Once again I find myself thinking "Geez, Anna, get out of my brain!"
I comment, but not excessively; I generally have to REALLY like something, and then I try to keep my comments on the topic of what caught my eye.
My biggest problem is "reply guilt", feeling the need to respond to comments left on my images. I am genuinely appreciative when someone takes the time to comment. [And yet, I don't feel slighted when my comments aren't acknowledged...]
I didn't even think about "reply guilt" but I suffer it as well. I feel a written comment deserves a "thanks" in return and an emoji comment gets a heart acknowledgement.
But I'm forcing it. Huh, something to think about. Thanks!
Dec 4, 2023·edited Dec 4, 2023Liked by Four Bricks Tall
Brilliant article, I fall into the trap where I care too much about likes and follows which leads to purchases to impress but then u fall short of likes so then this becomes a vicious cycle.
May I ask what lens and camera choice you opt for with these types of shots? My lego shots are no where near this level but I'd like to know if it's the lens choice or not as you seem to have great depth of field with a nice wide view. I'm gonna guess possibly a 60mm macro? Superb shots btw!!
That's essentially the whole problem and the premise of this year's batch of essays: photographers forgot why they take photos because they are blinded by engagement metrics.
And I'll be writing about that topic next year! Already in my draft list.
It's hard for us to stay focused because we are juggling two hobbies and both cost money.
I used to be a portrait photographer in Brooklyn, and it's the same: we're always looking for interesting people to take photos of. FOMO when Comic Con or Santa Con is in town because cosplayers and drunk Santas, need I say more? 🤣
Haha totally get that mate! Photography is such an expensive hobby, I've dabbled with portraiture and love comic con trips but don't seem to get enough time for it all when u got a full time job and 3 kids all with after school clubs etc and football games and practice at the weekends. Not enough hours in the day!
I was relatively active on the LEGO side of Flickr from around 2006-2012ish, but the platform and the community seem to have changed a lot since then. Would you ever consider writing a guide to getting started and/or restarted there as a LEGO creator?
I am planning to write a guide on Flickr for LEGO photographers, builders, artists, etc. That was supposed to be part of this month's topic-- 80% of people voted for a topic about where to share now.
Except I realized with that entitled comment (and other behaviors, for that matter) that lots of Instagrammers might just come over and ruin these spaces for the rest of us.
So I will think about some kind of guide but only for the super interested and demonstrably prepared in terms of mindset and expectations. I don't know if a newsletter that goes out to 300+ people and shared to many more is the place.
I've seen Instagrammers port over to Tumblr and it was pitiful seeing the hashtags and follow me pleas. Safe to say I am wary.
Thank you Anna for the feature! Great post. I feel the same way about Instagram. Usually I'm just scrolling through it because I'm bored. The photos are too small to really enjoy, so I rarely comment. Like you, I usually keep in touch with people through DM's. One of the things I really like about Flickr is that some of us have been there a long time commenting on each others photos and it feels nice to have "known" these people for over 10 years. It feels like a real community.
Yes! It's nice when people do tributes (I did with Carrie Fisher) but it becomes hard to know who is doing an honest tribute and who is just jumping on a trending topic.
Once again I find myself thinking "Geez, Anna, get out of my brain!"
I comment, but not excessively; I generally have to REALLY like something, and then I try to keep my comments on the topic of what caught my eye.
My biggest problem is "reply guilt", feeling the need to respond to comments left on my images. I am genuinely appreciative when someone takes the time to comment. [And yet, I don't feel slighted when my comments aren't acknowledged...]
I didn't even think about "reply guilt" but I suffer it as well. I feel a written comment deserves a "thanks" in return and an emoji comment gets a heart acknowledgement.
But I'm forcing it. Huh, something to think about. Thanks!
Brilliant article, I fall into the trap where I care too much about likes and follows which leads to purchases to impress but then u fall short of likes so then this becomes a vicious cycle.
May I ask what lens and camera choice you opt for with these types of shots? My lego shots are no where near this level but I'd like to know if it's the lens choice or not as you seem to have great depth of field with a nice wide view. I'm gonna guess possibly a 60mm macro? Superb shots btw!!
That's essentially the whole problem and the premise of this year's batch of essays: photographers forgot why they take photos because they are blinded by engagement metrics.
As for my lenses, I have articles and a YouTube channel about gear and workflow. Here's one (long but comprehensive): https://fourbrickstall.com/my-lego-toy-photography-workflow/
Didn't realise my profile wasn't setup apologies. Sorted it out now. I'm not a bother I promise haha
Wow! That's a lot of great info. I shall read this after work later! Thanks.
I find myself looking for figures, sets etc more than I should, when I should be concentrating on setups. FOMO (fear of missing out) is very real.
And I'll be writing about that topic next year! Already in my draft list.
It's hard for us to stay focused because we are juggling two hobbies and both cost money.
I used to be a portrait photographer in Brooklyn, and it's the same: we're always looking for interesting people to take photos of. FOMO when Comic Con or Santa Con is in town because cosplayers and drunk Santas, need I say more? 🤣
Haha totally get that mate! Photography is such an expensive hobby, I've dabbled with portraiture and love comic con trips but don't seem to get enough time for it all when u got a full time job and 3 kids all with after school clubs etc and football games and practice at the weekends. Not enough hours in the day!
I was relatively active on the LEGO side of Flickr from around 2006-2012ish, but the platform and the community seem to have changed a lot since then. Would you ever consider writing a guide to getting started and/or restarted there as a LEGO creator?
I am planning to write a guide on Flickr for LEGO photographers, builders, artists, etc. That was supposed to be part of this month's topic-- 80% of people voted for a topic about where to share now.
Except I realized with that entitled comment (and other behaviors, for that matter) that lots of Instagrammers might just come over and ruin these spaces for the rest of us.
So I will think about some kind of guide but only for the super interested and demonstrably prepared in terms of mindset and expectations. I don't know if a newsletter that goes out to 300+ people and shared to many more is the place.
I've seen Instagrammers port over to Tumblr and it was pitiful seeing the hashtags and follow me pleas. Safe to say I am wary.
Thank you Anna for the feature! Great post. I feel the same way about Instagram. Usually I'm just scrolling through it because I'm bored. The photos are too small to really enjoy, so I rarely comment. Like you, I usually keep in touch with people through DM's. One of the things I really like about Flickr is that some of us have been there a long time commenting on each others photos and it feels nice to have "known" these people for over 10 years. It feels like a real community.
Thanks Lynn!
I feel similarly about Flickr and have a lot of affinity for it. I "know" the people there.
I also trust that they are doing their own thing and for themselves. I won't see photos designed for traction.
I almost feel like on Instagram, a celebrity death is a creative prompt. Know what I mean?
Yes! It's nice when people do tributes (I did with Carrie Fisher) but it becomes hard to know who is doing an honest tribute and who is just jumping on a trending topic.
I see people being earnest for the most part of Flickr. I am super skeptical of intentions on Instagram.