Back in January 26th, 2009 I got side tracked. I was a book writer and a working photographer. The economy had just ground to a halt and I had time on my hands so I started writing this blog. I'm not sure what I intended to say, what the long term goal was or what I thought I would get out of the practice.
To date I've written over 720 entries; some bad and some good. Some popular (the gear reviews), some contentious (anything about the death of the commercial photo industry), and some largely ignored (the ones about inspiration, art for arts sake, personal growth and inquiries into what propels and sustains us).
I've been lifted up by a dedicated core of readers who like my style and what I've written and I've had days when I wanted reach through the web and throttle the hit-and-run, anonymous posters who can be insulting and belittling. A fair tradeoff given that no one signed a contract, no one has expectations and people can sign on and off at any time.
I know I could "monetize" the blog and make some money from the content but that's not really what I had in mind when I started.
Yesterday I posted a piece about the Olympus EPM1 camera (which I liked) and, mixed in with genuine responses was a post by someone who liked the photos of an attractive woman but felt that the rest of the blog was of little value. His/her comment really bothered me. In the age of free content I guess we need thick skins but it made me step back and really think about how I was spending my time.
I should have been on the phone continuing to make calls to prospective clients. I should have been working on the two book projects I have in front of me. I should have been swimming or running. But instead I was writing a piece about a $499 camera that will be obsolete in a few months and lost to nearly everyone's memory in a year.
Sure, there's an ego reward that goes along with putting out a blog. On a good day we'll have 12,000 pageviews of the material here. My name recognition among photographers is currently strong. If I liked doing workshops that would be a good thing. If I had products to sell to other photographers that would be a good thing. But the time spent here is time stolen from things that are more important for me.
We had a good run. Now I'm turning my attention back to where it should have been all along: How to re-invent what I do to make it fun and sustaining for my family.
I'm done spending time creating content for free. It's a great way to make friends I never get to meet. Putting something out to the public is a two edged sword. Some people love it and some people will argue with anything.
I'm keeping the VSL blog site open because people seem to be coming more and more to also read the older articles I've written. I intend to drop by from time to time to toss in something I think is important but the era of daily posts, equipment reviews and the wide open embrace of anonymous barbs and arrows has come to an end.
Thanks for reading. Thanks responding. Now get up off the damn couch and go shoot.
262 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 262 of 262Kirk,
I'm sorry to see the end. Thank you for all of the insightful words. I love your photos of Belinda.
-mike
I've enjoyed reading your articles. Please don't go cold turkey on the blog. Go on hiatus to recharge your inner photographer's batteries if you must.
I hope you will continue to add to the blog now and again when you take a break from other projects.
Sorry - I have not read the previous posts. But to say in your post that the many posts are largely ignored (the ones about inspiration, art for arts sake, personal growth and inquiries into what propels and sustains us) just means that you did not see as many responses, no? It does not mean the posts were felt.
I watched you for a while, then got busy, but I think you may still have some things to say...
Hey Kirk,
I totally understand, and distractions can be a bad thing for a person who must work to earn his living, both at the product and the need to get work.
I have always enjoyed your writing style and opinion, so i look forward to your occasional post.
Good luck with all your endeavors.
I hope you come back at some point.
You're one of the saner, more intelligent voices on the internet where photography is concerned.
I'll look for your occasional columns on The Online Photographer.
Enjoy life.
I'd written a really glowing and heartfelt post here earlier today, but I didn't see it here,now. It must not have published.
I'm sorry to see you go,Kirk. Your blog has given me much to think about. You've done more good than you know.
Consider monetizing it,instead of abandoning it.
Write me,sometime.
Mark Nelson
VSL has always been interesting and thought provoking. Images and associated musings have been illuminating and transforming. (And many of your weird-Austin images give me late 70s Chapel Hill/Carrboro flashbacks.) Your balanced treatment of tech is refreshing - appreciation of old/new school, vendor pro/con, right tool for the job. Nice way for us ameteurs to glimpse behind the wizard's curtain into the hard knocks of pro photography.
This is my first response to your blog. I have never posted any comments before. Though VSL is one of the few sites i go to everyday without fail.
Perhaps it a change you wanted from the daily updates you felt compel to provide your readers. It's perfectly understandable. Take care and May God bless you.
