The Spotlight

It has been a strange 24 hours on Flickr for me. I uploaded my three entries for this month's Assignment: Houston and this photo has received a crazy amount of attention.

The thing is that the attention is a little unnerving. First, in less than 24 hours it has received 42 comments, 65 faves and 300+ views. That is mind boggling to me. I never get that many responses in such a short time. That is Slight Clutter territory. I'd always look at her stream and wonder what it would be like to have so many people respond to each one of your photos. It wasn't quite what I expected. Maybe I'm just not used to it.

Next, they aren't just looking at that photo, but I'm receiving comments on other photos too. Photos that people have to be really digging around my stream to unearth. It is like people are poking all around my house. Of course that is why I am on Flickr, to share my work, but it is strange to actually have people LOOKING at my work. I'm used to a few comments, a handful of page views. Nothing like this.

Then there are the comments themselves. Some of them make me sound like I am some kind of genius but I know the truth. I am a fraud. I stick my camera in P mode most of the time and shoot away. I feel like I didn't really do anything to get this photo. Luck.

And what kind of judge am I? This photo didn't even make the cut for the photoblog where I put what I think of as my best work! I uploaded spurs first because that was my favorite of the three. I obviously have no idea what is good!

I certainly don't want to give the impression that I am ungrateful. A better description would be mildly confused and a little bit in awe. This will all pass soon enough and I will slide back into obscurity. In the meantime I'll enjoy my 15 minutes of Flickr fame.

Comments

[Jeff]

For Katya, I personally see it as a blessing and a curse. She deserves every bit of praise she gets (just as you do), but popularity means that any photo you do that doesn't fit what people think you are (and as an artist, you are required to grow and change if you want to stay valid) causes people to question what you are doing.

Not that people openly question her skills on a regular basis, but the pressure to keep that audience has got to be uncomfortable.

[Randy]

*Slap*

Hehe, you needed that. Don't let Flickr cause you to question your judgment, rather see it as a way to help inform and complement your judgment (like I'm one to talk). A pet or small child or a topless photo would cause a similar reaction on the part of viewers, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should start posting those. AND this photo doesn't fit in those cliched territories. So there. I quite like it - lots of energy and motion, trendy vignetting, atmosphere of fun and escape. Whee! Enjoy the ride.

[laanba]

Jeff, thank you for your (as always) thoughtful discussion. Thinking about that pressure explains part of my unease even if I couldn't exactly put my finger on it. It is funny that we all think we want the fame and attention, but it isn't quite what I expected. Thankfully I think this episode will be brief. It certainly has given me some new perspective.

Randy, well geeze when you put it that way. Thanks for the slap, I needed that. Now to go chase down my pet for more fame and fortune. *KIDDING*

[Jim]

I don't know about the vagaries of fame and whatnot, but I do know that I love that picture.

[Sarah]

I did wonder why you didn't put this one on your photoblog (knowing that's where you like to put your best) but at the same time, listen to Randy -- don't let Flickr make you question anything about what you're doing! As long as you're enjoying photography and having fun, you're doing nothing wrong. :)

I do adore the photo. The swings are a favorite ride of mine, and this really captures them well.

[Becky Lai]

the power of flickr explore.

[MishMish]

you really do not give yourself enough credit...