Twitter has been at the top of the news cycle since Elon Musk completed his purchase of the company for $44 billion. And although the mere mention of his name stirs a variety of emotions, political opinions, and other reactions, for the sake of this piece, I want to focus not on the political ramifications of his acquisition of Twitter, but rather on how it will impact us as photographers. I am greatly interested, in fact, in some of his proposed changes to the platform and how they may affect photographers and content creators, especially if the change is positive.
2022 has turned out to be a strange year for photographers when it comes to using social media to grow their brands and share their work, especially for those of us who deal primarily in still images instead of the ever-more popular short-form video content. Earlier this year, Instagram notoriously tweaked their algorithm, a move which resulted in still images being suppressed over videos. This was a transparent attempt to compete with TikTok by bolstering video content on the platform, and it was roundly rejected by users, especially photographers. And, although they backtracked after the huge backlash they received from both well-known and unknown photographers alike, ultimately changing the algorithm again and claiming it would treat photos and videos equally, I can tell you anecdotally that my photos still do not have the same reach as they used to prior to their original change. This, however, is the topic for another article.
Then came Vero, an app that has been around for quite a few years, but that never really took off with photographers. Like many others, I opened a Vero account with the intent of migrating my content to the new platform as my primary photo-sharing vehicle, but again, I was disappointed. In my opinion, Vero, although a robust application with a thoughtfully designed interface, tries too hard to be the “Anti-Instagram” and doesn’t seem to have a niche. Personally, I don't find myself posting and updating on Vero nearly as much as I do on Instagram. Additionally, there are still not enough users on Vero for it to become a viable replacement for Instagram.
If you are a content creator as well as a photographer, you may also know that YouTube has jumped on the TikTok bandwagon and is working hard to promote “shorts.” This means that creators like me are now strong-armed into creating a 30- or 60-second video that either previews a long form video or is completely new content. The problem with this is that many shorts wind up being based on a silly joke or other contrived method to get people to notice your channel. I have been doing some of these myself on YouTube and Instagram, but I honestly don’t want to, as I feel like they lack substance for the sake of clicks. For instance, I created a gag short where I joked about how I forget to put the removable battery cover inside of my grip before attaching it to the camera. This short clip received over 3,000 views in the first few hours it was live, which is way above my typical engagement for long-form videos.
To summarize, I’m surely not the only one feeling a bit disappointed in all three of these apps as vehicles to share my photography work and grow my business. And this is why Twitter might just be poised to become the go-to app for photographers and content creators, as Musk has said paid users will get "priority in replies, mentions & search... ability to post long video & audio."
Musk has recently floated the idea of creating an $8/month Twitter subscription. Included in his proposal are a number of features including more robust search, replies, and mentions that do not favor the blue checkmark crowd. This seems to make sense. However, the main feature that piqued my interest is the ability to post long-form videos.
Although the term is overused to the point of becoming meaningless, posting long form videos to Twitter may be the “game-changer” that is needed to not only reinvigorate the platform, but make it a viable alternative to YouTube and Instagram for photographers and content creators. Many photographers already post their work on Twitter, and as most major photographic companies already have Twitter accounts, I think there is great potential for Twitter to take the best that YouTube and Instagram have to offer photographers and reinvigorate both stills and video content in a one-stop shop for creatives.
Additionally, in a response to a tweet by Zuby Music, who suggested that Twitter partner with content creators like other social media sites and allow monetization, Musk replied: "Absolutely." Partnering with creators in conjunction with long-form video and tweaks to the interface to address where other apps are falling short could indeed put Twitter in the position to become the favorite app for us in the photographic industry.
Clearly, there is quite a bit to discuss here, and most of us know that Musk is famous for floating many ideas on Twitter as well as trolling accounts on an almost daily basis. Having said that, if you would have asked me if I thought Musk would really purchase Twitter two months ago, I would have said, “No way.” Yet here we are.
The elephant in the room relates to Musk’s politics, which have a polarizing effect on many users, some of whom even at this early stage, have begun abandoning Twitter altogether. I understand how difficult it is to divorce the politics from the networking site itself, and this is certainly part of the discussion when it comes to the future of Twitter for us as photographers, content creators, and creatives. Will Musk's political leanings prevent potential users from embracing the platform even if he makes it more friendly to photographers and content creators? Or, is Twitter already just too toxic a platform for it to be viable again at all? Only time will tell, but I am interested in hearing what you think about the future of Twitter as an alternative for photographers in the comments section below.
