There recently was a bit of a squabble from an anonymous commenter about the number of pictures I post on my blog. The individual thought I post too many pictures and although they enjoy reading my blog, they were starting to like it less because of the amount of pictures I post. On the next outfit post I did, the individual commented again saying that I really should have taken their advice and used less pictures. A bit of an argument broke out between some readers and the individual saying how the person was wrong, and the anonymous commenter proceeded to say that if I created this blog to attract readers, I should take the constructive criticism and post less pictures because it's an unenjoyable part of my blog.
Some parts of this anonymous commter's statements I can agree with. I do post a ton of pictures. Never under ten and usually at an upwards of twenty or so. Sometimes even more. Whenever I'm going through and editing pictures I always try and cut down on the number of pictures I want to post because I realize that I don't want to seem narcissistic by posting so much. I'm not like that and never want to appear to be. I try and encorperate various elements into my pictures such as a full body shot, a half body shot, a close up, and various detail shots. I always look at my posts and realize that I post too many pictures. It's a fact that my blog is highly based on visual images, so I agree with anonymous with the fact that I post too many pictures. The thing I don't agree about? That I should change that.
If you look into the older archives of my blog I would usually never post over five pictures. I had a crappy camera, took three full length shots and two face shots and was done. I wasn't inspired by what I did and was never content with how my outfit posts turned out. About six months ago or so I got a new camera and it was like a whole new world was presented to me. One where I could capture a beautiful moment in time and tell a story with images. I was fascinated and that's when the amount of photos on my blog really started to go up.
I would never in a million years call myself a photographer, but I will say that I love photography and it's such a passion for me. One of the only times I truly feel happy with my life and in a good place is when I'm out taking outfit pictures. I get transported to a place where everything else in my life is blocked out and it's just me, nature, and my camera. I've fallen in love with taking pictures for my blog and as a result I get a bit snap happy. I love capturing every little detail of my outfit. Capturing little snippets of nature around me. Capturing the outfit as a whole and sharing it with you all so you can feel my passion.
I will not and refuse to cut down on the amount of pictures I post on this blog. It is what makes my blog mine and what makes it unique. This is a place to show who I am freely and it should be a place where I can show myself without negativity. The anonymous commenter's first comment was constructive criticism and I appreciate that. The next two comments, however, were out of line and filled with rudeness and attitude. Anonymous, I will not change my blog for you. I will not ever do that for anyone.
I'll admit, I'm probably one of the worst people in the world when it comes to taking constructive criticism. First I get upset and hurt, then I get angry and defensive and deny the fact that I could do anything wrong. In my head I just simply conclude that he or she doesn't know what they're talking about and I then ignore the criticism given to me. I know I shouldn't do that and it's incredibly immature, but it's something I've been trying to work on. All of those feelings I get aside I'm trying to look at anonymous constructive criticism with clear and unbiased eyes to give he or she a fair input.
And I think they're wrong. If someone doesn't like the amount of photos I post on my blog, fine. So be it. I might lose a follower, I might lose two, I might lose twenty. It doesn't matter. One thing you misunderstand, anonymous, is the fact that I did not start this blog to attract followers. You are dead wrong. I started this blog as a place away from the sometimes lonely and uninspiring life I live. A place where I could let loose, be myself, and share my passions with others who have the same common interests. If I choose to let anyone and everyone tell me how to change my blog and what I should do to make them like it anymore, how is it mine? How is there anything that represents me in it...? I don't care if I lose all my followers due to the fact of how many pictures I post. This is my blog and I will be carrying it out as I please. Whether it contains 1 picture or 100 pictures. I'm not going to let someone like you change someone like me.
With much love, Lauren.