We can be our own algorithm.
Retro//Reflection - Issue #36
Once or twice per month I send out a letter with a handful of (my) photographs and share a bit of insight on the ‘why?’ or ‘how?’. As an enthusiastic photographer, anything goes.
Maybe you’ll learn something?
Or perhaps it will spark some inspiration?
First things first: Retro//reflection is about (my) photographs, but occasionally I come across a photography-adjacent topic that I like to say a few things about as well. This time it’s Notes - you know Substacks’ “social feed”, or better yet: how to NOT use Notes. Now, if you think: oh no, not another one ranting about this, please feel free to skip this one or just ignore the text and have a look at photographs from my “The World As I See It”-collection.
Lately I noticed more people (on Substack) talking about Substack - and Notes in particular - becoming a we-all-know-where-this-leads-to-social network. This got me thinking …
Here’s a crazy thought: don’t use Notes1. Maybe shift your focus to people’s Publications2 instead? Read articles and leave thoughtful comments. You can even give a ‘like’ if you must. Start a publication even!
I know, it’s unheard of. And I already hear you confusingly yelling at me: then where do I find all this new and interesting and more (photography-related) content ?!?
Well, first of all: stop using the term ‘content’. As Xavi Buendia calls it: it’s craft! Secondly, do you really need more? At the time of writing, I’m subscribed to 98 publications (…) and I don’t know about you but this is already way more fresh content (sorry) that I can handle. There’s no need for me to scroll an algorithmic “For you”-feed …
Anyway, I can give you some unsolicited tips on how to detox from Notes (before it’s too late), where to find photography-related inspiration and/or how to nudge people in the right other direction.
Recommendations
I learned about Substack because I subscribed to Process ☼ On Photography, by Wesley Verhoeve . This was before Notes even existed3. From his newsletter/publication I followed his recommendations to find out about other photographers on the platform. And this worked just fine! I mean, eventually I even stumbled on a little publication called Shades of Greaves . Have a look, you might have a laugh ;-)
So for readers: when you find an interesting Publication (see next item where to start), see what other publications they mention. Look for a menu item or a list called “Recommendations”. No algorithm required.
For writers: besides using recommendations you can also include links to Publications or (individual) articles in whatever you write on your publication (see the end of this article for some examples).
Browse through “The List”
Have a look here:
The Photography Community on Substack
There are quite a lot of photographers here on Substack, but how do you find them? Well, if you are new here, or lost maybe - here’s a list of publications with a (main) focus on photography!
… or maybe begin here:
These four and the list should already give you plenty to do to stop scrolling an endless feed: books, magazines, links to personal websites, friendly (online) photography participations.
“But how do I keep track of all this?”
Here’s an idea: just read the “newsletter” e-mails? It’s quite distraction-free. Now I get it: we all get too many e-mails. Well, here’s another idea: use an RSS-reader4.
Don’t tell Substack (they might kill it), but each Publication has it’s own RSS-feed. There are a gazillion (free) RSS-readers5 out there - including browsers like Vivaldi and Brave - that you can use.
Simple add the following link to an RSS-reader and each time a new article is published, you’ll be notified (and you can ditch the e-mails):
[publication-url]/feedSo for my Publication this would be: https://ronaldsmeets.substack.com/feed
You could also use the Subscriptions-section in the Substack interface (probably also in the app, but I don’t use the app so I can’t confirm). Look for the button/link:
Following vs “For You”
Finally, if you really must scroll the Notes feed because you can’t help it, make sure to set it to “Following” and while you are at it, narrow your browser window (to get rid of the pesky side-bar on wider screens6):
As you can see there are plenty of options to choose over a for-you-but-actually-it’s-not-feed (I mean, there are even folks doing Zoom calls these days …). Not only on photography, but probably on any topic you can find here on Substack.
Next issue will be about actual photography again.
Probably.
Now repeat after me: “we can be our own algorithm”.
And again, one more time …
Worthwhile//Reads
Something to end this issue. Here are three (random) photography-related articles I recently read (on Substack) that I think are worth sharing! (see what I did there? ;-)
That’s it for this issue. Thank you for showing your interest. Feel free to leave a comment, ask a question or tell me anything else that comes to mind. Appreciate it!
Until next time,
Ronald
ronaldsmeets.info
ps: this article/letter/post is free, because I’m not doing this to make a profit. Also, I don’t like subscriptions at all. However, if you do want to show your support, a coffee always helps me writing and posting here ;-)
Believe it or not: you can still do that y’know?
Remember that’s how it all began with Substack …
Early 20223 I think …
It’s technology from the dark ages (of the Internet)
Or use uBlock Origin
That good old RSS reader… I use Unread for quiet some time and it works wonderfull! Maybe it’s an idea to share some interesting blogs in the comments ?
Anyway, thanks for sharing Ronald, I’m still learning with Substack 😉
Since I found you and found your mega list o’photographers, I took your advice (even before you gave it) and spend some wonderful time each day browsing photographer’s craft.
I love connecting with people that have different specialties but share of love for photography.
Thank you again for the list and for this great article.