Once every three months I slip away from all the limelight, tinsel and glamor of the blogging world, and I take a good long look at ULTRAsomething. Why do I publish articles? Who do they benefit? Who reads them? Is there any tangible reason to keep writing them? Should I actually write more of them?
Sometimes, when I ask these questions, I even try to answer them myself…
Why do I publish articles? I suppose it’s because I care about the things I write, and because I’m genuinely concerned about the future of photography. It’s not that I fear an end to still photography, it’s that I fear an end to what once made still photography so meaningful. I fear that both viewer and photographer are losing the ability to see beyond a photograph’s façade and into its soul. Ultimately, I write because I’m selfish — I enjoy seeing good photography. I enjoy photography with heart, with passion, with meaning and with purpose. That’s why so many of my articles are designed to remind photographers that their ultimate self-satisfaction will not come from following populist dictates, but from exploring their own motives, techniques and personal vision.
Who benefits from these articles? I’m not sure. Certainly not me. They have no value in marketing my photographic services since they’re voiced more for the benefit of other photographers than for clients. I once hoped they would entice paying publications to commission my writing services — but I soon learned that no one is actually willing to pay for content anymore. And if I really am writing these articles to benefit other photographers, then do they? Judging from the majority of landscape, editorial and portrait photography I see published, I would have to say “No.” Photography is continuing to devolve unabated into the domain of “illustration” and a competent, though ultimately dull, sameness.
Who reads these articles? ULTRAsomething attracts many thousands of readers every month. Web stats tell me that of my 25 most-read articles, 22 of them are about photographic equipment. I find this both encouraging and discouraging. It’s encouraging because it means photographers are reading ULTRAsomething in hopes of finding a way to improve their photography. It’s discouraging because it means most photographers believe that the path to better photography lies in buying more gear.
Is there any tangible reason to keep writing these articles? I struggle with this question at least once every three months. If these articles make me no money, then why bother? If these articles bring no new business, then why bother? If people skip the crux of this site — the philosophical articles — and read only the equipment reviews, then why bother? So once every three months, I resolve to pull the plug on ULTRAsomething. And once every three months, I break that resolution. Maybe I’m just a masochist. Or maybe I truly believe that, even if people come for the ‘gear reviews,’ they might just hang around long enough to read a few of the more contemplative articles.
Should I consider writing more frequently? Curiously, every time I wrestle with shuttering ULTRAsomething, I begin to flirt with the alternative — writing more articles. Perhaps the problem with ULTRAsomething is that it’s not a blog, but a collection of occasionally published articles on a variety of topics. To build both a loyal and large readership would require that I write all the time — even when I don’t have anything compelling to say. And this has always been my problem with most blogs — the sheer amount of banality, re-blogging, linking and aggregating that’s required to create daily posts. Is that really a good thing? Maybe. Maybe not. But to tackle such an endeavour and infuse each post with at least a modicum of quality would require that I turn ULTRAsomething into a full time job. That means it needs to generate income…
Give the People What they Want
It occurs to me that I cannot answer all these questions alone. My web stats indicate that over half the people who visit ULTRAsomething are repeat readers, so this implies I must have some sort of “fan base.” Some of you even check in with comments now and then, which I really and truly appreciate. Others choose to contact me via email, which is fine (though commenting on an article does have the added benefit of generating more online conversation).
Maybe, instead of trying to decide what I want to publish, I should ask what you want to read?
I have but two goals for ULTRAsomething — one altruistic, and one the opposite:
1. I would like the site to provide value beyond answering “which camera should I buy this month?” I want the site to help photographers think a bit more about what they photograph and why — to become more in touch with their own vision and to worry less about satisfying the fickle demands of the latest Flickr fads.
2. I would like the site to generate income. I will never turn ULTRAsomething into a subscription site, but I do need to pay for its existence and the time I spend developing it. This means something somewhere must be sold to somebody. Whether I sell workshops to readers or eyeballs to advertisers, ULTRAsomething needs to develop a commercial element.
