I joined the blogging world in the beginning of 2009. I loved having a space that I could call my own, share my photos with family and friends, write words I did not know I had. For a year I posted a photo every day, doing a “365″… even though I had no idea at the time that “365″ was actually a fancy, fun term for such a project. I just thought taking a photo every day would improve my skills. Discovering I had words to put to my photos was a nice surprise.
Over the next few years I posted hundreds of photos, wrote thousands of words, shared a bit of my heart and my thoughts, and sought to encourage a reader or two along the way. One of the greatest gifts I found were the friendships of other bloggers who shared a similar love for photography. I “met” many blogging friends in this place called the Internet. I visited their blogs, read their words, commented on their photos and stories. I felt privileged to enter into their lives and see just a slice of who they were, albeit that “slice” was contained to a daily post with photos that captured very brief moments. I was (and still am) aware that what I saw in their posts, and what I shared in mine, were tid bits of their larger life picture. And even though I felt I “knew” some of the people through their stories and photos I was cognizant of the fact that I knew only what they projected. (Because honestly, everyone has her own threshold of vulnerability, comfortableness, and need for privacy when it comes to posting her life on the Internet…for all to see.) But still, I appreciated those bloggers who invited us into see the reality of their lives, rather than the perfect ones we often believed they lived.
I know there are many things since the advent of social media, and especially blogging, that have caused us all to realize that our culture has become pretty obsessed with over exposing ourselves. But there is a part of blogging that I have always appreciated: it has given us the ability to connect with those in this world who have the same interests and passions, to be inspired and encouraged along the way in our stories. Until I began blogging, I was chugging along, alone, in my pursuit of photography, trying to learn my camera, wondering how “others” out there were doing it and what they were producing. Because I was not taking any photo classes I was completely disconnected from the larger global community of others who shared my passion. Once I began posting my photos and sharing with words I valued anybody who would stop by and comment and encourage me along the way.
So when it seemed like a natural progression of creative exploration to begin using the camera on my phone, I joined the Instagram community to share my passion there. I created a profile and began to post photos there—mostly photos of my daily travels, of things that I saw, of beautiful light—all of which would have been passed over if I did not have my big heavy camera with me. I enjoyed the ease of carrying my iphone around and being able to capture photos in that intsa-second, share it with my insta-friends. Yes there were times when I realized I picked up my “real” camera less but I still loved to come and share here. I was a blogger who Instagrammed on the side. I loved both, but I loved blogging more. But somewhere in the last several months of Instagraming I have sensed this sadness creep inside me. While I still love a good scroll through Instagram, I feel like a shift has happened. Maybe I am completely off the mark, but I feel as if people are blogging less and Insta’ing more. (You should see my spell check trying to correct all my iterations of the word “instagram”.)
If I could create a picture for you…
It’s kind of like we were all at a blogging party and then a few people got up to leave and carried the party elsewhere. Though if I could be a bit more specific…we were all at a blogging party and the cool kids got up and left to go have a Tumblr party, and then some others went off to start an Instagram party. Everyone seemed to be jumping up and racing to the next “great thing” in the hopes of amassing followers so they could be seen, and “known”. Meanwhile a few of us were still in the blogging party still trying to keep it alive. Though the balloons were sagging and the chips and dip were all gone.
If this picture is really true, just call me the old lady barking at the young whipper snappers: pull your pants up! I may sound funny, but I just feel that in the madness of our insta-culture it seems we have now reduced our lives to even smaller bits. In smaller snapshots, in fewer words…all reduced to being viewed by the world in the time it takes to flick a finger up the screen of my phone. Even though we are sharing a lot more of our lives than ever before (photos of our lunch, our babies crying, our daily choice of outfits), and even though we are documenting our stories in ways that are creative and imaginative (via filters and textures), the truth is that our Insta-lives are shared in milliseconds…in a finger flick. Does that not seem sad to you? It feels to me like a false sense of connection. Which is a bit comical for me to say, I know. Hey! Remember the time when we used to write letters to each other, and meet for lunches, or sit on the front porches of our houses and talk about the neighbors? Now I’m complaining that we don’t blog enough. What is this world coming to?!
Now, I recognize that there are those who could care less about “connection”, unless it gains them followers. So if that’s you, this ranting doesn’t really pertain to you. And there are some that are perfectly happy with the amount of “connection” Instagram offers, or does not offer. I also know that some use Instagram for more than sharing their lives. Some use it to share their art work or their business. Which is amazing to me that we have so many avenues of ways to put our work out into the universe, to connect to other like-minded folk. And there are those that actually love the insta’ness factor. It’s a great way to capture family moments so that you have a documentation of your lives together. Which is also amazing. (Remember when our documentation was confined to the number of photos we had on our film roll? And then we had to wait for the film to be developed?) But, there are many of us bloggers, who used to share our photos and lives via blogging, who use Instagram because it’s just easier. It is easier to capture and share our lives in that moment rather than sitting down after the kids go to bed to write up a blog post. (This isn’t a judgement. I completely get it. As I type this, it is 10:56pm and I need to crawl into bed.) But, and I offer this as a confession, some of us might also feel that in order to stay “current” we need to go where the party is. No one likes to be left alone picking at the chip crumbs at the bottom of the party chip bowl. The ease of Instagram is sort of an excuse for just trying to “fit in”. (Although, as a friend of mine said, even though you show up to that new party, you discover that the new cool kids still won’t talk to you there either.) Or maybe, it all just comes down to the fact that Instagram fits better into your life. You are glad that blogging has dropped off people’s radars because now you do not have to feel the pressure to keep up in that space. Whatever the reason for the change of party venue, I still feel sad.
