Mathieu18 wrote:
So sorry to hijack, but what's everyone's thoughts on Instagram. I've never really liked it as a platform but maybe I'm doing it wrong.
I think it all depends on what you want to get from it. I use it share pics with like minded people, to raise awareness and effectively 'share the love' for the relevant subject matter (in my case Brutalist architecture, mainly Australian). It's great for that kind of thing. It's hands down my favorite social media platform.
It's also great for short video clips such as time-lapse. Recently I've been shooting short time-lapse clips in addition to shooting a normal still image.
Also, Insta' is an entirely visual medium where the pic essentially does the talking, unlike Twitter which is largely text based.
Lately it's become overrun with bots (scripts people run to automatically like, comment and follow... Then subsequently unfollow once you don't follow them back) but it's a decent way to find interesting photographers via hashtags. I can't deal with Facebook anymore - too many current events I'd rather not focus on, so it's also how I keep up with friends and family in faraway places.
Someone recently told me that websites are "out" and it's all about social media now. Don't know how true this is, but I found it reassuring because I haven't updated my website in 2 years. All this internet stuff gets overwhelming pretty quickly, and can be a diversion from being present in my immediate reality, so I don't go on there too much. #mytwocents
Mathieu18 wrote:
So sorry to hijack, but what's everyone's thoughts on Instagram. I've never really liked it as a platform but maybe I'm doing it wrong.
Remember that Instagram's days could be numbered, as there is always the next big thing around the corner. Look what happened to flickr. They ruled the world, then fell behind. Same with 500px.
FB makes being discovered hard on purpose. As someone stated, IG is owned by FaceBook. There are a lot of very smart people out there that can code, and I am sure something new will turn up in the next few years.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just updated the code and now it's possible to add your Instagram directly to your profile.
That is what makes this place amazing (well one of the reasons)! You take suggestions (or rather observations in most cases) and implement them. Thanks for the hard work!
Mathieu18 wrote:
So sorry to hijack, but what's everyone's thoughts on Instagram. I've never really liked it as a platform but maybe I'm doing it wrong.
It is pure waste of time. More suitable for fitness trainers and lifestyle sort of things than photography. The only good thing about Instagram and also Twitter is when you have it connected with your website and post actively it will help you in Google rankings.
From all social media i find only usable Facebook when you need to advertise. It is much cheaper than using Google Ads, papers, glossy mags etc.
Mathieu18 wrote:
So sorry to hijack, but what's everyone's thoughts on Instagram. I've never really liked it as a platform but maybe I'm doing it wrong.
I guess it really depends what you're after. Instagram is a business and teenage-heavy place. It's very much clique heaven. If you're easily offended that your easily better technically, composed image doesn't get more likes that some dude's ice cream cone taken with his iPhone, you may want to avoid it. There are far too many "follow you, thinking you'll follow back and when you don't they unfollow you."
Having said that, I've done some local meetups with photo people and try to support people in the CO area. It gets me some exposure. I always end up with a few more hits on my print website after posting on IG.
There's an algorithm that controls where you show up in people's feeds. Your best bet to not show up at the very bottom is to like other images, make comments on others posts and reply to others. Somewhere out there is a better explanation of what the algorithm looks for.
Thanks for the thoughts, I can do without. I don’t shoot for hire anymore so advertising is moot. And don’t really to care to post into popularity contests. I like FM because of the conversation and ability to learn from talented photogs. Keep up the good work Fred!
liftedspirit wrote:
... If you're easily offended that your easily better technically, composed image doesn't get more likes that some dude's ice cream cone taken with his iPhone, you may want to avoid it.
, soooo true. Also substitute "cleavage shot with the Clarity bumped up to 90%" or "Enormous marijuana bud" or "tricked out car" or "pretty much anything Taylor Swift posts"
These will get more likes than any of your stuff EVER will, so just grow a thick skin and go about your Art.
Mathieu18 wrote:
So sorry to hijack, but what's everyone's thoughts on Instagram. I've never really liked it as a platform but maybe I'm doing it wrong.
have friend that become a pro-photographer just by IG exposure, it is become a cheap and effective marketing tool but personally for me, I use it as a journal and sharing some of my works https://www.instagram.com/earldieta/
, soooo true. Also substitute "cleavage shot with the Clarity bumped up to 90%" or "Enormous marijuana bud" or "tricked out car" or "pretty much anything Taylor Swift posts"