So what do you want to see from ULTRAsomething? A greater emphasis on technique? Maybe more actual photojournalism and less talk about photojournalism? Book reviews? Software evaluations? An increase in the attention given to alternative gear, techniques and methodologies? Or maybe the opposite — more prominence given to the modern? Perhaps you want more architectural photography? Landscape photos? Nudes? Puppies in a basket? Puppies in a basket with a nude? How about guest posts? Workshops? Interviews? Longer articles? Shorter articles? More frequent articles? What about off-topic articles, like a detailed account of my ongoing battle with the incompetent nincompoops at my cellular company who have yet to send me the iPhone I ordered on announcement day?
ULTRAsomething is only half mine — I just write it and photograph for it. The other half belongs to you — since you’re the ones who read it and view it. So what is it you’d like to read and see? I genuinely want to know. Because the more viewers I get, the better my chances of attracting sponsorship, and the better able I am to serve up more of what you want to consume.
ABOUT THESE PHOTOS: A few months ago, I stumbled across the misguided souls in “No. 9 Nightmare,” who were all participating in some sort of ‘street photography’ workshop. It nearly depressed the life right out of me. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to raise my Leica M9 with 28mm f/2 Summicron lens, and take the shot as a reminder of how not to host a workshop. “Another Fringe Event” was also shot with a Leica M9 and a 28mm f/2 Summicron lens, and depicts Granville Street the afternoon before the Fringe television show shot its Season 3 finale. Do not be confused by the Brooklyn Philharmonic sign — many of the locations you see in TV and movies are actually Vancouver masquerading as somewhere else. “Contemplation” was shot just a few days ago, while I was out taking a stroll with my Ricoh GXR and a Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 lens mounted to Ricoh’s new GXR Mount A12 module.
If you find these photos enjoyable or the articles beneficial, please consider making a DONATION to this site’s continuing evolution. As you’ve likely realized, ULTRAsomething is not an aggregator site — serious time and effort go into developing the original content contained within these virtual walls.
Hi,
I think that your Goal #1 is very much in line with what I hope to find on your site. I have begun following rather recently (I believe it was after one of your features on the Leica Blog) and have enjoyed things so far. I really like hearing about how other people think about photo and what it means to them. I love hearing about someone’s process and motivations, I like hearing about the successes and failures of making art. It is all very valuable and helpful as I try and develop myself. I would rather see occasional, well written articles rather than daily fluff, there are plenty of others out there already doing a great job with that.
I thank you for taking the time and courage to put this blog out into the world. It’s something I have come to enjoy and I hope to see it continue.
Oh and of course more, “Puppies in a basket with a nude” please!
cheers,
shawn
Well here goes.
Regards who reads.
Yes I came about your site while gear reviewing. Ricoh GXR. This was mildly by accident the positive being, not because I thought my photography would improve with new gear (GXR) but it would allow me to use some of my OLD gear. The M mount.
Given the tie up with Pentax I now want them to bring out a K mount version.
I have since hung around to munch my way through a lot, but not all (as yet) of the older posts. This has been inspiring and has re-ignited a flame within me. I have dusted off some old but gold manual lens and gone out with that. Oh the forgotten joy of manual focus. Split image and micro prism, what a joy.
Reason to keep writing.
I would now miss it as a means of stimulation and motivation. Found myself checking in daily looking for the next post. Then worked out, you generally once a month.
Write more?
Maybe, maybe not, for all the reasons you have given. Quality vs. quantity.
What do I want?
In a previous e-mail chat while discussing the GXR you said you dodge and burn the hell out of your images. Just like it’s always been done.
I would like a guide/tutorial on your workflow and how you go about producing the images you do. A RAW before and after. The contemplation shot above, how much of that is down to the Voigtlander and how much of it is you’re dodging and burning.
Until reading your comments at the bottom regards the shots above. I had told myself that was one those serendipitous moments, No.9 Nightmare. Asians (first four girls) are never seen with out a cam. I am thinking architectural significance; never crossed my mind it was a “street” course. Sort of makes you smile and cry at the same time.
Jason
I really enjoy reading well-written intelligent articles which show humour and appropriate self-deprecation (not much of it about these days!), so that hooked me. I also enjoy taking snaps and I enjoy relecting on your opinions, so have arranged robot@alert.changedetection.com to tell me when to return for more. Wouldn’t pay to return, sorry!
