Stop Comparing and start Analysing

There are lots of quotes, posters and, self-help podcasts that all say the same thing that I am about to say again. STOP comparing yourself to others. Sadly, that's where they stop. No further advice is given on trying to negate this very human instinct of ours. What I believe should be said is 'stop comparing your self and start analysing the work'.
We compare ourselves on a near minute by minute basis. Walking down the street we casually glance into windows or at passers-by and, whether or not you will admit it or are even aware of it, you will judge, categories and, filter what you see with your own sphere of experience. It's near impossible not to, mostly because a lot of it can be happening without us really putting any conscious effort into it.

Social media has made this worse. In fact, it may have made it into an illness. Being shown hundreds of images and comments a day often with little than a few seconds for each piece of content, a comparison has become a near-automatic act. This automation allows Instagram to target that 'I want' feeling and make money off you through click-throughs and indirect sales. Not to put it too mildly, this IS making us miserable. Add to this that a lot of what you see is SPECTACULARLY curated and I suppose the solution is super simple. We simply stop using social media, right? Great! problem solved. You can stop reading.
Oh but you like social media. Of course, you do, that's what addiction does. You will fight for it even if it is harmful because it pushes the right buttons (specifically the ones related to dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins) in your head to keep you wanting more. But what if we could rewrite how we treat this addiction. Instead of simply comparing, what about we make every image or post or piece of content a learning experience. What if we made ourselves better from them rather than physically sick.
I have started to analyse the images that I like on instagram and, critically, dissect them. From pose to location, lighting to use of shadows I look for what I like and don't like. I then use what experience I have to decide if it is real or not. If not, then again I try to figure what has been done in post to make this image look like it does. Every image becomes a learning experience rather than just an urge or feeling programmed into me. The analysis gives you back the power of the content you see rather than being a victim of it.
Finnaly, this little cliche is really important, your first draft should NEVER be compared to someones published novel. Learning, practise and failure bring us better and better images/ writing/painting/anything! Go fail. Analyse these failures and get better, fail better.

Instagram, the social nightmare that we all share

Lets start on a positive note, Instagram is a place to share your work. Whether it is a post to build an account or a story to simply to engage with whatever following we can scrape out, Instagram allows a platform for us to show our work...sort of.

This post had to be re-written a couple of times. I didn’t realise how much of a rant it had become but sadly Instagram can be a very negative place so I will start with that and end positively.

Not for photographers

Because if it were a place for people to show there work, photographers and illustrative creatives would be top dog. As we know, this is not the case. Those who market the best ‘win’ the hardest.

‘Style’

Knowing it is all about marketing, you will begin to notice that instagram has it’s own style and if you don’t follow that style it can often (but not always) be very difficult to attract a following.

Large accounts that that celebrities curate are often filled with selfy after selfy and show nothing but the lifestyle that they want you to think they lead. These images can be interesting (we do something similar in glossy mags) which is why people follow it but lets be clear, that’s not photography. That is an option for them instead of getting papped. This way they control what you see and how you see them. Very powerful. (keep reading...im not all doom and gloom)

Because of this success you can see the a few types of images repeated again and again. Hopefuls will post their very curated moments onto the medium hopeing you will want to see more.

They bought into a lie!

ITSLIESALLLIESITELLYA!!!...sorry, we now return you to normal broadcasting.

The above people are buying into the idea that if you have a large enough following you might get paid or get free stuff. Fine. But that means the 1 or 2 accounts that have HUGE followings are then the norm that is replicated again and again. We start seeing these images everywhere and fatigue sets in very quickly. The lie is that this type of picture will get you followers.

But you knew all of this, right. We have been aware of how much damage instagram is doing to us for years.

Ok ok, So why are you using it?

I want to show my work so between my website and instagram I show it. I ignore the set style and show my work. Because of this I can’t be on instagram to get followers. I just can’t. It would probably drive me insane.

Detaching myself from the BS of instagram is difficult but this platform could still be of some use. Believe me however, if platform comes along that isn’t pay to win then I am all for it.

One of the big things about Instagram is actually engaging with the people who follow you. Speak to them and take the time to comment on their work. I have actually made a good few connections this way and it can be quite rewarding so long as it doesn’t become my primary focus.

So, if you read this. Lets talk. No really I am interested if you have any question or have any projects you would like some help on (advise included in that). Communication is important with creativity.

@itchyphotog

@itchysworld

Be polite

Be efficient

Have a plan to shoot everyone you meet