Ps. i do hope to see your posting once in a while. You are a good writer and a great photographer.
Kirk;
You may feel that you have been wasting time better spent on earning a living; not so. Most folks have a sphere of influence that is only as wide as their family and a few friends. Reading these many comments must let you know that your influence is global. Appreciate that as we have appreciated you. I am in my eighties and have just accepted your admonition to walk up to people on the street and ask if I may photograph them. It is still a nerve twister but I've found out it works. Thanks Kirk. I'll drop by now and then to see what else you can talk me into.
Kirk,
On one hand, the selfish hand, is very sad to read this post. I for one love your blog and have followed you for what seems like ages. Your articles are fantastic, and come from the heart, which is the best place for advice and opinions to come from. I love seeing your photographs and reading your posts. This blog will be sadly missed.
Then the other hand says go for it... I can't wait to read your books, and see more of your photographs... If it is taking you away from what you love, then it is time to dump it...
Perhaps you could just post more pics and less words... just thinking out loud now...
Thank you for your wonderful work.
Regards,
Len Metcalf
I have read your blog every now and then, and always enjoyed on your stories and images. I can understand your decision. All the best, and thanks for sharing.
Pekka
Finland
hi kirk, thanks so much for sharing your insight and teaching points!
I completely understand. As someone who gets more than 1,000 hits a day but usually NO comments, I often fall into the "why am I doing this?" crisis. The only thing that keeps me going is to remind myself of how it helps me (forces me to shoot things I'm not paid to shoot, helps me explore new ideas, etc.). You can feel used (like people only want you for your product reviews) but you owe your readers nothing. You obviously have the drive to do great work, so maybe that will lead you back to a re-imagined blog after you take a break.
Another thank you from a loyal if silent reader. What I already have learned from you has been so valuable, about people and photography both. If you choose to share again in the future, I will be a happy reader. If not, you have already given me a great deal. I do appreciate the courage it takes to share openly with a large unknown audience. But us "unknowns" are mostly good folk as you can see from the comments!
Dear Kirk,
I highly appreciate what you've offered to this community: sharing your experience, expertise and creativity as a professional - at zero cost.
As an enthusiastic amateur I've been reading your blog regularly for about two years. I share your mindset, I like your style and I like your topics, especially the non-technical/inspirational subjects you've written about - thank you!
Kirk, you inspire and enlighten me - I'll miss you a lot. Hope to see you back sometime, somewhere in the future. All the very best to you, to your family and to your business.
Thorsten Evers
Berlin, Germany
Kirk, your blog has been an inspiration, enjoyed all your thoughts and wil miss my morning read, but must agree that we need to get off our couches and start shooting. All the very best and all power to you
Regards
Walter
You will be missed! While I wasn't always in agreement your posts were always insightful and interesting. One of the few photography blogs with a unique point of view.
You had become a staple of my morning - in the office before everyone else, to enjoy a quiet coffee and read my regular sites, those flashy light guys David and Joe. Check Mr Arias to see if anything had been posted and of course yours. Each day images, words, thoughts, commentary. All worth reading. Will wait patiently now for those few posts that will appear when it draws you back. Kinda like cutting back on coffee but you still have to have at least one a day !!
Good for you Kirk! I had a similar realization a few weeks ago. My still photography business dried up in 2008 and I have been working in film and post since.
What I realized is that there are still a good amount of still work to be had, just got to look for it in new places, time to reinvent yourself.
But the most important thing I realized is this -
#1 Market
#2 Shoot
#3 Forget social media
#4 Market
#5 Get paid
#6 Market
Unless you're going after a retail market (weddings, portraits) social media does not really pay.
Let me know how it goes and good luck,
Giulio Sciorio
giuliosciorio.com
I'm sorry to read this. I've followed your thoughts/teaching/writings for a very long time...the free ones on thia blog as well as those on your books I bought.
I, too, will get off the damn couch and go shoot.
We will all miss your writing and expertise Kirk. The real loser here is Olympus. You could have become their "Evangelist" and would have helped Olympus far beyond whatever support they would have given you. I am amazed how business in general under values well written blogs.
Hi,
I have just started in photography, and read a review on your blog and liked your style.
I also note you an an author.
I had thought about buying some of your books as a present for one of my friends who aspires to be a professional photographer.
