Hi all. So this week I started out on YouTube (links at the end). There’s a couple of reasons why so keep reading, but before I go into details I’ll start by saying this is a bit of a strange choice for me given that I find it quite difficult putting myself out there. I wouldn’t call myself an introvert but I’m not too far off. Every Twitter post I make, this blog, it all sends a small shiver down my spine sometimes. What if people don’t like what I write, or if I annoy/upset someone. It’s difficult, but here I am writing a blog because I also get some enjoyment from it. It’s quite cathartic. Likewise, I like to share my images and the best way to improve is to get feedback.
So why did I start out on YouTube? For that I’m going to rewind a little.
Shortly after creating this website I created a Ko-Fi page (if you want to get technical I created a Buy Me A Coffee page first and then switched because the URL is shorter, see: https://ko-fi.com/scottlyons). Let me be honest here, the reason I created a Ko-Fi page is a source of income to support my photography. You ‘Buy me a coffee’ and I get money. That money goes towards photography gear, books, other learning material etc etc. Things to support my photography. Ever since I’ve created it I’ve been feeling like I need to give something back. What do you get out of it? I mean, if no one ever ‘buys me a coffee’ am I going to quit photography forever? Very unlikely. But I’m guessing to support me someone wants to feel like they’re getting something different, and I much prefer earning that support.
So reason number one for creating a YouTube channel….to give something unique back rather than the odd picture post on twitter. As said I’m a bit of an introvert, so I’m not planning on being the next Peter McKinnon or Nigel Danson. Instead I’m uploading short videos of me editing the pictures that I post to Twitter with the hope that someone watches them and gets something out of it.
Which brings me to reason number two. I’m not afraid to say that I’m not the world’s greatest photographer (sorry to burst that bubble). I’m learning, and I will forever be learning. Everyone is on a journey, and everyone is at a different place on that journey. So while someone might watch my videos and think, ‘oh, so that’s how he reduced the saturation in the sky and not the foreground,’ others might watch and have a good laugh at how pitiful my technique and editing skills are. The nicer ones will give me feedback and suggest how I can improve and grow. And isn’t that all we’re after at the end of the day? An honest review of our photographs so that we can better ourselves?
The final result of the first edit I made with a YouTube recording. Why a goose? Why not a goose…
The second end result. I remembered to do a before and after at the end of this one but think I could highlight that better.
At the end of the day I hope to produce something that someone out there can enjoy as much as I do. So without too much more waffling I present my YouTube channel (more to come soon hopefully): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYUAjXaxRXoL-vg3JZ3KDXA
And if you do like what I’m doing consider supporting me by ‘Buying me a coffee’ here: https://ko-fi.com/scottlyons
0 Comments