“Why do you blog?” he asked. The “he” in this case is a very successful photographer, but also someone who is what I would describe as a “searcher.” Always looking for meaning, purpose, always looking with slight skepticism at what we are told we need to be doing. I think he was asking because he was curious about what was “in it for me.” I don’t think he thought my answer would be what it was.
“It’s about me, not about them.” “I do it because I love it.” “Blogging is the single best thing I do online,” I added. I mean it. I truly love this site, and I love creating posts, daydreaming about what might be interesting and reading books to build knowledge I can share.(Gil Eannes was the first sailor to round Cape Bojadar in Morocco, thus opening up southerly Atlantic sailing routes, 1435.) This site is really about me, not you, but don’t think you aren’t part of the machine because you very much are. Yes, I get to create the material that lands here, but my primary goal is to educate, share, motivate and explore the nonsense traveling about inside my skull.
You are of interest to me. I guess this is what I’m getting at. I’m interested in your wallet, kinda, and wondering what I have that would be of monetary value but this question has been far in the background of my operation since the 2002 beginning. What I’m more interested in is your success, your failure, your belief, and your questions, but all of it is greedily filtered through ME. It has to be.
Me, not you, at least initially. The reason this is the case is that I want this to be honest. If I had the audience as my primary driving goal I would not be able to create something personal, something honest and something sustainable. You are fickle in some ways. You have a short attention span. You are interested in things I am not. But I love you. Don’t ever forget that. And your participation here is critical.
The odd thing is I don’t really care how many of you there are. I love it when I get a response because it means someone found something of relevance, but that’s where it stops. I don’t look at you with a pork chop over your head, like an object I can suck dry, maximize and discard. I know what I should write about if my primary goal is to meet more of you, but most of the time I don’t really have any interest in those topics, so if there are fewer of you I’m okay with that.
My blogging strategy, according to most of the experts, is a death sentence for audience development, but again, that’s okay with me. Ultimately the buck starts and stops with me. My goal is to make sure you feel like you are getting a full meal for your buck. Nothing with pink slime.
This site is going to take on entirely new relevance in the coming months. I’m not entirely sure what this will look like but it will happen. Stay tuned. Until then I will selfishly continue to think about me, not you, at least at the beginning.
Comments 22
I read your blog primarily because of your book recommendations. (Currently reading “The War on Peace”) I have upped the amount of time I read now that I am retired and don’t want to waste time on trash. My strategy has been to get a few books from the library, start them and if they aren’t worth my time or are uninteresting to me, I stop reading. It also helps that I have a daughter and son in law who are high school English teachers. However, your book suggestions resonate with me a large percentage of the time. Thank you!
Author
Alan,
Good to hear. I love the book section. I’m working on a new book that has really hooked me in. And the author has MANY more books under his belt so I’m guessing I might be on a spree.
I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for quite while. I get giddy when I open my e-mail and see that you’ve posted. I’ve drawn inspiration here to shoot for self, print and repeat. Looking forward to see where this space goes and I’ll definitely be along for the ride. Thanks Dan!
Author
Tracy,
Wow, so nice of you to say. There will be MUCH more photography related posts in the near future. Once I get to NM and get cracking.
I always read and enjoy your posts! Best wishes from the UK.
Author
Much appreciated Richard. Much more on the way, and a lot more photography related work.
Cool photo!
Author
Thanks Alan.
Timely post. I just responded to a few posts back. That response could be applicable here as well. I do enjoy this site very much and I think it’s because it is honest and with no pretense. Don’t let this get to your head though. I’d turn you off with my fickle self in a freakin’ heartbeat.
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Hayden,
Buy my stuff!
Oh good question. Why do I read your blog again?? Oh yeah! So I can just use you as excuse for committing to anything photography! All I have to say to my wife is “Oh, remember the Brad Pitt guy? He recommended it.” (Yup, you’re branded as the Brad Pitt guy in our home, I guess there’s a resemblance and I take full advantage of it) and then she responds with “Ahhh… when are we meeting this guy?” “Eventually, maybe.”
Thanks Dan for making my life that much easier and keep bloggin’!
Author
Mathieu,
I once ran from a vanload of people who thought I was him. It started out funny and rapidly turned not-so-funny when I realized the length at which they would go to get to me. I ran. Jumped a fence and hid behind a huge tree in an abandoned hotel parking lot. The worst part was a friend saw me and watched the entire thing. I made me realize what it must be like for these famous folks on a daily basis. And this was before phones were so much a part of our lives.
Oh boy, I wouldn’t trade anything to be in any of those celebrity’s shoes, I can’t imagine having to constantly hide from the world.
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Mathieu,
Me too.
As a long time reader from the Smogranch days to when it transitioned to Shifter as it is today, I love reading all of your posts on this site. There are many websites out there which just create a lot of noise with nothing more than repeating the same content in a slightly different version. Yet Shifter and Smogranch before it (in my opinion) creates a signal worth tuning into, which inspires, educates and makes you stop and think.
I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve recommended someone to view this site and read it’s content and I’m looking forward to the transition again that I’m sure will come after you moving out of L.A and perhaps clearing your mind of a little smog 🙂
Keep up the great work and I still hope one day we get to meet in person.
Author
Paul,
Wow, thanks for the kind words. Your name has been here since the beginning.
I also want to say a huge thank you for the work that you have put into this site and your commitment to making, shooting and teaching. Like Paul, I’ve also been a reader (though merely a lurker) since Smogranch.
Your writing had been so helpful in forming my approach to photography — in particular your ‘done is better than perfect attitude’ cured a bad case of perfectionism — one that led to a lot of big ideas, but no good pictures. I made my first blurb book — as a full stop to a project I shot in Athens in 2016 — as a direct result of this website. I plan to walk across Sicily later this year, eating pasta and shooting pictures and I already know that the end product will be a book.
Lest the above seem too worthy — the book/truck/yoga/adventure stuff is great too, not to mention the podcast/videos. I look forward to hearing more about your new project and the change of scene.
Thank you and keep it up! (I’ll probably comment again in another seven or so years.)
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Oliver,
Wow, thank you and you are very welcome. I’m just grinding it out! Your Sicily walk sounds fun. I’ve been many times but never did any athletic anything. Just made pics. I’m jealous.
I swore I wasn’t going to sign up for any more email notifications until I got a handle on the mess that are email inboxes these days. I’m breaking that promise today. Really enjoying your site. (Anyone out there know of anyone who has an effective, simple, minimal strategy for email?)
Author
Hey Scott,
I’m really glad I am the one who derailed your tidying up attempt. I know exactly how that feels. Glad you are here.
Well, I’m another keen reader of your posts. Especially your dispatches are good for inspiration, be it for photography or creativity. Every day is a school day. One thing is clear to me now. I need to create more books!
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Duncan,
Start small, keep it fun and you are on your way.