David Rathbone
@david_rathbone_photo3d
How much has your photography changed
How much has your photography changed without you even realising it? I was recently looking through some of my old photo sharing accounts and was struck by how different my photography and my tastes are now compared with when I first started sharing pictures online I joined Flickr in 2009, initially posting photos of my old dog before moving on to landscapes and travel photography. I still pop back in from time to time and share some of my street photography there, without much engagement Then, in 2016, I moved over to Instagram, which is where I’ve stayed ever since, Along the way, I’ve tried plenty of other platforms and eventually drifted away from them — Threads, Twitter, Portfolio, Iris and Foto, to name just a few I can’t say I’m especially happy with the direction Instagram has taken, but so far I haven’t found an alternative I like enough to make the move Recently, I stumbled across an old, abandoned Flickr account belonging to @spicy.meatball it was fascinating to look through some of his early work and compare it with the photography he makes today. He’s certainly come a long way It got me thinking not only about how much these platforms have changed, but also about how much we change as photographers while using them I’ve gone from photographing my dog, landscapes and holidays to getting much closer to people and everyday life through street photography, And I’m sure the work I’m making now will look very different again in another ten years What was the first photo you ever shared online, and what are you photographing now? Have you stayed loyal to one platform, or moved between several as your work and tastes have changed? Tell me which sites you started with, which ones you left behind, and where people can find your photography today.
My photography has changed in that I am going out a lot more. I am finding what works for me and what I consider is my style. Last year I purchased a cheap (TTArtisan) 100mm, initially for a specific purpose but have found it has given me a whole new perspective in certain situations, embracing the tightly composed, compressed look and definitely not a typical street photography focal length. I switch between that and a 40mm and it can make for interesting photos as I once only had the 100mm with me and wished I had the 40mm but ended up embracing it and taking a really interesting shot with it anyway.
I do use Instagram (@creative_cozmic) but I hate that the awful algorithm means no one really sees my photos. I only use it just to point people to my portfolio. One day I’ll justify paying for my own website.
Great to be doing something different, yes a single lens can force you to find another way
Instagram is hard to get traction, but probably the same with other platforms too, I gave you a follow
Thanks! I think a lot of people who have a good following on Instagram (like the Framelines guys) joined well before the algorithm gave up on photographers. Sadly I joined too late in that regard. Even hashtags on IG are pretty meaningless now.
It’s certainly harder to grow now, it requires a lot of effort to keep posting photos and engaging with other users, you really have to want it to succeed, I generally post once a week
edited
Hi Corin. I like to punch in with my 35mm to 52.5mm and 85mm to 127mm. The 24mp camera I use produces 14mp files doing this.
35mm in 1.5 crop aps-c is equivalent to 52.5mm. Using the aps-c mode on a FF camera does give you more options. 14mp files are fine if you don't ever see yourself making large prints.
Yes, Corin, duly corrrected. My submission for this months assignment was punched into 75mm from 50mm. 12x16 is a print size I like to work with for images shot on my 12.1mp D700 and 14mp works just as well on that size, as does TRI-X and XP-2 shot on my Nikon FE. Have a good start to your week.
I can vividly remember the photos I was taking on my first camera, they were just random pictures of trees in the park near my house but I remember how strong my fascination was with photography then. Since then I've dabbled in various forms of photographer and ultimately landed on a mix of traditional street photos to portraits. I think the beauty (and pain) of photography is trying as many styles as possible before you find the one that sticks, if one ever does stick. I think personally I'll continue to float between styles to keep myself interested more than anything, it's good to change things up. Also very much agree on not finding a better alternative to Instagram, feels like we need a big hitter to commit to photo content but it doesn't seem likely with the continuous rise of video.
Always good to have some variety in what you shoot, especially if it keeps you enthusiastic, just checked out your insta some nice portraits on there
Very true, we keep learning