Social media has democratized, and in many ways diluted, the internet and the content we see. Photography is one the greatest examples of this, with some cameras advertising built-in abilities to instantly send photos to Facebook, Twitter and wherever else before you’ve had the time to properly look at them. While sharing is an essential part of many photographers’ work, oversharing can lead to unintended consequences.
The oversharer is the type who tends to post photos throughout the day. While these photos can be well executed in composition and exposure, they don’t say anything. They’re more of a visual diary than anything else, and as anyone with a diary knows, you do your best to keep it tucked away.
Perhaps the biggest consequence of oversharing is that it dilutes your value as a photographer, especially if you don’t have a specialty. Not every image needs to be seen, especially when that image is one of a million. I’ve been guilty of this at times. I’ve shared more than I probably should have, and I’ve realized that a discordant body of work can lead to various impressions, not all of them good.
A concise tightly edited body of work is one of the dividing lines between the photographers who get work and those who don’t. That’s not to say, don’t share at all, but moderation is key. The last thing you want is for an image to be something somebody scrolls past.
Good images ought to be seen, but they won’t get proper exposure, if they’re sandwiched between everything else you shoot. An important thing to consider before putting an image online is if it’ll help or hurt how people view you.
Maintain a consistent online presence, one that people want to return to.