I fully understand what you are saying about monetisation, but you could do more about monetising this blog.
A popup to capture an email and subscribe to a mailing list where you could announce you new book, or affiliate offers on their training materials.
You write very well, and I will miss your writing and your views.
Maybe you could look at the blog in a more cold commercial way, and use it to "drive sales"? I hope so because if you don't I'll miss your writing.
Thank you very much for coming up here, I write from Spain, a little far right, but here we also have an interest in photography. I enjoyed your articles about photography, I also learned a good number of things.
I would encourage you to continue, I will not remove your link of my favorites, I hope to continue wrote.
Thanks and regards
Sharing insight and information is a selfless act that not all photographers have the courage to do. At some point we have all benefitted from those photographers who have who have felt the need to pay it forward. You have done your part and you have done it well.
Gee, I will miss your quips. I always thought you wrote a blog because you enjoyed it. Not to give out free info to everyone.
Will miss you
Debbi
PS I'm not on a couch and I shoot everyday (for your info)
Hi Kirk,
thank you very much for all the interesting posts you've written and all the beautiful pictures you showed. I really enjoyed stopping by and read something different about photography than in most of the other places on the net. Especially about art an vision and creativity. It was always very motivating to read, and be reminded to keep an open mind and try new and different things. Besides, without your blog, i probably never would have bought any of your books ;-) Thank you very much, and best wishes and good luck for your future.
Serendib
Göttingen, Germany
I have hundreds of photography blogs in my feed reader, but ever since I discovered your blog about a year ago, yours is the only one where I read ever single post. Sometimes it's a week or two later, but I read every post.
I like your writing style. I like your passion for photography, which seems to know no bounds. Whether it is the gear, the art, the process, the subjects, or the business of photography, you seem to love them all and have found a way to write about them all with great skill.
It makes me sad that there will be no more. I hope someday you get sidetracked again.
So, we had the J.D. Salinger of photographic writing giving us free wisdom (and beautiful writing) and we let him slip through our fingers. I feel guilty because I forgot that everyone needs feedback and I never told him how much the blog meant to me. Until it was too late. Lesson learned.
Kirk,
I love your blog and sad to see you abandoning it. Selfishly I scorn the negative commenter you mention for making you reevaluate your situation, but for your sake I'm glad that you've been spurred on by that to pursue what you really want to be doing, i.e. not producing content for free.
I've always appreciated your writing style as well as your viewpoints on various topics. The one time we spoke to one another it was out of a disagreement, but as is often the case the remaining 99.9% of your views I've agreed with wholeheartedly even though I've never mentioned it. In fact I was in the middle of creating a new post for my own tiny blog highlighting and agreeing with a recent post of yours, but I guess with your blog shutting down I might have to scrap that post.
Those "ignored" posts you mention are the ones that I've appreciated the most and filed away in my mind (and my browser bookmarks) for future reference or whenever I need a boost of encouragement or inspiration. I hope that once you get going with your paid gigs you'll still find some time to revisit this blog, even if much less frequently. I think you have a lot to offer still to the community, and we need people like you to continue to offer guidance and sanity in a profession/hobby that is increasingly insane.
Good luck with your new endeavors, and I look forward to your articles on The Online Photographer!
I will be sorry to see you stop Kirk, I enjoy your posts as well as your work. I wish you all the best, and thank you, not just for what you have shared here, but what you have freely shared on the many forums that our paths have crossed. It is the folks like you that pay it forward with your knowledge and your helpful advice that makes photography in my honest opinion.
Kirk,
Yet another lurker here. The posts that are/were " largely ignored" were the ones I most anticipated and enjoyed.
VERY glad to hear that you'll be making contributions to my favorite remaining photo-blog.
Thank you so very much for your time and INSIGHTS! If you'll be finding yourself up Fort Worth way,PLEASE shoot me an email in advance. Beers and/or coffee is on me. I'll pick up a few extra rolls of 120 TriX so your Hasselblads won't go hungry.
Best Regards,
Mac Trotter
Ft Worth, TX
I'm one of the anonymous people that visit this site but do not comment. your site has tremendous value. I am glad you will keep the site up. Such valuable information should not be lost.
Thank you for all that you have done for the photo community, especially for aspiring amateurs such as myself.
