With Places like Flickr, Facebook, Twitpic, etc., Why would anyone need to start a photoblog?

It’s a great question.  Especially if only about 13% of photoblogs last once their started, is there really a need or desire for them?

Back in 2003 when photoblogs started to boom, the photoblog was seen as a way to simply show your own pictures.  You’d post a photo per day, or something like that.  The photographers motivated enough then, are now photoblog rockstars.  And what they did, was post everyday, all year, for 6 years.   You can see the dedication.  Although, there was no notion of making money from it at that point that I am aware of.

You can go all the way back on Sam’s Photoblog (Daily Dose of Imagery) and see what he was posting in 2003.  While the photographs are great, he’s exploring creativity.  You can also see a difference in quality from then til now.  This is both the result of his increasing skill, because is constantly using his camera, and because of technological improvements to digital cameras.  In the future, I do want to bring my readers here an interview with Sam, and a few other photoblog rockstars. My questions for the interviews would be a bit different than the interviews I have seen in the past.

The point I am slowly making, is that a photoblog can become much more than a Flickr, Facebook, or Twitpic account.  Having one account or the other doesn’t make a difference either.  You can upload your photographs all over the internet, but a photoblog is a place to call your own.  People don’t need to register, or sign in to view the images you took the time to take and post online.

Do You have A Creative Urge?

So why start? It’s the same reason you start anything. Because you have a burning passion, or creative urge that will not go away.  I’m not kidding either, that creative urge is not going to leave.  Even if you havn’t picked up a camera since you were a teenager, on your 35th birthday you’ll be given a digital camera that reignites the internal desire to be creative.

The thing is, you bought your digital camera and spent 200-5000 on the thing.  You want people to be moved by the images you create and a photoblog allows room for people to grow with you on your photographic journey.  If you start a photoblog thinking you’re going to sell a constant supply of prints, that’s awesome, and all the best if that works out.  Monetary gain is something that will take time to happen.  This may be why so many photoblogs slow to a halt.  But remember, you don’t have to add photographs every day.

Consider the act of starting. It only takes one photograph to start a photoblog(I can even help you).  Build up the momentum, and show people that your in it because you love it. Miss a few days! You’re human. Remember that it is okay to show it!

2 Quick Case Studies

Here are 2 photographers that started a photoblog and are now reaping the rewards.  If you know of other photoblog photographers that are in a pretty awesome position now, let me know in the comments or on twitter!

Trey Ratcliff

Started out Stuck in Customs photoblog and look what he’s doing now. He’s changing the game for HDR photography, launching a book with his Photographs, and launching a new site called HDR spotting very soon.  All of this recent awesomeness, started with his photoblog. He posted photographs on a regular basis and created a following.  He’s branched out and doing great things for everyone.  And it’s only going to get better for him.

David Nightengale

David started Chromasia as a regular blog, but the pictures started to become more dominant.  His photography is outstanding, and having the photoblog gave him the reason to take more and more photographs.  It pushed him to keep updating, especially has his viewership increased.  By the way, it was about 6 months of blogging before he converted it over to photoblog.  So, it’s important to remember that time is a necessary evil.  Today, Chromasia has photoshop tutorials for photographers with different options for getting access to them.  He’s turned the photoblog into a way to run his business.

Can you think of more reasons for starting up a photoblog today? Why did You Start? Please feel free to comment if you’ve started up and especially if you thinking of starting a photoblog.  I’d love to here what you want to know before you start!

Remember the best time to plant a tree was 50 years ago. If you havn’t started already, give it ago.   You may be surprised by where it takes you.