If you read this blog, I would guess that you read a few others as well. I do too. My Google Reader list has about 80 of them and seems to be growing. There is another bunch in my sidebar. This is in addition to podcasts that I download to my iPod, video tutorials I try to keep up with over at the Radiant Vista, Lightroom sites, etc. I have also been subscribing to artist blog sites like Clint Watson’s Fine art Views, Kristy Hall, Art Biz blog, Art Print Issues, etc, etc. Mailing lists, forums, and tigers oh my!
Quite frankly, I can’t keep up. There is just too much information out there these days. I want to keep learning and stay informed, keep up with fellow bloggers, but I think it is costing me too much time in doing other things. My guitar practice is suffering. Being a Nikon user, I would normally be reading all about the latest camera and lens releases – but I have pretty much tried to ignore much of the chatter. I barely know the specs of any of the new cameras.
I really do appreciate all the loyal visitors here, and I try to reciprocate as much as possible. But I think I need to step back and re-evaluate some of these things. I have already cut back my participation in various forums, I stopped posting images to other sites a long time ago. I try to blog about meaningful things that are on my mind, and you good folks have helped clear the fog, or at least wade through it with me. I could never commit to a post or picture every single day.
So.. I just wanted to say thanks for continuing to visit. I am not sure where my ‘re-evaluation’ will put me as far as my activity level. Only so many hours in the day – and so much wasted good light!
Hey Mark
Nice read. You’re right, of course, although itsn’t it ironic that this thread generates so many replies? Look, i’m doing it myself! 🙂
I’ve often thought how we’re too saturated with information – it’s simply more ‘content’, more stuff – in many ways I don’t think it’s any different to any other form of consumptionism, or addiction.
That being said, if you had ANY idea how many hours I’m putting on my computer right now, you’d know to dismiss, completely, everything I might have to say on the topic. 🙂
Pick up your guitar!
Cheers
Carl
Interesting read, Mark – as we’re all experiencing this phenomena together as photographers in the digital age!
Very thought-provoking topic. I chose to run a travelogue just on my one experience at an artist residency. I found even that difficult to maintain and update regularly and to provide interesting reading for the visitors.
Yes – photography has to come first!
Its crazy isn’t it? Information overload.
But I also find repetition to be a problem. There seems to be a cult of imitation in the nature photography biz. Everyone has the same tips, the same bio, sometimes even the same photos.
As a viewer, I appreciate a thoughtful approach to images – especially when I see the flame of an original idea. As a photographer I have learned that obsession is my friend. Obsession pushes me foward, hopefully to a new place with new possibilities.
You’re definitely not alone. I’m in the same boat. My participation in forums, blogs, etc. goes in waves. There shouldn’t be any pressure to it all. The day the pressure makes participating stressful is the day that things need to be reevaluated and pursued differently. Best of luck in finding the right balance. In the meantime keep having fun.
Oh by the way, that was a beautiful image and I loved the mood in it!
You are right, Mark. Spending time in taking images (which is the primary passion) is the most important thing. So you are absolutely right in giving it top priority in the list of activities you want to do.
Thank you all for the supportive comments. I don’t think I will stop ‘blogging’ altogether – but definitely have to unsubscribe to a few mailing lists, and perhaps reduce my visitation to other places. I enjoy sharing thoughts and images through this blog, but it is a time consumer.
Like Dan suggested, forums really get old and tired after awhile.
Wren, I like the guilt-free blog-rolls.
Mark, it was only a short time ago that I started visiting your blog, but thanks. You have put a lot of good thoughts up there. The thoughts are what attracted me and kept me coming back.
I am in full sympathy with your need to step back and re-evaluate. It has always seemed to me that we humans are mostly gregarious by nature, but to be creative means going against that part of our nature and thinking for ourselves, finding our own way. In that sense, I often tell myself, creativity is an unnatural act.
Best wishes.
I dropped out of forums last winter. It just got to be too much. And frankly, the photo forums just seem to reiterate the same tired arguments over and over.
Good point Mark, I see myself losing much needed time trying to keep up sometimes. Our first priority should be our art or photography.
You can’t be an active participant in 80 conversations at once, face to face or online. Don’t worry about it – when you have time, read the blogs you enjoy. When you don’t, do what you need to do instead.
I’ve recently latched onto the concept of “blogging without obligation.” I think we need a parallel concept” “blogrolling without guilt.”
I’m with you on that, Mark. That’s why my Google Reader subscription list has only about 20 items. That’s it for me. I don’t visit forums, keep up with cameras or lenses, or do anything else related to that. I have to work 8 hours/day + commute of 90 minutes – 2 hours round trip, cook dinner, pick son up from practice, etc.
If I were to add anything else, I’d have no time to shoot.
It’s good to take back your time for doing what’s most important. Whatever you deem that to be.
I know the feeling Mark, I have been spending way too much time behind the computer and not enough behind my camera, hopefully the next few weeks will be the opposite of this.