Active Vs Passive Posting

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Active vs Passive Posting

When it comes to public exposure for your photographs there are several dynamics at play. The analogue I think of is that of a high school dance. 

 

Those people who arrive with a date will be able to dance every dance whether fast or slow. Additionally, in most cases, they know who they are going to leave with. 

 

Around the perimeter of the room are the clusters of boys who don’t have the courage to ask a girl to dance. In a similar way there are the groups of girls who are waiting to be asked. They all will eventually leave alone or with their accustomed friends. 

They are all passively waiting for something to happen to them. 

Some guys, the jocks and cool actors, will seek out the popular girls and become the example of what everyone else dreams about. The girls make it known they are open to the invitations. 

Never underestimate the power of the Wingman or Wingwoman in these social environments. 

The Wingman will push the shy guy to go over and ask for a dance. A Wingwoman will make a guy look good by being with him and paving the way for him to connect. Having a dance partner is a great way of getting dance partners. 

The gender roles can be the opposite too. Another girl can influence a girl to be receptive to an invitation. 

This entire description is to say that the social connections are as important (if not more so) than the presentation.

Photographers who upload their pictures and wait to be found may wait a long time ( if ever) to get a dance. Being in one’s comfort zone yield minimal results. Getting out and taking chances is the better way. 

Of course begging for a dance is highly counter-productive. 

Standing at the margins creates little positive results. Keeping on the move around the venue creates a sense of confidence and allows for the “chance meeting” that you’ve been hoping for. You may make a lot of connections which do not pan out in the present. They may become important at a later date. Think about all the “late bloomers” you have known and passed up on in your youth. Teenage lore is filled with such stories. 

What this all means is be proactive in your presence. The ClickaSnap venue is a lot like the high school gym where only a small portion of the student body come to the prom. Many more boys and girls do not go. They too are connections you might want to create and maintain. 

Add to your graduating class to students one year older and one year younger and you probably tripled your prospects.

Then if you include other schools in your district the population grows larger still. 

If you do not reach out to the wider population of people who can interact with you then your results will be necessarily fewer.

Making yourself seen is the key to success in every endeavor. This is especially true with online promotions of, specifically your photography. 

But as always what you have to offer is essential too. Looking at and reviewing what other people are uploading and getting responses for will help you determine what photos to make. 

Yours don’t need to be replicas of other photos, but the essential elements of the finished work need to be polished. 

Ive seen hundred, if not thousands, of pictures posted where my reaction is “too bad that picture is…” not framed better… over/under exposed… too crooked… has a distracting object… should be monochrome. And lastly, is so common that I speed on by just to get it over with. 

You might think your photo of the heart shaped coffee foam is really cool, but there are hundreds of nearly identical coffee images to see. Getting the image is good practice, but displaying it is nearly worthless. Same goes for the ubiquitous airplane wing tip and clouds. That one is so common a standup comedian comments on it in his disparaging routine. It is a great thing most people don’t comment what they really think of those pictures. Consider the lack of engagement as your truth-o-meter. 

Lastly, keep trying. Keep innovating. Keep seeing the world and getting the images. But most of all learn what is interesting to others and evolve your style.