Is it about validation?
In the realm of photography, my journey commenced in childhood, capturing moments devoid of instant feedback—a stark contrast to today's social media landscape. Initially, validation came from family, yet the rise of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and 500px ushered in an insatiable quest for validation from a broader, often unknown audience.
Recently, I came across an article advocating the sharing of less popular images. Posting one such image on 500px yielded a mere 2 likes, plunging me into self-doubt. Questions surfaced about the worth of my work, challenging my creative abilities.
... keep reading below
Placating my ego?
In an attempt to placate my ego, I uploaded a cityscape image that garnered nearly 50 likes within a day. This dichotomy prompted introspection: for whom did I create the initial image? Despite my personal connection to it as a piece of art, its limited public approval stirred uncertainty.
As a creator, the perennial query arises: should my art be tailored for commercial success or to express my personal narrative? The pursuit of validation through likes—does it drive me to conform or diverge from my creative vision? The crux lies in realizing that artistic inspiration should not be tethered to the ephemeral metrics of likes, but should spring forth from the unbridled well of creative inspiration itself. The true essence of art lies in its authentic expression, independent of external validations.
