Being All Things to All People….
By
In an attempt to get your work (or idea’s) out there… social media can be a wonderful tool. But if not careful, this wonderful tool, can become a terrible master.
There are so many social media options available… all of which can (if you let them) become very time consuming. I know this from personal experience, especially with Facebook, which almost took over my life at one point. I just had to walk away for a time.
I do know that I spend way more time trying to promote my images than I ever spend taking them… and that’s sad in a way… but it’s what we must do in order to get noticed. I want my work to affect people and the only way that will happen is if people get to see it. The internet has opened up the entire world to us and we now have the ability to connect with people in way never before imagined.
But I also have to be mindful of the fact, that my goal, my ambition is to be a photographer… my work only improves by time spent behind the lens… not time spent on social media. By working on my art and honing my craft, I hope to one day be good enough to reach a great many people. And in order to do that I have to be a wise custodian of my time.
It’s all to easy to while away many hours in cyber space… I am sure some of you know what I mean.
74 Comments
you will menage your time better and better.
please spend more time shooting because your pics are amazing.
What a wonderful thing to say… I promise to go outside and shoot today… as long as it warms up a bit. Starting to get cold in my part of the world
I exactly know what you mean! For me, there is a line after which I just can’t stand the computer any more. Plus the most productive time I experience is when I am unplugged and can actually write/read/do. Benefits of information age are immense but we must be careful to use it as a tool which serves us rather than a tool which limits us
Couldn’t have said that better myself. I know if can become a slave to the computer if I’m not very careful. Thanks Agatha
I never understand how you can get shots like that. What do you do to to make the moon appear that large?
That is seriously how large it looked. The higher in the sky it got, the smaller it looked, but it seriously blew me away as it came over the horizon… it was HUGE!!
Wow. I really did miss out then. I did get a photo of it, though. I’ll put it up later. I can get a good shot, but I don’t have a great camera. That moon was almost too bright. I could count the bricks on my house from across my yard in only the moon’s light. In my photo, I was trying to get a good enough exposure to clearly see the face of the moon, but before I could, the battery ran out.
OH no… how heartbreaking. I always have spare batteries. Learned that one the hard way myself.
Maybe the moon will be nice and give me another chance tonight
I am sure it will.
Good.
Yes, all those different forms of social media can gobble up huge chunks of your time. I’ve even been pulling back from my own blog, choosing to spend more time exploring other people’s blogs lately. It isn’t that I don’t want to be writing, but rather, that I simply have a limited number of minutes to spend, and I have to make a choice.
I’m glad that you are using a blog platform as one of the ways to get your photography out there … your artistic eye is well-developed and manages to pull out the frame that often leaves the viewer speechless. So many gorgeous shots. I’m hoping you get the recognition you deserve, and find a way to let your art be the source of your income.
From your mouth to God’s ears my friend. That is the dream… but even if that never happens, I am so very happy to share my view of the world with others.
This is one astoundingly beautiful image! Often I express a ‘like’ for your work, just so you won’t have to actually make a reply. So please, don’t reply to this! Just know, that your work is very moving and inspirational. So whatever keeps you out and about with your camera is what we all cherish for you, my dear.
Oh no…. please don’t ever feel that you can’t comment so I won’t have to reply. I just LOVE replying to comments. (in a weird sort of way, and please don’t tell anyone this.. but I feel it validates my work). And I am very happy you like the moon image. I just love the moon.
Greetings Tracie, I quite agree that find the right balance is a challenge, a balance which impacts on so many things.
Thanks Anton… I am personally still working on trying to figure out how to actually get more hours into my day… haven’t had too much success so far
Sure do know what you mean Tracie…. however; I’ve too many other things to do (thank goodness)…
Without all of those ‘other things’ I’m sure that I would fall into the cyber abyss…
Great pic… the moon looked amasing last night…!
It sure did… thanks Carolyn
I was out last night from 7 pm till 9 pm just shooting away and not one of my images came close to looking as amazing as yours.. I give up. I’m going to sell my camera and look for another hobby. Maybe numismatics!…
Oh please don’t ever give up. I tell my children NEVER EVER EVER give up. This was taken just after 5pm. I checked online to see what time moon rise was, and was standing in my backyard just watching and waiting for it to pop over the horizon.