Just the other day I visited a friend’s blog. I left a comment that I was thrilled to pop over and see that she had posted something because I truly loved her photo work and wished I could see it more. She commented back to me that she was lamenting her lack of blogging because she was spending all of her time over in Instagram. My first thought was that she is one of the growing number of bloggers I know who have expressed this similar experience. I cannot tell you how many times I have read this on blogs: sorry I haven’t been here in this space in a while…I’ve been spending more time over on Instagram…you can follow me there! I replied to my friend that the lure of Instagram, in its “insta-ness”, seemed to be causing a shift.
I said it was like Instagram killed the blog-o-sphere star. (Ugh, I know this reference completely dates me, but I did tell her that I swore I’d blog about it someday.)
They took the credit for your second symphony.
Rewritten by machine and new technology,
and now I understand the problems you can see.
Pictures came and broke your heart…
Please don’t misunderstand me. I enjoy posting a photo or two a day on Instagram. I like to see what others are creating. I even have some far away friends that I love to share those tid bits of my life with, and I love to see theirs! But for this girl, I am still here. I am hanging on for the love of what I can do in this space, that I cannot do in Instagram. When you only have a finger flick of another person’s time, it’s hard to pour out your thoughts and words underneath an Instagram photo. Almost like throwing pearls before swine. It’s also hard for me because I love to often post a series of photos that share a story. With Instagram defining my story telling space in the format of one little square, it’s hard to give up this space where I can post photos and write to my heart’s content.
I know it takes much more effort and time to visit this space here, but I cannot tell you much it means to me that you stop by and give me more than a finger flick.
Naomi - Hmmm i dont even know what to say because i have so much to say. Ha. First off, i love perusing other’s blogs. Like yours, for example. I am just a bad commenter. So please know i do stop by and give you more than a finger flick. These days, im having this internal struggle with blogging and photography. So i have done much, much less. I started blogging for my family as they all do not live near us. Pretty soon it became about followers and comments etc… But now, i am just so over that. Right now, i blog when i feel like it or am inspired. Which is not often lol. Maybe when im done being pregnant ill have a change of heart.
Oh and instagram, the only reason i love it is because it is just so darn convenient. And ive seen some pretty amazing images on it which is impressive to me. Im lazy so to just pull out my phone is a breeze. :) i love the little bits of peoples lives too. Ok, im done :)
janet - I love reading your blog and seeing your IG posts. I blog twice a month because of the Linked friends and even they don’t all leave a comment, so I figure, why bother.
Instagram and projectlife365 have made me notice my surroundings and take an interest in them. I also feel that my skills are improving and I enjoy seeing what inspires other people. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can’t make people include you.
Jean - I remember when “Xanga” was popular (2004, yes, I blogged back then, too. I’m loyal to blogging or so I want to think so) and I got a lot of friends to blog then that died and then in 2010, I discovered Blogspot and don’t know why I quit blogging. I’ve always been known to journal, typing (online or word) or writing, I enjoy it. Instagram is instant and I like that. Most times, I don’t even upload photos right away because I don’t like ppl knowing where I am that second. I usually wait to share later (I get a little paranoid about stalkers). I also purposely have so many MB for my internet use so I don’t always have to be “connect.” I think there is a purpose for everything… Facebook has gotten mundane and I basically only do that to check up with my sisters and do conference chats (silly, I know). Tumblr is fun, but I don’t get too into it… Even Pinterest… Someone told me why I wasn’t on it because I’m so “crafty.” But really, my honest opinion is that I have met some of the most creative and humble people via blogging. I also feel that bloggers put more “love” into their work. I feel they actually do care and have “real” feelings. Insta sorta feels like you don’t have to put much work, just do and be done. Blogging, you have to proof read and sometimes, that’s like 200+ words!!
Regardless, I think that blogging is my favorite because I always go back to blogging no matter what comes along, myspace, facebook, pinterest, instagram… blogging will always be number one. =)
stacey - The thing I love about instagram is seeing little bits of the lives of my friends that they don’t normally blog. For some reason seeing how you are spending your day makes me feel a bit more connected to you even though we live thousands of miles apart.
At first I followed a bunch of people on instagram. Those photographers that I love, thinking maybe, just maybe, I would “like” one of their photos or comment on one of their photos and they would notice me. Silly, I know. Your comment about the cool kids not talking to you there, either…yep. And I’ve since realized that I no longer care about that. And I’ve since greatly limited my instagram followings and don’t get too caught up in it.
