Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram...Shall I go on? Technology has progressed significantly in the past decade and has brought with it an array of social media outlets. Now, not only can you be heard through your status updates on Facebook, or your tweets on Twitter, but you can really give it your all with a blog on Tumblr, your favourite items to 'Pin' on Pinterest or share your photos at the hit of a button with Instagram. And of course you're a professional photographer when you use Instagram. I mean really, check out that lighting, sepia...how fascinating!
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How do you know which is right for you? Personally, I decided that I must be an active member in each and every one. Some I may indulge in a bit more than others. It's like when someone brings a box of donuts into the office and yeah, you're gonna want to eat them all, but you're going to pick your favourite and really go to town on it. That's beside the point though, what I'm trying to say is I have an addiction to Tumblr. Tumblr is a place where everyone has a voice and people from all over the world host their blogs.
Now you'd think I would in fact be writing on this blog, but that's not the case. Instead I'm wandering aimlessly through the blogs of other individuals and simply re-posting images I like, or literature I adore. Yes, I used 'like' for images and 'adore' for literature. As I should...it's a blogger's website here, people! But, blogging has strayed away from just the technical aspect involved in writing. Now there's an expectation that not only should you be able to write your thoughts, but you darn well better include photos! Nobody, it seems, wants to stare at a page of writing anymore. Not unless it's going to resemble that of a picture book. Tumblr is just that, it's an online picture book, filled with talented individuals (perhaps some not so talented...) who just need to get their thoughts out in a variety of ways. Tumblr has achieved huge notoriety for this and quickly jumped to the top of the list in any bloggers world. As for me, it's become a place for me to document my likes rather than host my thoughts.
I tend to shy away from publicly displaying my thoughts. It's a predicament actually. I enjoy writing, I want to write, yet I'm terrified at the thought of having anyone read my writing. In contrast, once I do write I feel it's useless if I'm not doing anything with it and I feel as though I should post it to be seen. It's a vicious fight, myself against my words. Generally the fight ends up with the writing in the trash can, never to be seen again, because I can't bear the thought of having it remain stagnant.
Now I have posted a couple of short posts on Tumblr before, just a quick run down of my days. Those 'pieces' didn't last long though. If I'm going to share some writing, it better be somewhat interesting. Not useless information about my day. Who really cares about anyone's day? Especially mine. It has got to be interesting, it has got to be humorous, and once more you better have some photos. Writers can't simply be writers now. No, you had better know how to work that $2000.00 Nikon or be incredibly talented at sniping others' photos to jazz up your own blog. Which, I must say I have succumbed to here and there (giving credit where necessary, of course.) Tumblr gives you the option to re-post other photos and still give credit to the source. Which is fantastic for people like me who are slightly (okay, very) camera challenged. This is the point though! It's meant to be a place where people can share their favourite images and it can be considered a compliment when your image gets re-posted, because it means that people like your photos! Tumblr feeds people's narcissism and through sharing and re-posting and liking, that ego of yours may or may not explode. You've really done it, taken over the 'digital forest' of blogs.
It seems each social media outlet can relates to our egotistical aspects. Everyone wants more followers, more likes, re-posts, re-tweets... Let's be honest, the driving factor behind having your own blog or any sort of social media, is that you want to either be seen or showcase yourself. Or you may be one of those individuals who just likes to see different work to motivate yourself and be inspired through the creativity of others. I sure enjoy seeing what other people have to say.
The world is a host to some incredible people and through the internet we are able to witness more than we ever could before. Basically what I'm getting at, (long-winded, I know) is that perhaps a blog may be a good idea for you, whether or not you intend to write. Like I said, it's a photo heaven, so you don't need to be a person of many words. Feed your ego and your creativity people! With the technological advancements in today's society and the connectivity through the internet you never know what you will stumble or TUMBLE upon (Pun intended- ha!)
Adrienne Brabandt
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