I suspect we would all like our work to be more popular, but what would you be willing to do to achieve that popularity?
- Would you be willing to find images that are popular on social media, and then imitate them?
- Would you be willing to create images using fad techniques, just because they are currently in fashion?
- Would you be willing to create images that you didn’t love, because others loved them?
What would you be willing to do? How much do you want to be popular and how popular do you want to be? And if you are able to achieve a large audience, does that mean your work is better than someone with a small audience?
Here’s a truth uttered by the great pianist, Artur Rubinstein: “Nothing in art can be the best. It is only different.”
There is no good or bad art, just different art, and if you are creating images from your heart, from your Vision and with Passion, you will find your audience. It may be a small audience, but it will be a sincere one.
By the simple fact that I create with photography, greatly reduces the size of my audience. And by creating in black and white, reduces it further. And then there is my style of black and white, which reduces it even further still. That is the natural consequence of creating work that I love, but may not be widely popular with others.
So, how do I enlarge the size of my audience?
To do photography is to show my vision , my creative ideas. Just like music. State something I like and make a statement of who I am as a person on the planet. My style of photography and music has a very very limited audience. But I do it for me. I’m inspired by other artists but I never try to copy.
“ If you could see how I hear “
Well said.
Popularity is one goal and income is another. For me neither is of any consequence. Being popular by entering contests and getting an at-a -boy to me seems useless. I’ve done that and no longer do this. Congratulations and awards are very fleeting. It like a drug habit, your need to succeed is only controlled by the thoughts of others, not my life style. As for money, don’t even think about it. You can probably count on several hands anyone making a good living with photography. Specialty photography like; fashion, food, or making portraits for the general public can in some cases earn you a very nice living. However, those opportunities are few and far between.
So now that I’ve been so negative, here is the one bright spot I’ve fallen into, “make images that feed your soul.” Make shots that you love even if no one loves them. They will always be challenging and exciting to create. Art photography should be listed as a personal, self fulfilling endeavor that only relies on you and your own experience and imagination.
My last point, I love photography and with each image I create, that is exciting to me, makes my life very fulfilling and enjoyable.
The feeling of self satisfaction that comes with creating images that I am truly
Totally agree, Barry!!!
I do not rely on my photography to enhance popularity. I post on Facebook, not to receive all the likes I can accumulate, but to share where I’ve been, what I’ve been doing. Often, I’ll post an ICM image, or one with textures, etc. which may violate some traditionalists’ sensibilities, but my goal is not to compete or insult their sensibilities, merely to demonstrate that there are many ways to process, view or appreciate the art of photography.
To me, the key questions for photographers are, “Why do you care about photography, and why do you want to make better photographs?”. The answers seem to fall into four categories:
• Recognition
• Artistic self-fulfillment
• Influencing/pleasing others
• Social interaction
Recognition – Those who strive for recognition focus on their successes in competitions. Acquiring numerous ribbons, plaques, certificates, or other similar materials appears to be an important part of their photography. Camera Clubs typically offer the opportunity to compete with others and achieve the gratification they desire.
Many of us have gone through this phase, and many still find it satisfying. I was initially excited to win photography competitions but gradually began to feel that they were hollow “victories.” I began to think of my ribbons as reflections of my success at meeting the photographic standards of others. At that point, I stopped entering competitions.
Artistic self-fulfillment – I have found that I really like some of my images, even though other people don’t necessarily agree with me. These photographs make me feel good and pleased with my photography. They seem to enrich my artistic soul, much the same emotion that I suspect a painter feels. I now strive to create photographs that are especially meaningful to me.
Influencing/pleasing Others – I like it when my photographs please others. It feels good when my wife (or others) sees one of my images and says that they love it and would like to have a copy. Also, I believe that most professional photographers fall into this category since they must please others if their photographs are going to sell.
Although it feels good when my photographs make others happy, this isn’t my primary goal. Instead, it’s a beneficial “side effect.”
Social Interaction – Although I no longer participate in the photography competitions, I still attend most of the camera club meetings (currently by Zoom). I do this because I enjoy interacting with people, especially those who share my passion for photography. They may not share my reasons for taking photographs, but we still have a great deal in common.
Photographers whose goals are different from mine are not inferior in any way. Instead, we simply have “drivers” that aren’t identical. The fact that a competition judge’s award decisions aren’t meaningful to me doesn’t change the fact that others find the awards fulfilling. However, a judge’s comments may help me refine my art which can be very beneficial.
I belong to a couple of PSA photography study groups. I appreciate the fact that we are not competing within our study group. The satisfaction that I get from photography derives from how I feel about my images. When I receive sincere input from others (judges or study group members), I listen carefully and decide if their suggestions would make me more pleased with my creation. If so, I gratefully incorporate their ideas. If not, I graciously thank them for their comments.
I realize that I can often modify my work so that I like it even more. I never feel that I’ve created an image that is as wonderful to me as it could be. Thus, I value the chance to hear ideas that might increase my satisfaction with my photographic efforts.
I believe that there is significant value in hearing the thoughts of others if you assess them objectively. However, to me, it is a mistake to blindly follow the recommendations of others. Input is valuable if it helps you meet your own goals for your art. To me, this is being faithful to oneself.
Great commentary, Cole! At one time or another, every single one of us has asked ourselves that question. I have never been willing to change my style or subject matter, but I have spent much time in thought over the years trying to figure out ways to increase my income while still being true to myself. The question then becomes, how much time are you willing to dedicate to marketing your work instead of being in the field capturing your work? Sadly, 24 hours in a day being an unmovable barrier, marketing vs. shooting really becomes an important issue, especially if you also have a spouse, family, and other social obligations. I wish I could say I’ve successfully solved that issue, but I haven’t, at least so far. I go through spells, concentrating on shooting, then concentrating on marketing as I am NOT a successful multi-tasker. The honest truth of the matter is that when you introduce MONEY into the equation (as in trying to make a income with your photography) it just plain takes some of the fun out of it, and that sucks!
