The Future of Big Photo Hunt (and the 50/50 Rule)

Posted by Andrew Bailey on the Big Photo Hunt community board.

Have you ever made a social media post and gotten the obligatory friend likes without really being sure that anyone read it? It happens. For the best of reasons and for some of the old selfish ones, too. We want to encourage our friends and be encouraged by them. Sure. Maybe even make new friends in the process. And we want our share of likes, too. We’ve been nearly conditioned to prize them, like Pavlov’s dogs.

But eventually you might find yourself wondering, "Are people really looking at, thinking about, and caring about what I do?"These people you mostly know only by their work. Strangers with a kindred interest and inclination. Well, are you investing real attention yourself? The answers shape the difference between an attaboy grist mill and a genuine community that grows, together.

Look, I don’t always tell you why I liked your photograph, or what ideas I have that you might consider trying. Sometimes I’m thinking, “That’s pretty good,” and I want you to know, but that’s all I have in the moment. I get it. But I mostly try to do more, because I want you to know I’m paying attention. I’m invested in this process of encouraging one another, learning from one another, of helping and being helped. I’m confident a lot of you are, too. So, I try to leave a why or an idea as often as not.

I think, even on a busy day, even if it lessens the number of likes you leave, a 50/50 rule for comments isn’t the worst idea, a way to work at shaping a growing community. At least every other like, say something. Even it it's only, "That's a great use of X". Imagine yourself receiving that feedback along with the all-purpose thumbs-up(s). Which one feeds your impulse and encourages you more in this journey of ours, makes you feel more a part of something, as opposed to a participant in a thing?

I think we all know the answer. So...

We love this art and hobby of ours, or we wouldn’t be here. Let’s go the extra mile (at least half the time) to see the best possible outcome for it and for all of us, to make a neighborhood and good neighbors out of the lot of us, in this uncommon, common thing we do. And, if it helps, think of it as a habit with dividends.