Blogging will always be first in my heart. I agree with you. I am still here, too. I love blogging. I love reading your blog and the blogs of my friends. I love having a little space to document our story and to share my thoughts. It’s how I met you and I’m so grateful for that.
Heather M. - I’d just like to say that the internet is evil. The whole damn thing. ;)
Okay, fine, it’s not evil, it’s neutral. I just have never been able to find a balance, no matter what form it takes. That’s the hardest part for me.
I so get what you are saying about “insta” everything. It seems like it’s the way of our culture and it’s hard. I so value and appreciate that you still blog and that you put so much time and effort into each post.
I have a million thoughts rolling around in my head lately about all this stuff but haven’t figured anything out enough to put into a coherent thought. I just know for this season of my life, the thought of blogging overwhelms me so it’s on hold.
And you know how I feel about leaving comments on your blog. *Ahem, blog-commenting-paralysis* Wish I could make things sound as beautiful and profound as you.
Erika - The thing about me is that, I have no iPhone but only a desktop computer, which means I have to sit still in front of it to do things.
Btw, the YouTube movie link doesn’t open on my side… But is it “video killed radio star”? I thought about this song when i saw your post title. I love that song too!
Jessica - I’m fairly certain not many people read my blog these days. When I post my links on facebook only a couple people “Like” them. I’m kinda bummed about it, but I can see that blogs are kind of a time investment. I prefer reading blogs, as they feel more connecting to me. I really don’t like Instagram at all, because it doesn’t give me much context or story behind the photo, the photos are so tiny, and I prefer the depth of the “big camera” and the larger photos. I don’t like that IG feels so trendy, like it’s where the “cool kids” go and so should everyone else. And, to me, it takes much more time to scroll through IG than it does to quickly run through my blog subscriptions. I wish more people blogged, and I wish more people read my blog!
Juliette - And here I am wishing I had a smartphone so I could get IG, lol! Seriously though, I have been wondering about my own blog since the start of the year…what do I really want out of it? I like the opportunity to share and discuss, but I don’t mind if my following is miniscule; it really doesn’t bother me. However, the wanting-IG thing makes me realize I would like some interaction…or at least a quick share of what’s to be seen. However, I think there’s also something to be said for an edited presence, no matter where you are online.
Tumblr…I just never get Tumblr. It feels too anonymous somehow I guess.
Interesting interesting.
I love your reference to Video Killed the Radio Star, haha! I got that the second I read your title! =D
skeller - yes. yes to all of it. I first noticed a bite out of the blogosphere with FB. And then another bite out of it with the advent/rise of Twitter. And then came Instagram – a game which only the iPhoners could play. I guess a whole bunch of bloggers must have been iPhoners :-}. I can still remember a couple years ago whining to a good friend that she NEVER blogged anymore and that she rarely picked up her real camera (which, to me, was the bigger travesty) … she said: Instagram. And me, with no cell phone at all, totally out of the “conversation”. And I also remember my husband being quite contemptuous of my desire to add even one more “social media” to my life – he didn’t seem to understand my “but all my friends are hanging out at a new playground and I don’t get to see them anymore” explanation. Anywhoo, all that rambling just to say, I do mildly mourn the seeming “backseat” demotion of blogging. I wish IG and Blogging were instead used as complementary pieces of the puzzle. I get very jittery/disturbed at “community-at-large” lifestyle changes that reflect a “texting” sensibility. Oh, and total pet peave: when IG-ers mostly/only post professional dslr (not appropriately labeled) pics to promote themselves – blech.
michelle - Taking a break from blogging and only instagramming was a good experience for me. I ended up tied to IG because I needed those everyday shots for my Project Life album. However, now that I’m back to blogging I’m very hesitant to post there. It’s like I am still defining what I want my blog to be and so I post in a limited way.
I still IG for PL.
The big shift that’s happened for me in the last few weeks is that I’ve pulled away from FB. I keep my account for my triathlon teammates and the kids schools (so I have some clue what’s going on) but I have pulled away from daily sharing there. I think my soul really craves what the blog can offer… more space to process and more detailed sharing.
I love your thoughts and I too think the IG, and other “short form” sharing platforms have really shifted the internet. But I sort of love it too because I feel like the “true bloggers” have stayed. It’s sort of like the masses who blogged “to be known” have left for the next cool thing and those left behind are the ones with “a heart for blogging.” I don’t mind if the blogging is less frequent than it used to be. It makes it easy to keep up to date reading. :)
Love you and I’m so grateful that we get to know each other and share our lives through the crazy internet. :)
Rebekah - I’ve been considering blogging again. But, for me, I want to start a whole new blog and leave some of my past readers behind so that I can fashion a more honest space. For a little while I actually had 2 blogs – my “family and friends” blog and one I wrote in “anonymously”. My tag line for the second blog was: Blogging is free. Psychiatrists are not. It was a place I could go and vent some frustrations without those particular frustrations being aware that I was posting about them. ; ) But then that space died because that’s all that went there – negativity – and it just felt all wrong. It was so good to let some of it out but I didn’t want to become that negative person. Anyhow, all that to say, maybe I’ll make another.