You are on the right track to be true to yourself; and so keep creating the images that nurture your soul, not of that of the masses!
Doing what you love, using creative vision and doing the work well is whats important. It makes you great at what you do. There is always a following of those that appreciate greatness in photography no mater whether it be black and white, color, artistic edits etc.
Cole, I love your work. I think everyone who receives your newsletter does. By pretty much every measure, you are popular. Although you may not be creating work with the goal of attracting an audience, you have one, and I’d guess not a small one. So, that begs the question: What did you do to become popular? Making the work one likes is great, but it doesn’t attract an audience. And without an audience it sort of seems like peeing in a wetsuit. It give you a warm feeling, but no one notices. 😉
Victor, how would you know about peeing in a wetsuit? (I do know what you’re saying, there’s nothing more comforting on a cold dive!)
I have a very small following, but I appreciate them so much because they love black-and-white as much as I do!
How do you get a following? By being yourself, and then accepting whatever audience comes.
I went through the phase where I tried marketing hard, and it improved the “numbers,” but it didn’t find me the right kind of people. They were people who just signed up for anything, not true lovers of the type of work that I love.
Life is too short to just improve numbers. If you work hard to create images that you love, you will find your audience.
If you can please all the people all the time then the path to universal popularity is easily within reach.
But generally, if you try please everyone, you fail to please yourself.
“All people” must include yourself otherwise there’s no point in trying to be popular if you don’t believe in the sum of your efforts. Anyway, my little contribution to the subject was supposed to be ironic, not unpopular. 🤓
I guess your comment referred to the traditional quote “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”, which I recall Bob Dylan once quoted in a concert.
Cole,
I , like you, love black and white. For me, your message is that by being yourself and shooting what is your passion, you set a fine example for all of us to follow; not by emulating your work but by inspiring us to follow our own passion and vision. I really enjoy your images but get just as much out of your message. Thank you.
Dennie
Early in my photographic art journey, I struggled with the question, “Will THEY like it?”
Not long after my first show, Seth Godin, a marketing Guru in NYC, gave me some words that have been my guide ever since:
“If you don’t like my art, then my art is not for you.”
Ever since then, I stopped submiting to contests and competitions (there are no winners and losers in “art”, just popularity contests), and I stopped posting on social media just for “Likes” and “Atta-Boys” (thanks for those, but I really don’t need constant self-affirmation). But what I did do was focus on expressing my vision through my photography. And have hung at many shows since then.
And I continue to create according to Seth’s advice:
If you like my art, thank you.
And if you purchase a piece, thank you again.
But if you don’t like it, thank you for the feedback – but my art is just not for you.
As Arthur Rubinstein said (paraphrasing): there is no good art or bad art, just different art.
A great personal experience and lesson, thank you!
Interesting comments. Yes to Arthur Rubinstein. I am not a photographer but an painter. I love photography. When I used to sell it was a great confidence booster. When someone bought my work it was amazing that someone liked it enough to put it in their personal space. I’m not in a gallery now and stopped selling decades ago. Its just fun creating and learning with every canvas. ( at 75 ) Aren’t I lucky……………
Happy 75 Fred, and yes you are lucky!
Well said Sir, and a good irony the frame shadow of Leonardo da Vinci the “Venerabile Mambo” or Freemason
My head is spinning around at this one. WHY do I photograph? WHAT does it mean to be popular? I confess to posting on social media, both images that would match well with the colors of the throw pillows and those that are personal parts of my soul. I prefer the latter. There is a core group of followers that hit the like button but do they really see? So being popular is of no real concern, I photograph because, to quote Sean Rowe, “Leave something behind”.
The better question is… why do I keep inviting you to be my co-leader on workshops? 🙂
Because I make you look good!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Whilst the answer to your three questions is an obvious no for me, the first 20 plus comments left a bit a foul taste in my mouth, when everyone seems to claim to do “their thing for themselves only and dont care what others think”.
In theatre there exists the proverbe “applause is the artists bread and butter” and it seems likely to me that the vast majority of artists (incl photographs) is encouraged by recognition.
Whilst I agree that the intrinsic motivation is the longer lasting driving force for any activity (not only artistic but also choices of profession), I am always a bit skeptiical if people claim that they are completely immune against any extrinsic incentives.
I therefore fully agree with the beginning of your blog, that one shouldnt sell one’s soul for short-term success as life experience shows, that this is not sustainable. I however disagree that seeking popularity is a bad thing per se. On the opposite I strongly encourage any artist to seek for popularity and to show his or her works to the world in exhibitions, competitions or even on social media.
Not for becoming “rich and famous” but for enriching the world. I would have found a pity if you, Cole would have decided that you do the pictures for yourself only and wouldnt have created this website.
Competitions are just another tool in that toolbox. I compare them with Parker Awards for Wine: the wine doesnt taste better than without the award, but more people get aware of it. And it would be a pity for the consumer as well as for the producer if they hadnt met. Similar applies to art.
Just my five cents.
I oft have people tell me that because I am showing my work to others, I am creating for others. I see it differently.
I am trying to create for myself: my work is like a diary entry as Rick Rubin said, but then I enjoy sharing it with others and associating with people who have similar tastes and sensibilities.
What’s important is why I create. If I am creating for popularity, then I am not going to create my best work, and I’m unlikely to please myself.
Maybe these simple truths are not true for everyone, but they are true for me.
Hi Cole I think we are aligned as I subscribe to “If I am creating for popularity, then I am not going to create my best work” 🙂 Thanks for sharing and take care.