Social media can be a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to sharing your creative work. Posting your photos online may help build an audience and gain exposure, but the impact on creativity and mental well-being can be surprisingly negative. Lately, some creatives are rethinking their approach to social media, looking for alternatives that don’t rely on addictive algorithms or compromise ownership of their work.
Coming to you from Adam Karnacz of First Man Photography, this thought-provoking video explores why Karnacz chose to quit Twitter and Instagram and the unexpected benefits he’s experienced since. He explains how platforms like Twitter/X prioritize engagement over meaningful interaction, pushing shocking or negative content to keep users scrolling. Over time, Karnacz realized that this constant exposure to upsetting or irrelevant content was harming his focus and motivation. The final straw came when Twitter updated its terms to allow the use of user-generated content, including photos, to train AI models—without permission or payment. For Karnacz, this policy shift highlighted how little control creators actually have over their work on these platforms.
The video goes beyond just Twitter, addressing similar issues with Instagram’s algorithmic focus on short videos and ads over quality photography. Karnacz notes that Instagram’s pivot to prioritize video content means traditional photo posts are often ignored by the algorithm unless they generate a specific amount of engagement. For anyone hoping to share high-quality photography, this shift makes it nearly impossible to gain meaningful recognition. Instead of encouraging discovery, the algorithm favors content that keeps people on the platform longer, reducing images to fleeting content in a never-ending scroll. This emphasis on quantity over quality can leave you feeling unfulfilled and undervalued.
One of the most interesting parts of Karnacz’s experience is the freedom he’s found since stepping away from these platforms. Without the pressure to constantly post, he’s been able to focus on creating images and videos that matter to him. This new approach has made him feel more optimistic and engaged with his work, and he’s noticed less burnout and a greater sense of creative control. The switch has also led Karnacz to rethink how he shares his photography, choosing instead to feature his latest work on his personal website, where he can curate the experience without interference from algorithms.
For Karnacz, a decentralized, algorithm-free platform like Nostr offers a potential solution to the limitations of mainstream social media. Here, he can share his work without worrying about censorship or shadowbanning, and he’s even noticed a budding community of photographers. By choosing a platform that doesn’t push addictive behaviors, he can check in when he wants, enjoy the content, and leave without feeling trapped in a cycle of endless scrolling. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Karnacz.