I like your blog just as it is. I like much the same things about it that previous respondents have mentioned), and I think you take interesting and sometimes beautiful/funny/thought-provoking photos. I aspire to do the same. Your thoughts about how unusual equipment moulds the picture-visualising and taking processes are your unique selling point. Nobody does it as well.
Yes, it would be nice if updates were more frequent – but not if that made them less worth reading.
I found your side by the Leica Blog. Your articles are to the point on a philosophical view on photography and attracted my attention. They explain the thoughts behind a picture, which makes it valuable for me. Quality above quantity I would suggest. Keep putting those thoughts on the net, they are unique.
Making money with the site: Attract traffic, put ads on which are paid for.
Kind regards, Wil.
I would tend to repeat what was said in earlier comments. I will try not to.
What I appreciate when visiting your blog (which I do on a regular basis) is reading (ultra)something that is likely to help me in making photos, in understanding why one makes photos (you, me, other photographers), in giving new ideas, etc.
I’m not really fond of articles on photo gears (there so many pseudo technical blogs on the net) except if it is about using a different gear to make different photos.
I appreciate your opinions on your photos; I would appreciate your opinion on others’. It’s good to enter into a photographer’s mind!
Thank you for this blog, go on, don’t change too much, keep its spirit as it is.
Kind regards,
Christophe
I’ve been re-reading your post and the comments above before leaving my own. “Quality, stimulating, motivating, well written, humorous, beautiful thought-provoking photos” all resonate with me. The reason for my delay in responding to your article is that I realize that I, like the others, find myself asking way too much of you – the self-financed, self-taught, and self-motivated photographer and blogger. While most comments have picked up on the relative infrequency of your posts, and I too click on my “favourites” bar daily in the hope that another EGORian epistle has been dispatched, I am agog at the 82 substantial posts you have accumulated over less than 3 years. Let’s be clear – these are not just “off-the-cuff dash-it-off-in 5-minutes” posts but each is a carefully constructed piece of prose, the result of days if not weeks of rumination and deliberation. Moreover, each article (bar one) is accompanied by finely crafted and delicately post-processed photographs, included to illustrate a point or to accompany the narrative. Rarely have I seen review articles illuminated by photos of such quality. And the captions are themselves works of art (anyone crack “Big Yellow Taxi” yet?).
While the internet is teeming with photography blogs and websites offering news, articles on technique, and gear reviews, I am very grateful that ULTRAsomething provides me with a steady diet of philosophical articles, unashamedly subjective reviews, “road-less travelled” commentary, and inspiring photography. In light of the mainstream rush towards sameness and mediocrity, I am daily astounded that you have not been snagged by an enlightened sponsor or corporate advertiser. I abhor the notion that excellent content should be completely free. And so I feel unable to ask for more than what you are already giving, so long as it is free. But were there to be a way for myself and others to support your efforts with currency rather than comments, I’d love to hear you critique photographs you like (your own and those by others, maybe through a weekly post?), learn more about how you stay sharp and motivated, and read your thoughts about your favourite photographers, about photojournalism, publishing, hockey, politics, art history, the music industry, the bands you follow, banking…you get my drift.
I’ll stop here – lest my comments get longer than the post that provoked them. Suffice to say that were you to add another monograph to keep instinct company (which I am very pleased to own and gladly recommend), or to offer an eBook or workshop, SIGN ME UP!
Thanks to everyone who commented here, on Facebook and through email. It really helps to know which elements appeal to you, and what else you’d like to see from ULTRAsomething. It’s also encouraging to have confirmation that this blog is on the right path… though my accountant would likely disagree. For now, ULTRAsomething will continue to chug along as it has — following the photographic whims and philosophic flounderings of its author.
Going forward, should you read an occasional ULTRAsomething article that reeks of “pandering to the masses,” do not be alarmed. I’m not selling out, but rather just fishing for readers who haven’t yet discovered ULTRAsomething. ULTRAsomething will absolutely not change to conform to the masses. ULTRAsomething will always insist that the masses conform to it. Futile? Of course. But I wouldn’t write this site any other way.
Reading through the archive there is a certain rhythm to these ones.
I love the ones that deal with the why questions, which is most of what you write. 96.23% of photography writers deal with what or how. Even your what and how articles spill generously into paragraphs on why.