Instagram Likes Are Messing With Your Photography

A small red heart icon can influence your mood for the rest of the day. Using Instagram for photographers means you can spend hours finding the perfect spot, wait for just the right light, and work hard to edit your photo until it looks great. Then you post it and wait. If you don’t see likes coming in within the first ten minutes, you might start doubting your creativity.

It can feel like a competition. But it doesn’t have to be. Craig Roberts of the e6 Vlogs talks about why you should stop viewing Instagram as a contest for likes and start seeing it as your own personal gallery. This perspective could help you maintain your peace of mind and enhance your art.

Instagram as the Modern Day Photography Magazine

Craig starts by reminiscing about the 1980s. Back then, if you wanted to see good photography or share your own, you had to rely on printed magazines. There was no quick way to get your work out there. You had to wait for the monthly release, and getting published meant dealing with strict editors. Instagram for photographers offers a modern alternative.

He points out that social media has changed this old system, which is a big advantage for you. Now, you don’t need an editor’s approval. You can showcase your work and connect with a worldwide audience in an instant. I think we often overlook this. We get caught up in the “social” side of social media and forget about the “media” part. The fact that you have a free, high-quality platform for sharing right in your pocket.

Stop Hiding and Start Curating Your Instagram Gallery

Craig talks about a common problem: the fear of sharing your work. You might think that Instagram ruins your photos or that the screen is too small to showcase them properly. However, Instagram for photographers is a great opportunity. The creator doesn’t buy into those excuses. He points out that even with the compression, Instagram is still where most people go to see pictures.

If you’re not posting because you’re scared of what others will think, he believes that you’re missing out on a great chance. It feels like holding back your art just because the platform isn’t “perfect” is a way of hiding. I encourage you to be brave and use Instagram as your own free gallery. It’s your space, so you should display your best work.

Real Confidence Starts in the Field, Not the Feed

One idea that really resonated with me is about confidence. He says that true confidence doesn’t come when you click the share button. It comes from what you experience while taking the photo. He captures that thrilling moment when you take a shot and just know it’s something great, even before checking the screen.

Craig points out that when you build that kind of confidence while shooting, the approval of online strangers matters less. I totally agree. If you know a photo is good because you felt something while taking it, then the lack of likes won’t matter. You’re not taking photos for the likes. You’re doing it for that satisfying feeling that says you nailed it. Instagram for photographers should be about the art, not the accolades.

Why You Should Ignore the Like Count Completely

Ignore likes and comments completely. They’re mostly irrelevant. Craig emphasizes the importance of view counts on Instagram, which he finds much more significant.

He shares that he often takes time to appreciate other people’s art without actually liking it. You might do the same. A view shows that someone paused to look at your work, which is what really matters in a gallery. A like is just a quick tap someone does when they’re bored. It doesn’t hold much weight. When you focus on the fact that many people have seen your art, it can really change how you see your presence on the app.

Handling the Internet’s Unsolicited Opinions

When you share something you’re proud of, and someone like “KeyboardWarrior99” makes a rude comment about it. Just overlook these comments. I believe that those who take the time to give negative feedback often aren’t confident enough to share their own work.

Criticism from people who aren’t creating themselves doesn’t really matter. I believe that when you stop worrying about negative comments, you become a true artist. You can’t please everyone, so it’s best to focus on what makes you happy.

Treating Your Grid Like a Virtual Exhibition

Craig highlights a “you-centric” way of using social media. He recommends only posting images that make you happy instead of trying to figure out what the algorithm prefers. If you think of your Instagram profile as a physical gallery, you’ll start to notice your growth over time.

I believe this platform can help you improve personally. As you look back at your posts, you can see how far you’ve come and aim to make each new photo a bit better than the last. I really like this idea. It turns Instagram into a visual diary of your journey as a photographer. You’re not in a race with someone who has 100k followers. Your only competition is the you from six months ago. Instagram for photographers offers a chance to focus on self-improvement rather than competition.

The Advantage You Have Over the Past

Craig concludes with a dose of reality. He expresses how much he would have valued a platform like this 30 years ago. In those days, photos were kept in a shoebox under the bed, but now they can be shared instantly with people in cities like Tokyo, London, and New York.

He finishes by encouraging those who don’t post to explain why. It feels like we’ve taken technology for granted and forgotten how amazing it really is. You have a worldwide showcase right at your fingertips, and it’s completely free to share your art.

I really liked the “excited but skeptical” feeling of this video. I agree that Instagram can be harmful if you let it, but the creator has a good point about changing your mindset. If you focus on your work instead of the numbers, using the app can be much more enjoyable.

I believe your photography deserves to be seen, not just stored on a hard drive. Even if it’s not perfect or only gets seen by a few people, that’s still better than keeping it to yourself. It seems like the secret to enjoying Instagram again is to lower the pressure. Use Instagram for photographers as a tool for self-expression without stressing over meaningless metrics.

So, the next time you post, don’t stress about the best times to share or popular hashtags. Just choose a photo you love, upload it to your gallery, and then go take more pictures. When you stop trying to play the game, you might find you’re enjoying the art even more.

[Instagram. Love it or hate it? I e6 Vlogs; Image credits: Pexels]

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