Good luck with everything.
john (aka oly-oly-oly on flickr)
Ah, Kirk, We hardly knew ye......
But what I know, I like.
Kirk, thanks very much for all your efforts over the years. I have very much enjoyed tuning in every few days to catch up on the latest posts.
I will miss the blog but I have the selfish hope that your experience will parallel mine, where I almost gave up on my local history website. The site is quite popular but hardly anybody was prepared to stick their hands in their pockets to support it. I was all prepared to give up the site, and did take a vacation of four or five months, but I came back to it because I discovered it was something I had to do.
I suspect you will find that the same applies to you. You wouldn't have done all this unless something inside insisted that you do so. And the urge may start again after a good break.
Some photo blogs, including Scott Bourne's don't accept comments. Might be worth thinking about...
Hi Kirk,
Very saddened to hear you are no longer continuing with your blog. It was always an excellent read.
I was always amazed and impressed that you could write so much, especially after a busy day's work. Writing that was so thoughtful and broad in subject, challenging at times also which I never felt big headed, I've read so many blogs were the blogger frequently was or became so opinionated once they found an audience.
I attempted a blog on my own site, principally to see what writing a blog and I'm no writer was like. I stuck it out for a year and felt it difficult to think of subjects that didn't make it into some sort of online diary. I now will only add items occasionally, once a month perhaps. This perhaps might be a solution for yourself, your a natural writer, especially on subjects that will not necessarily find their way into print.
I respect and understand your decision but shall be keeping a hopeful eye on my rss feed.
all the best
george
A shame, but I understand your reasons. I've neglected so much work doing my own blog & I've been trying to cut down the amount of time I spend on it.
It is addictive, but also the cause of much raised blood pressure.
Best wishes for your future endeavours.
sorry to see you go Kirk! I've enjoyed your frank commentary on the photo industry and your insights into the creative mind/life ... it's helped keep me grounded a realistic about my own photography and aspirations. I wish you the best in your career ... and look forward to the day when you get to retire and maybe pick up blogging again :)
While reading past posts and comments I've missed, and re-reading others, I'll be awaiting new insights from your keyboard.
Like Pournelle on all things computers that matter at Chaos Manor, VSL has become my favorite read on all things photography that matter since Keppler's SLR columns all those many years ago.
Your images have that unmistakable ease noted among the best and are as much reason to be here as your insightful writings.
Thanks for the reminder to procrastinate less and shoot more.
-jts in Kentucky (and sometimes Texas)
Kirk, thanks for the work you've done on your blog. This saddens me. People can be so discouraging with their mean comments - especially when it comes to photographers it seems. Takes all the fun out of it. Well, I must say that I love your writing and unfiltered opinions. I feel like we're friends - even though you dont know me - as I know about your family, your work and your pleasures. I'll really miss keeping up with you. Thanks again for the blog.
Jeff Weeks
Colorado Springs, CO
I can't add much to the 244 posts that have already been posted. I have read all of your posts over the last couple of years and purchased several of your books. You and I are both from the same generation...as well as film to digital.
Whether you blogged about a camera or just about what you were photographing, they all meant something to many of us. They made us think, inspired us, and made us take a different approach to what and how we were photographing. It also, I have to add, made me purchase your books. I also believe your writing in the blog made you sift through all the things you do on a daily basis and made your books even better.
It is sad that a few people posting ignorant, negative comments made you hesitate about the value of what you have done on this site. It means a lot to many of us, as the comments above prove.
I respect your decision, but hope you will reconsider. There is a financial return to the generosity of the free education you have given to so many of us. I will continue to buy your books and learn from your experience.
Continued success to you and best regards.
Well, thank you.
Like a poster a few entries up, I came here mostly for the "mostly ignored personal growth and art...", and am glad to say that you made an impact.
All the best to you and yours,
Thorir, a - until now - silent reader
I've been seeing a lot of this going around since Steve Jobs died. While I will miss your blogs, it's great that you are doing what is important to you....
