Over the last few weeks I got a few emails asking me what is the drive behind DIYP. That sent me to my deep observations state where I had some discussions with myself on the reasons I keep DIYP. When trying to understand my reasons, I also understood that the reasons for sharing your photographic know how are universal (pardon for the cheesiness). So here are (my) Seven Reasons to Share Photographic Know How Online. [Image by JennyHuang]

1. You Get to Pay Somthin’ Back

I’ve never went to art school. In fact I’ve never even took a photography class. All that I know (and it is not much) came to me from reading photography books, asking around, participating in online forums, and reading blogs. Making an online blog gives me the privilege of sharing some of this knowledge back with the great community of photographers out there.

2. It’s Contagious – Join the Party

In the beginning there were only few online photography blogs, but look where we are now, Strobist, Chase Jarvis, Jim Talkington, Lighting Mods, Digital Photography School, Lighting Essentials – All out to share what they know. The more sites site are joining the sharing festival – the better the online photographic scene is.

3. You Give – You Get

One of the nice qualities of knowledge in general (and photography knowledge in particular) is that it does not get wasted when shared – on the contrary. So sharing an apple with a friend, will let you stay with half an apple. Sharing your photography know-how with a friend (or a few tens of thousands) can create new ideas and techniques that are hard to think of alone. Rich doing the light bulb shot better then me and hitting first page on Digg is one example. Dave Ajax taking the disposable camera flash and turning it to a disposable camera ring flash is another.

4. Great (Photographic) Karma

It is great Karma. Really. Ever since I started blogging I won the lottery (3 Dollars); Got to see the world (by traveling to debug issues on customers sites) and am surrounded by beautiful women (when taking my daughter to the park). But also I feel good about my self and getting a kick from seeing the blog grows and people care about it. Great Karma also means that you trust others – Jay from The Plug really has it when it comes to good karma. Attaching a disposable camera to a bench and relying on the kindness of other really gave some great photo minutes.

5. It Makes the World Smaller

This is one of the vest reasons to blog at all, and to photography blog in particular. During the two years (and some change) that DIYP runs, I made friends with photographers from all over the world. Some are pros, some amateurs, film, digital, old, young. All share passion for photography. I have learned from all.

6. Show Off

Once, a long, long time ago, being on TV was really something. As a kid, I remember the excitement of accidentally getting in to a news broadcast. I made the whole family sit down and watch the news with me. (like that was a hard thing…). As TV days are coming to an end, and internet takes place as the new authority, Having a blog is the great opportunity to show your family, friends and grandmother in particular that you are “on the internet”.

7. Really, Why Not Share?

Try and think really deep. is there a reason not to share what you know? It is really hard to find one. I mean, the good photography juice in your mind, not in your equipment and setup. Why not give others a bouncing board that will help them unleash their potential? The way I see it is that setting up is an art by itself. Just like you like sharing and getting comments on your pictures, you can display and share your setup and preparations. Just like a singer sings and does not looses his songs, photographers can share without loosing their originality.

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– My Mother in Law and the Family of Angles
– 4 Steps for Choosing Your Next Lens
– Seven Stores for The DIY Photographer