Facebook Final Analysis: Me as a Photographer

Facebook Final Analysis: Me as a Photographer

Initially, my Facebook page was created to display my photojournalistic work. Over the course of the semester, I found opportunities to take different kind of photos, so the page evolved into more of a portfolio page of my overall photography. 

I had my friend and DSU student Mike Nagy take the photos of me to give my page a professional look and clearly display what the page was about. Over time, I will create a collage of my work to incorporate into the banner, so all faucets of my page will be displayed. 

I was able to get a total of 45 likes as of when this blog was posted. I did send out page like invites to my friends and family who knew I was doing this project or friends who are also photographers.

Initially for this class, I thought I had to have a new Facebook account, so my friends list is much smaller than my normal account. In hindsight, I wouldn't not have done this.   

I mostly posted my work with a description of what was going on: 

• Albums of work I had done prior to creating the page. 
• Portait photography
• Photos of me that I used to create the page
• Historical information on photography
• Photojournalistic coverage of the dance-permit protest 
• A "Humans of New York" style photography project I did for the Dixie Sun News

I didn't think the albums would get too much attention because it is work that people had seen before, but I felt it was important to include it. The protest photos received the most engagement. The farthest reach was for my DSN project, and I think that is because I added a link to the Sun's Facebook page. 

This shows me that my viewers want to see my work and that it helps to link where my work is published. I could also share links to my Twitter and Instagram as other locations where my photographs are published. 

What I would have done differently: I was conflicted through out the semester on what to publish, but I should have shared links of what I was working on with the DSN. I didn't do too much photography and what I did do was more to accentuate the articles I had written. I could also have taken photos of events I was at for the DSN, and talked about why I was there and what was going on. 

Also, I am feeling more confident in my digital design and editing (in part to having a better computer this semester,) and I would like to start showcasing that area of my work, too.  

As the page progresses, I think it will turn into a portfolio of the different types of work that I do. I will be able to direct people who are interested in my photography to this page. This is convenient because Facebook is so widely used. 

Part of me wishes I would have done a different subject for my page. I didn't feel very successful with this concept. Over the semester, it was difficult to really get an idea down of where I wanted the page to go. It was also hard for me to come up with content ideas. Of course, now that the semester is over, I have more of a direction! When I met with Eric about my page, he asked me to consider what makes me stand out as a photographer and how would I explain, "why I shoot the way I do." In the about me section of my page, I write that photography gives me a way to observe the world. This is why I am drawn to event photography. I don't really care for posed portraits. I like to see movement, emotion, and expression. I also love bright colors in photography. 

Eventually, I would like to get into more artistic fashion photography, where digital design plays a big part. 

In moving forward, I think I will keep up my page. In a heartbreaking turn of events, my uncle whose camera I would use to take my pictures, past away on Monday. My aunt was adamant that he would have loved for me to have his camera and she gave it to me. In his memory, and to show how grateful I am for this gift, I want to keep taking pictures.