My take on what the Visual Science Lab has meant to my photographic journey. http://aroundomaha.blogspot.com/2011/10/field-of-dreams-internet-fools-gold.html
Please consider asking Creative Live to have Kirk on as a guest instructor: http://creativelive.wufoo.com/forms/suggest-an-instructor-for-creativelive/
I'm very sorry to hear this, as I've enjoyed your site. I intend continuing to watch this blog from time to time. (I do not have a Google account or something because I'm usually a silent reader.) Thank You wery much for Your excellent work! L. Stefan, Bucharest, Romania
even though I'm in now way professional photographer, I enjoyed reading you for a few years now. You communicate your passion and your experience with such intelligence and wit. In fact, I really consider you as my friend and came to read what my friend had to say on almost a daily basis. Thanks for all this time shared with us and I truly understand you. go out and have fun! xoxoxox
Thank you for all you contributed, I learned a lot and also felt like I was not alone in some of my thoughts and opinions. I just wanted to say thanks.
Steve
A little late to the comment party but I did want to say thank you for your time, your creative energy, your rants and, most of all, your thoughts about the creative process. After a couple of years of reading various blogs, both photo related and otherwise, I had stopped reading other blogs except for the VSL and one other (non-photo) blog. Mainly because of the ideas you presented. Equipment reviews are a dime a dozen, it is much more interesting to read thoughts about why you should put a camera in your hand.
I'll continue to look for new books from you having bought and read the existing ones (mostly before the blog). If I am ever in Austin again I'll see if I can buy you a beverage of your choice.
Good luck and thanks again.
rob
Kirk
My students at Texas A & M San Antonio will miss your thoughts and perspective. My compliments on getting 12,000 hits a day, I am still at 120 on my site. As you say it is time to get off the couch and start doing my job rather than my blog.
I learned a lot more reading your blog than I did by reading photography magazines. The magazines just want to sell us stuff, you want us to be creative.
Dennis Elam PhD CPA
Texas A & M San Antonio
Thanks Dennis, I've always enjoyed your support. We'll meet up again soon. KT
While it's fully undestandable that you stpped posting, it's also sad. Your post about art and what brings you forward, made me think a lot about my own way of taking pictures. Especially these articles inspired me to make better pictures. I really hope you consider TOP's offer for writing a monthly column. I know I'll enjoy it.
Thanks a lot for your writings and best wishes,
Tom
PS: If you ever happen to be in Vienna, Austria, drop me a line and I'll buy you a coffee!
Thanks for the content you provided us and good luck in your future endeavors. Your blog was a good read, and I'll drop back by from time to time to see if you've added anything else in your infrequent returns. I completely understand, and have often wondered how you found the time to add so much nuanced content so often. I've genuinely enjoyed reading along with your thoughts, and wish you well.
Jim A.
Hello,
do not talk about gear. That is the answer to your "half empty" decision. Talk about your personal point of about art, photography, culture or whatever. Not about cameras, lenses and so on. Thats the way to get the glas "half full" and you can continue your blog. Go on Kirk Tuck!
Just wanted to add another "sorry to see you go" to the mix. I have only just now found your blog - Gordon Lewis over at Shutterfinger had a post about your decision, and I came by to check out your site. Thanks for all that you have put into it - I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time working my way through the archives of your images and observations. Happy shooting from the North Georgia mountains.
Andy Truett
I'm not sad to see that you will no longer be actively working on this blog - only because I assume you are devoting more time to family, photography and fees. All of these are far more important than a blog.
I've only recently discovered your blog and it has reawakened my joy of using square format and photography in general with your insightful articles, for that I will be eternally grateful.
Good luck and best wishes for the future.
I've been following your blog for almost a year and I have to gratefully say "Thank you!".
I''ve learnt much since then and seen lots of beautiful photos here.
And good luck.
Vitor, Portugal.
Kirk - I will miss the content and insights that you have provided so honestly and freely.
I have been a fairly consistent reader for the last year or so and there have been many posts that have lead me to think about and examine the direction and intent of my photography. I can honestly say that I am a better photographer today because of reading your blog (and, I still shoot the same gear I shot a year ago). For that I say thank you.
Well, darn. Sure will miss you. Thanks to you I bought the 35mm 2.0 lens, which I rarely take off my camera. Many blessings to you, Kirk!
Hi Kirk,
too sad about your closing thoughts. I love what you do and what you write. even (read mostly) the inspiration stuff.
Will continue to look for the occasional post (love it that there are a few new ones, and hope that they will be more than a trickle.
udi
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