Well, admittedly I was shooting with a kit lens- not the best quality. It is an EFS 18-55mm and I had to wait till 7 pm for the moon to just start cresting over the mountains so it was already small. OK, maybe I’ll give it another year or two! But you’re still an amazing talent. Don’t remember how I found you but I’m glad I did. Envious, too!
I’m extremely glad you did too =D
First let me say, Tracie, I love your photo of the moon,… a little something we all get to share! And yes, I know what you mean about being consumed by socializing via cyberspace. At one point, I was spending 10 hours a day blogging, which of course, I’ve had to lighten up on lately.. I think all of us know how you feel, and find ourselves adjusting our blogging time as well. I enjoy blogging, and I love the new friends I am making world wide, but there are times when you have to focus on what is happening in your own household first and foremost. Keep up the faith in your work, Tracie, one day your ship will come in. I hope mine will too.
I shall keep an eye on the horizon for both of us
Thank you, Tracie. Take some great shots while you’re at it!
I will… I just LOVE shooting at the coast.
looked like fake
Well it wasn’t. Was a single shot, taken with Nikon D90, Sigma 150-500mm lens on full extension, tripod of course, 1/13 sec, f6.3, ISO 200. Pre-processed in Camera Raw, finished off in Photoshop. Taken about 5.15pm in Kingaroy Queensland… and my husband was watching me take it… so no… it wasn’t a fake.
Actually to be honest… I wish I knew how to fake a shot like this. I’m just not that proficient at photoshop yet.
sure knew that it’s real….i mean it’s prefect that looked like a painting or else.
I thought that was probably what you meant… I totally over-reacted… I do that sometimes… sorry for the misunderstanding… and thanks as always, for commenting
its ok, tks for your sharing, all we see your shots are great!
TL….your images nor you are appear fake……..love this post, great words & photo……..be all you can be, that’s is all you can do…..shalom en theos…jim
Thanks Jim… probably shouldn’t have reacted to that one… it might have been meant as a compliment. It’s just that I have spent SO much time learning, and honing my craft, that it is really insulting to think that I would ever post a fake image. Enhanced image YES… fake… NEVER.
TL……you can’t be all things to all people………words can hurt,, whoever said “sticks & stones may break my bones but words can harm me” was wrong!!!! shake it off…shalom en theos….jim
Already have Jim. I have received FAR too many wonderful comments to allow one (possibly) negative comment to affect me. I am VERY proud of that shot and nothing will change that
. Thanx for being so wonderfully supportive xxoo
That photo is breathtaking! I used to be a twitter addict so I know what you mean about spending a bunch of time on media sites. I still spend some time on twitter just not as much as I used to.
I’ve never really gotten the hang of twitter but I do use it. Facebook was my downfall. But now I spend way too much time on WordPress. I do love it though.
Tracie, I enjoy your work very much. I know exactly what you mean, but sometime, we just cant unplug from cyberspace. Hope you can find the right balance and provide us more of your awesome photos.
Jim
Thanks for the great comment. I don’t think I will ever stop taking photos. Just have to find that balance like you say
I am jealous you got a shot of the supermoon. It was foggy where we were camping. I agree with you about social media; it can be very overwhelming. You have to pick your most effective outlet and dedicate a % of time to others. Posting then sharing from your post can cut down on time. And just wait…Google is going to offer better solutions for photographers. Amazing shot!
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky last night, I was so fortunate. As for social media.. there are so many other outlets that I could be exploring and I sometimes feel that I should be, but there are only so many hours in the day. So what’s this about Google?
Wow, what a Marvelous Photograph !! It is truly stunning and also a Great post(message) as usual
Much appreciated… thank you
What a photo!
Yes, I know what you mean too.
Thanks Julie
loving all your shots! missed that moon last night, but am glad I had a quick peek at it tonight.. not that huge though..
thanx for sharing.. I feel you, we should take more time admiring those views for real rather than in front of the computer..
Hubby and I were talking about that last night… he had read an article about photographers and how we are so busy trying to capture the view, we don’t take time to stop and admire the view. I know I am guilty of that one. Thanks so much
That is some serious moon you have catch … big as the one I saw in Nagasaki many years ago.