Lead image by Flikr user Steve Jurvetson, used under Creative Commons.
111 Comments
That paywall and "membership" for certain features in a car are used by other manufacturers as well, and will soon become mainstream. Crazy world!
I wouldn't own an EV of any sort. I don't care for them because I'm an old carguy and sound, along with performance is part of a car's 'character'. EVs have the performance, but no soul.
Having said that, you can't deny Tesla's sales numbers. After quite a stumble out of the blocks, they are selling cars like crazy. Apparently, customers aren't concerned about the peripheral stuff.
FYI many car companies are also implementing subscription plans for different features. It's not just a Tesla thing anymore.
I’d rather eat my own balls than use Twitter, it’s nothing more than a troll infested hell hole for politically obsessed angry people who want to waste their life arguing with people who they think are the opposite of them, but are in fact identical.
.
Stuart,
I agree with you about Twitter. I won't use it, either.
But that causes me to wonder ..... what new, trendy platform do you like?
I mean, if you dislike all of the mainstream social media sites, then which ones do you approve of? Which would you recommend?
If someone like myself wanted to use the internet to connect with thousands and thousands of people, with a modicum of time and effort, how would you recommend I go about doing that? What do you think is an acceptable way of accomplishing that objective?
.
I use Instagram Tom, for both photography and music (DJing essentially), I made a pact with myself to only follow content that relates to that and not anybody posting about politics or other divisive subjects (football being another prime example of hell hole). I also don’t follow many people from my personal life either.
On there I post my images I’m happy to share, a few random shots here and there, pictures of my DJ gigs and short videos of new vinyl I’ve been purchasing.
I also use Flickr and will be happy to continue that, as I find it a fantastic photography community and the explore page is great.
.
Stuart,
I also use Instagram. Joined up 4 years ago, and it has proven to be an invaluable resource for my wildlife photography. Why? Because I have met so many people there who also photograph the same wildlife that I photograph, or who photograph the species that I would like to photograph, but have not yet had a chance to do so. It's also a great way to keep in touch with people that I meet in real life.
I just can't imagine Twitter being anywhere near as useful for my purposes. As you said, Twitter is not really about photography or posting images, it is much more about getting digs in or posting real short comments about something. If you want the kind of in-depth posts that are packed with enough information to actually be helpful, then you need to turn elsewhere for that.
.
Yep that’s exactly it, the comment about little digs hits the nail on the head, people looking for insignificant wins.
The good thing with my Insta account is because it’s both photos and music, I can guarantee I have mainly genuine followers, people who actually like what I post regardless of what it is. Funnily enough too, a lot of my vinyl/dj content gets liked by dedicated photogs too.
.
Stuart,
Another thing that I think could be a huge plus for your Instagram account would be your ability to connect with many other DJs, producers, and sound guys.
I mean, I'm sure you could be sending messages back and forth with some very accomplished, full time sound techs, producers, and DJs that you find on Instagram. And you can benefit greatly when they share a lot of in-depth insights with you as a friend and a colleague ..... things they just don't share with the public at large. You could arrange to get together in person to discuss music, or to attend gigs together to collaborate on soundboard techniques, or whatever it is that you music guys call it.
That's how Instagram has worked for me with wildlife photography. I can see a magazine on a newsstand with a stunning photo of a Bighorn ram on the cover, peek inside to see who took the photo, find that photographer on Instagram, and write him a direct message. Before you know it, the successful magazine cover photographer and I are writing back and forth like crazy, sharing tons of information with each other, and maybe planning a photography trip where we can share lodging expenses, etc.
That's just how Instagram works. It's a fast track to develop close personal relationships with the most successful people at whatever field it is that you are interested in. You find someone on the internet, then use Instagram as the vehicle to get to know them in real life. I imagine that it would work the same way with the type of music you are into.
.
For me personally its more finding new music, or old music I hadn't heard before, plus im a bit of a closet gearhead so love seeing peoples DJ setups at home... but you are absolutely correct in what you say, any aspect of what you do, you can tap into advice and inspiration, and connect with people to meet up too.
Ive always found the criticism of the app to be a bit biased or misguided, you just need to keep yourself real with it and not get caught up in the follower/likes thing, that way it stays useful.
.
"For me personally its more finding new music, or old music I hadn't heard before"
I love doing that! I have no musical talent or abilities, but I absolutely LOVE music, and spend a good deal of time seeking out music that is new to me, both new and old. Guess you could call me a music nerd, because I am so into it. Especially love music history and trivia.
