The Biggest Lie Social Media Feeds Photographers

Summary

This video explores the question of whether one can be a photographer if their work is never seen, contrasting the story of Vivian Meyer, who took thousands of photos but never showed them, with today's social media-driven culture that pressures photographers to share their work for validation. It discusses the evolution of photography's purpose, from a personal passion to a public display, and challenges viewers to consider what drives their own photographic endeavors.

Takeaways

• 📸 Vivian Meyer was a nanny and photographer who took hundreds of thousands of photographs but never showed them to anyone.
• 🌐 The script contrasts Vivian Meyer's private photography with today's social media-driven culture that emphasizes sharing work for validation.
• 🔍 After Vivian Meyer's death, her work was discovered and is now recognized for its quality, breadth, and depth of influence.
• 🤔 The video encourages viewers to reflect on their own views about sharing photographs and the impact of technology on photography.
• 🎥 The narrator of the video once avoided sharing photographs online, questioning the necessity of sharing for being considered a photographer.
• 📈 Social media has amplified the idea that photographers need an online presence to be recognized and validated.
• 🤷‍♀️ Vivian Meyer's work might not have gained the same popularity if discovered before the era of social media.
• 👀 The video suggests that photographers should consider the motivation behind their work, whether it's for personal satisfaction or external validation.
• 🖼️ The narrator shares a personal experience of taking their work offline to reconnect with the joy of photography without seeking external feedback.
• 📷 The video concludes by encouraging photographers to take pictures without the need for external validation and to consider what drives their passion for photography.

Q & A

Who is Vivian Meyer and why is she significant in the context of photography?

Vivian Meyer was an unknown photographer who took hundreds of thousands of photographs throughout her life but never showed them to anyone. She is significant because her work was only discovered posthumously and is remarkable for its quality, breadth, and depth of influence, earning her recognition among respected names in the photography world.

What is the contrast being made between Vivian Meyer's approach to photography and today's social media culture?

Vivian Meyer photographed for herself without any intention of sharing her work, which contrasts sharply with today's social media-driven culture where photographers are often encouraged to share their work for validation and recognition.

What is the 'trap' mentioned in the script that photographers are said to be falling into?

The 'trap' refers to the idea that one cannot be considered a photographer unless they share their work publicly, which is heavily amplified by social media platforms.

How did Vivian Meyer's photographs come to light after her death?

Vivian Meyer's photographs were discovered after her death when hundreds of thousands of negatives she left behind were found.

What is the significance of Vivian Meyer's work being shared and recognized after her death?

The significance lies in the fact that her work gained recognition and appreciation for its authenticity and quality, despite being taken and kept private during her lifetime.

What did the narrator of the script do in response to the pressure of sharing work on social media?

The narrator consciously avoided sharing any of their photographs online and took time away to reconnect with the passion of photography without the need for external validation.

What question does the narrator ask viewers to consider about sharing images?

The narrator asks viewers to consider whether the importance of sharing images has changed over time and what drives them to take photographs.

How does the narrator's perspective on sharing photographs differ from when they were younger?

The narrator used to want many people to see their work, but as they gained the ability to share widely, they found that they no longer cared as much for sharing and preferred a more personal, selective sharing of their photographs.

What advice does the narrator give to photographers struggling with the idea of needing external validation?

The narrator advises photographers to take photographs without the need for external validation and to reconnect with the joy of the creative process.

What is the role of social media in shaping the modern perception of what it means to be a photographer?

Social media has amplified the idea that a photographer's work must be shared and validated by an audience, influencing the modern perception that one's photography is not complete without social recognition.