Stunning photo. You’re so right about social media – and we have to give it a rest …. Because it can eat us up completely. We talk less with each other over the phone … and talk too long over the net. It’s a very wired situation and lonely too.
It does have it’s good side… I have lived in some very remote areas and finding like minded people to communicate with was really difficult. The internet was a god send. But then again, I wasn’t trying to start a dream career back then, and had all the free time in the world.
It’s all about having the right balance – because in our case you need the social net for your career and to show your work through. The right balance is the difficult bit.
that’s just amazing
Thanks so much!
Your photography is impeccable! It is, because you are so good at what you do that I arrived here, in the first place, and why I come back for more. Your comments are the frosting.
If, you didn’t post one day, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I know you would be taking good care of yourself, and we could meet again, tomorrow. Don’t misunderstand as I would miss our daily meeting but, so pleased you are well, and happy.
That’s very sweet of you Dave… I know I would be disappointed if I couldn’t post for some reason. I know that day will inevitably come, and I have to learn to stop being so hard on myself… but once I set a goal for myself, it’s hard to let it go. And thanks again for the lovely words about my work… you are so very good for my ego xxoo
Gorgeous photo as always…I call FBthe time vacuum.
J
“the time vacuum”….. that’s priceless!!!
Tracie,
My wife is expereinceing the same thing. She is an artist who spends more than half her day promioting her stuff instead of doing that whihc she loves… painting. You are not alone. May the Lord continue to bless you… you are a very talented photographer.
Thanks Rob… I appreciate your comment… And I wish your wife every success. Send me an email of where I may see her work… I would love to see it.
Absolutely agreed, spreading creativity is a tough gig. Shoulders squared, chin up, and brain always churning – there’s no other way.
You are so right about the brain always churning… I wake up and I am thinking about photography…. whatever I’m doing all day, I’m thinking about photography (with one eye on the sky in case the clouds get interesting)…. I go to sleep at night, I’m thinking about photography. Thanks for commenting
“…mindful of the fact, that my goal, my ambition is to be a photographer,” is an interesting statement as you so clearly are phenomenal photographer! This “Super Moon” shot is the best I have seen. It is a photograph worthy of the most distinguished magaizine covers. Thank you so much for sharing it here. And as for the thought of social media being such a time stealer, it is the nemesis of all artists to want to only create, and not to marlet or promote. Hopefully, “time spent behind the lens” will be rewarded by more shots like this, and word of mouth will carry you to further success. It has to happen, as you are consciously calling in the life of your choice as you continue to do what you love, that which is your calling:: photography.. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Such a lovely comment Jan… thank you so very much. I am just doing what I adore to do, and hopefully one day I will have that magazine cover *fingers crossed*
Your pictures are really stunning, I love the way you’ve captured the moon
Thank you .. I’m so glad you like it
Know what you mean and I’ve been there… trying to limit my time behind the computer and really all the social media…..I’m on it but not the long hours I’ve done before… great post and beautiful photo tracie xoxo
Thanks Joanna…I’ve been trying to cut, back but it’s not easy.
I love this photo. it is truly amazing. Social Media is crazy that’s for sure. when you left FB a few months ago, I cut back and that is when I turned to blogging on WordPress. Love WordPress but it can get you wrapped up too, just have to set my alarm and limit myself.
I think I might actually be even worse on WordPress then I was on Facebook… but (and don’t tell anyone I said this)… but to me… WordPress is like the thinking mans Facebook
So agree! WordPress has some good structure to it, not the random stupid comments from people.
I use a daily schedule so that I don’t let any specific part of my life overrun everything else. For example, with WordPress, I try to do three posts a day, morning, noon, and night. For comments and likes, I will keep reading, liking, and commenting until I have 200 likes or 100 comments,, whichever comes first. Then it’s on to other things. While I’m here in your blog this like and comment will put me at 160/76, respectively.
I don’t think I could ever be that structured… in fact as of my last post, my intension is to be a lot less structured. I have always operated best from a “go with the flow” perspective. I’m just an intuitive, feeling person… and I need to get back to my coming from my heart and telling my head to mind it’s own business, way of doing things. But we are all different, and that is what makes life so damn enjoyable.
Hey, Tracie Louise’s heart. Your woman needs your heart. Her head is trying to take over. Exert your influence. lol