"Ive always found the criticism of the app to be a bit biased or misguided, you just need to keep yourself real with it and not get caught up in the follower/likes thing ..."
Yeah, I think that anyone who hates Instagram or is frustrated with it is trying to use it the wrong way, or has weird unrealistic expectations for it. If one uses it as a research tool and as a way to connect personally with others who are passionate about the same things, then it will provide much enrichment to one's life.
But if someone uses it thinking that it is a free way to reach thousands or people so they can market themselves and get more money, then, well, that is foolhardy to use it in that way. If you want to reach thousands of people, then man up and pay for advertising. Duh.
.
At the minute I’m addicted to seeking out old soul, funk and disco 45s.. our charity shops in the U.K. are full of old record collections and then various shops and market stalls have popped up so it makes finding them fun.
.
Stuart,
I am so happy that you mention funk and disco .....those are some of my favorite genres of music.
If you want a real obscure (at least I think it's obscure) treat, look for "Miss Manhattan" by Metropole, and give it a listen. The full version that includes the long instrumental intro. It is on YouTube, and sounds great there.
I don't know how difficult it would be to source an original record of that song. I have tried to research Metropole, but gotten nowhere. I would love to contact some of the band members (whichever ones are still alive) and ask them questions about their experiences with the band, and what all led to the inspiration behind "Miss Manhattan", but I have gotten nowhere with my internet searches.
.
Cheers Tom ill definitely take a look at that one, always up for a new find:)
A few massive tracks for me right now are Al Green - Love and happiness, Ben E King - Supernatural thing and the 1981 disco mix of William DeVaugn - Be thankful for what you got.
A slightly lesser known track is Coke Escovedo - i wouldnt change a thing, i believe the main guy was Santana's drummer too.
Just got it on now, great record, i guess it must have been a Studio 54 track. It looks like it was an Italian disco band judging by the label.
No
100%, now that Elon's taken over, the free speech hating fascists are gone and it's actually a great news source.
.
I don't use Twittter, but friends have told me that if someone on Twitter expresses extreme right-wing comments, they are removed or banned. But if someone expresses extreme left-wing progressive comments, they are allowed to stay up. Is that true?
.
Yes, it's true. And, that's what scares them. It's now a level playing field.
.
Each side should be allowed just as much leeway in what they post. Anything other than that is EVIL.
.
Exactly. Sadly, though, the left wingers and those that make excuses for them don't see it that way. It's their way or the highway; or start shit and play victim when it backfires. Not anymore.
I think a little bit of context is important there though, an extreme right wing opinion is likely to be far more offensive than an extreme left, if we’re talking in extremes.
And by offensive I mean generally offensive to neutrals, not just those of opposing views.
The reality is, both sides are just as idiotic as the other. Both are weak minded because neither can use critical thinking to look at a subject objectively, unfortunately neither can see it.
Forget about extreme views....if you posted about how giving your kids a vaccine isn't a good idea back in 2020 you would be banned for spreading "disinformation" and now countries are seeing how giving Covid vaccines to kids isn't a good idea....
True, to an extreme extent, for example there were groups doxing republican candidates and speakers and organizing crouds to vandalize their homes on Twitter, and their accounts would not get suspended even when reported.
Furthermore during a Joe Rogan interview with the CEO and safety team exec of Twitter afew years ago, examples of the bias of antifa linked accounts doxing and encouraging people to burn homes down and kill, were not suspended, even after being pointed out to the CEO, they simply dismissed the premise and tried to change the subject.
On one video (Steven Crowder attempting to film a change my mind interview), his team was attacked by a group of people, they were able to avoid injuries because the group organizing the attack was doing it on Twitter, and some how organizing the attack didn't violate the rules.
Overall, Twitter has a history of being extremely biased toward the far left.
Many project Veritas leaks and interviews have shown it.
Much of it could even be verified by users, e.g., you can get your account's reach and ability to be visible in comments on tweets as well as search limited vie either an automated or manual flag if your account is seen as conservative leaning. For example, speaking positively about the 2nd amendment can get your account suppressed. Stating that you want the bill of rights applied as written using the understanding of the language of the time of ratification, will get your account suppressed.
Retweeting a story from a right of center source will often get your account flagged, for example articles that spoke positively about the SCOTUS latest 2A ruling were treated the same as if you were Retweeting misinformation.
Just switch to Vero. It's by far the best platform for photographers just willing to share and discover photos - no algorithms, no ads, no bullshit politics.
