to take more creative risks and stick to their own vision rather than second-guessing themselves based on online feedback.

Outlines
00:00
😊 Sponsorship Message

The first paragraph is a sponsorship message for Squarespace, highlighting their website building and ecommerce services. It encourages viewers to start a free trial to build a website or online store.

05:02
😕 Why Simple Images Get More Attention

The second paragraph discusses why beginner photographers' simple images often get more online attention than mature photographers' complex works. It notes social media is dominated by other beginners, who relate more to basic images as they learn.

10:05
😃 Personality vs. Character in Art

The third paragraph draws an analogy between personality and character in humans to simple, attention-grabbing art versus deeper, more mature creations. It suggests social media rewards shallow personality more than nuanced character.

15:08
🎵 Outro Music

The fourth paragraph simply contains outro music, signaling the end of the main script.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡beginners
The narrator refers to beginners several times to make the point that most of the likes, comments, and interactions with creative work online comes from beginners or hobbyists rather than seasoned professionals. He argues that catering creative work to please beginners online risks limiting growth and maturity as an artist.
💡growth
A core theme of the video is artistic growth over time versus stagnation by continuing to produce work aimed at garnering attention from beginners. The narrator advocates for embracing growth and depth even if it means less immediate attention.
💡depth
Along with growth, the narrator argues for building more depth and nuance into creative work over time, even if it appeals less to beginners who tend to prefer flashy, attention-grabbing pieces.
💡character
The narrator relates depth in creative work to Susan Cain's concept of character versus personality. Depth and nuance reflects character while flashy, attention-seeking work reflects a more superficial personality.
💡maturity
Maturity refers to the advanced development of an artist's skills and perspectives. The narrator argues that catering to beginners can limit maturity in favor of stagnation.
💡complex
The narrator advocates for embracing more complexity and nuance in creative work as a sign of growth, even if it draws less immediate attention than flashy, simplistic pieces.
💡context
The narrator argues for putting online interactions around creative work into context - recognizing that engagement often comes mostly from beginners and hobbyists rather than advanced critics.
💡experimentation
The message seems to be to value artistic experimentation and risk-taking inherent in pursuing growth over stagnation by replicating proven attention-getting pieces.
💡reflection
The narrator advocates reflective analysis of one's creative journey rather than reaction to or discouragement by lack of online affirmation.
💡process
The video emphasizes creativity as a long-term process of maturation versus a focus on individual attention-grabbing products.
Highlights

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace for domain, website, or online store needs.

Discussion on why images that signify growth in photography don't get attention online.

Theory shared on staying on track with growth as a photographer or artist.

Observation that online interactions on creative output are mostly from beginners.

Point that more beginners exist in any art form than mature artists.

Mature photographers have less time for social media interaction.

Feedback online mostly comes from beginners or hobbyists.

Explanation of why simplistic images get more attention online.

Discussion with Simon Baxter about how similar patterns affect Woodland photography.

Insight into creating images with depth and meaning versus seeking immediate attention.

The impact of social media on the perceived success of more complex versus simple images.

Importance of confidence and growth in photography.

The dilemma of posting work online and its influence on creative growth.

Analogy between character and personality in humans and depth in photography.

Encouragement to pursue depth and meaning in work, despite less online attention.

Highlighting the significance of Squarespace for easy and professional website creation.

Transcripts
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