Facebook a necessity?

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hux

hux

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For photography?

Every man and their dog is on there and I find myself waning, so was wondering has anyone foregone social media and went another route?

Just considering my options.
 
Dunno about a necessity but if you are trying to do anything other than as a personal hobby you are probably handicapping yourself not having a presence on there these days.
 
I gave up on Facebook years ago cos it didn't interest me in the slightest. Just got my own website but it rarely gets updated but has the essential info if folk need to get in touch with me regarding photos (football mainly) Does the job for me.
 
Likewise, facebook just does absolutely nothing for me, so I'be been doing a bit of headscratching about the whole need for it. Plus my thinking is i'll enjoy taking photos all the more when there's no pressure with having to keep up with social media.

It's just a serious hobby atm, but I like my progression and I'd like to see how far I can go.
 
For a business yes its very useful and at least 50% of our enquiries come through there.
For personal absolutely not unless you find it the easiest way share photo's with other like minded individuals in your circle.

Facebook is now basically a social justice network and animal video sharing platform with the odd pointless post someones personal circumstances in between and you are not missing anything but not being on it.
 
I recently uploaded a few of my wildlife photos.

I was very disappointed that Facebook compresses them down to 100k :(

They look crap in comparison to the high resolution files.
 
If you're dealing with Jo-public and treating it as a business contact then I would say yes it's essential, especially if you want work through referrals. I started reducing my presence online as I was too busy with the full time but last month I had two people stalk out my profile (not used in 6 months) messaging to book. Referrals from Facebook friends seems to be the easiest way to develop business.
 
hux;30477263 said:
Likewise, facebook just does absolutely nothing for me, so I'be been doing a bit of headscratching about the whole need for it. Plus my thinking is i'll enjoy taking photos all the more when there's no pressure with having to keep up with social media.

It's just a serious hobby atm, but I like my progression and I'd like to see how far I can go.
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I don't why you even think Facebook is of any relevance to your photography?


The only possible reason photographer should worry about Facebook in he slightest is to generate sales or future revenue from events. Its a marketing tool, if you re not doing commercial photography then forget it.
 
Holst1981;30490852 said:
I recently uploaded a few of my wildlife photos.

I was very disappointed that Facebook compresses them down to 100k :(

They look crap in comparison to the high resolution files.
Click to expand...

Yes, but that doesn't really matter for the use of Facebook that would be useful. You want just enough samples that people are interested and will click on a link to your professional website.
 
I'm not a pro, just sharing on Facebook for friends.

I used to use Flickr but I've given up on yahoo so I stopped using it.

If your not using Facebook what do you use?

I can't be bothered with my own website and I don't want to pay for it.
 
Holst1981;30492016 said:
I might post them here if it was easier to do.

I mainly take them for fun and to print.
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Dead easy to share here, upload wherever (Facebook, Dropbox) and post links. There are existing threads for categories, or start your own. State whether you want critical.feddback or just sharing.

You got to decide what you want. Throw them on Facebook if you want your mom and unknown friend to give blind praise. If you want critical nfeedvack you can ask here but few people give genuine critique, some forums are OK but many are just a circle jerk. I have a few good photographer Friend's who have no inhibition in telling me my work is crap and unimaginative. When they are positive then I know I can trust them!


Also for feedback I find simply swelling photos on stock sites can let you know what graphic designers think. But of course bit everything has.such overt commerical value.

But since you say you take them for fun then why give a rats arse? If you enjoy the process and like the outcome, nothing else matters
 
jonneymendoza said:
How are you going to advertise and mingle with the society with your images?

Nowadays its a must to have a facebook page of some sort.
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I don't need to advertise, I get all the business I want from word of mouth. Sure, if I wanted to go full time then absolutely I would exploit Facebook for social marketing as I said earlier. For my portfolio sales, they are on stock sites like Alamy which take care of advertising, I just pick up cheque.

A for mingling, I don't really give 2 hoots what random people online say. What maters to me the most if whether I enjoyed taking the photo, after that it is whether I like the photo. If I particularly like a photo I will print it on on 30x20" canvas to put about my fireplace. Rather than mingle virtually with people in some chrat room I'll simply meet up with some photography friends over a few beers and discss each others latest work. Furthermore, if someone shells out $600 for one of my photos then i know my work has some value to at least some people - that is much more valuable, both literally and figuratively, than a Facebook like.
 
I do share in Facebook and Twitter and find both OK for getting to know a few more people and finding out a few sites or things that are about locally (wildlife). Would like more C&C on my photos.
 
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