..... and nowhere near enough people using it to make it a viable research tool like Instagram is. Hopefully, given a few more years, Vero will become much more mainstream, and have hundreds of millions of U.S.-based users. Then it would be great for doing research on various photography, travel, and wildlife related subjects.
Isn't it how Flikr & a few other platforms started? But The minute it picks up, things go down!
I post all my stuff on Twitter. Photos that get 500-1000 likes on Twitter get 20 or 30 on FB and Instagram? Forget it. It's pretty useless.
Just curious, not being judgmental ......
What good are all of those "likes"? I mean, is there any value to getting hundreds, or thousands, of likes? Do those likes provide anything TANGIBLE?
I'm asking because I have never understood what tangible benefit likes provide. And many people complain about likes, the way you have, yet I never saw how a high number of likes was of any value, anyway. Conversely, many people brag about a high number of "likes", as if that is something to be sought after and valued. But again, I never understood what exactly they stand to gain, directly, due solely to a high number of likes.
from what I have been told "likes" count, and a lot, for people in commercial photography in top level magazines, publicity campaigns in large corporate agencies, and the like. They are one of the first things that the agencies etc look at... not so much to see how popular they are, but to watch for changes.... sudden rises or drops. Drops are the most important. If photographer "X" suddenly drops 5,000 likes a shot, people talk, panic on the street. If there is a regular disparity, bad news. No magazine or agency is going to take the chance. A friend of mine suffered from an Instagram glitch some time back. She lost thousands of followers in three days when she was negotiating a deal with a n agency regarding a cosmetic house.... she got her numbers back, but lost the contract and they told her why. She had worked with them before, but it made no difference.
Another friend has an apoplectic fit if the numbers fall suddenly....
I do not trust Musk, and I will not pay to have my work stolen. I do not have a Twitter account now and I'm getting rid of my Flickr account as they have raised my rate for the last 3 years. My account went from $35 USD a year to $71.99 USD a year.. So I'm moving to VERO. Luckily I kept my Zenfolio account where my rate is Grandfathered in, and I get a lot more, blog, website, video and more.
Say good bye twitter, good bye twitter
Interesting article. I didn't know about the algorithmic changes in IG and I had never heard of Vero before. As for Twitter, I can't envision it as an art platform but who knows? A few interesting changes and the winds might change.
Overall, I really don't like social media. I post rarely just to make my accounts somewhat relevant. Still waiting for THE platform, where great talents from all over the world will gather and showcase their photos in true sizes & quality.
"The elephant in the room relates to Musk’s politics, which have a polarizing effect on many users, some of whom even at this early stage, have begun abandoning Twitter altogether."
They are the same kinds of people that keep threatening to move to other countries. They eventually come back or never really leave in the first place. They are just upset they no longer can get opposing viewpoints deleted at the wave of a wand.
The new owner is doing his best to alienate at least of half of Twitter users, and possibly half of Tesla buyers too. One of his first acts as the new owner of Twitter was to personally promote a bizarre conspiracy theory. Today he's telling users to vote Republican tomorrow ... any Republican, doesn't matter which.
--- "Today he's telling users to vote Republican tomorrow ... any Republican, doesn't matter which."
Everyone should be doing that. There may be some bad Republicans, but, there are no good Democrats.
Yikes. Such profound moral impairment.
Jeepers creepers, talk about burying your head in the sand and pouring cement around it.
I have precious little time to entertain idiots. You have exhausted your allotted time.
I have exhausted my allotted time? Truly, Yikes! :D
Yes, seriously (without the weezing). Projection at its finest. Talk about turning a blind eye as the Democrats ran this country to the ground.
Oh, I see, you are just parroting what the Democrats and their failing media cronies have laid out for you. You poor guy. Can't think for yourself. If you did, you'd see through the false narratives.
And, that's Ultra MAGA to you, mister.
I commend you for choosing a screen name that shows your solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
Dang, talk about grasping at straws. You reek of desperation, trying to relate the word "Black" with that domestic terrorist and fraudster group, Black Lives Matter, to which the Democrats coddled.
I'll have you know, you silly goose you, I've had that screen name since 2006:
https://www.350z-tech.com/members/black-z-eddie.34976/
You get a gold star if you can figure out how I came up with that name.
Hint below:
Ditto, bucko.
You named yourself after a black Japanese car? Seems very unlikely. But I hear ya. Sometimes people choose a screen name to show solidarity with a group, and it later becomes awkward for them, so they come up with a new explanation for how they chose the name.
Don't worry, your secret is safe here. Your MAGA friends will totally believe the story about the Japanese car.