Guess you're right. Just realized I also minimized my time on YouTube. That started way before I was fed up with social media and decided to limit my time to under half an hour a day. Best decision I've made in a long time.
I think it's a combination of newness, saturation and algorithm. And probably a dozen other factors. We've all seen the material a hundred times, so it goes away. But new people are looking for it, so it comes back. But new creators are creating, and of course they're new, so they appeal to the beginners (at first), so the old stuff goes away and the new stuff comes in, and sounds like retreaded material, of course. But the new creators have trouble gaining traction with the algorithms... It's odd, but also natural and expected.
But as long as there are people with something to say, there will be new content created.
I do wonder if the fascination with creating art is beginning to wane under pressures from algorithms, social media fatigue, and a widening set of interests diluting the visual arts genres.
Excelent list of Youtube presenters and I cunently follow 8/11, not bad. But yes there is a change taking place as noted in the last epesode of the Photograpic Eye. There has also been the disapearance of a number of other presenters, with no explanation. The times they are a changing. Have a Happy New Year
My YouTube over the last year has been moving to just entertainment type stuff I can have on as background noise. The equipment/technique people were just repeating the same stuff over and over again. So I watch a guy who runs a pawn shop in the upper Midwest, some geocaching, Disney there are a couple long form shows that report the good and the bad and have fun while doing it. Well the ball is dropping in 11 min. Guess I will turn the tv on for 12 minutes. Happy new year!,
I've watched Alex's channel for a while now and find it to be one of the best. I have certainly noticed that the content on a wide range of photography channels has converged on a few topics that aren't that interesting to me any longer.
It seems to me that there a bunch of reasons for it, mostly related to too many content providers chasing too few viewers. And of course, Youtube algorithms are doing everything they can to keep us watching.
One way to get views is to appeal to beginners. As a content creators increases the level of photography they talk about, the tend to lose viewers. For example, there are hundreds of videos on one-light portraits because it will attract more viewers than two-light portraits. There are only so many beginner topics to cover, so if a creator wants to make videos that have the potential for lots of views, they end up covering the same material.
Gear videos are always popular because it's easier to dream about the next camera you'll buy rather than taking pictures. If you watch cycling videos, you see plenty of bike reviews for a similar reason. BTW, you see the same thing in print magazines, which are often nothing more than product catalogs for advertisers. For example, look at Outside Magazine.
Another reason gear videos are popular is that there is always new gear coming out. It provides an unending list of fresh material. Also, gear videos are easy to make. You don't need to be a good photographer to make one.
In many cases, it seems easier to make a slick Youtube video than it is to be a good photographer. There are lots a creators out there making beautiful films about nothing.
It's funny, the other day I was thinking "I'm done learning about photography technique." And you've summed up a similar sentiment. It's not that I know it all, there's always a ton to learn of course, but I think the technique is so often, as you pointed out, the same rehashed photo tips provided by a dozen different youtubers aiming to please the algorithm. It's that whole "content" problem, I think. Thanks for posting.
Yes, when YouTube becomes your business, you write to the algorithm. You have to. It is literally your paycheck. And the algorithms will push everyone to the same content. Devilishly difficult challenge.
Nothing to add really. You know, there's only so much time that I can watch youtube videos (I also want to make some time to take photographs, imagine that 😉), I have to be selective. And i. That case I choose to watch more video about the 'why' instead of the 'how' 🙂 To add to your list, these are youtube/photographers I watch regularly: https://youtube.com/@aows?si=pyS8fL4faBLcF9Af , https://youtube.com/@e6Vlogs?si=EYbNdadMn8MPIKO6 , https://youtube.com/@JamesPopsysPhoto?si=zBrxghwUpQ2eDBxs , https://youtube.com/@snapsbyfox?si=LnS-SXFCvey5W_Pp and https://youtube.com/@SteveONions?si=iJdkHTGNWTF-jr-u
Thanks Ronald.
Guess you're right. Just realized I also minimized my time on YouTube. That started way before I was fed up with social media and decided to limit my time to under half an hour a day. Best decision I've made in a long time.
SM moved from past time to work.
It isn’t innovative, in my view.
Same ol’ stuff.
Thanks for the note.
I think it's a combination of newness, saturation and algorithm. And probably a dozen other factors. We've all seen the material a hundred times, so it goes away. But new people are looking for it, so it comes back. But new creators are creating, and of course they're new, so they appeal to the beginners (at first), so the old stuff goes away and the new stuff comes in, and sounds like retreaded material, of course. But the new creators have trouble gaining traction with the algorithms... It's odd, but also natural and expected.
But as long as there are people with something to say, there will be new content created.
I agree.
I do wonder if the fascination with creating art is beginning to wane under pressures from algorithms, social media fatigue, and a widening set of interests diluting the visual arts genres.
Excelent list of Youtube presenters and I cunently follow 8/11, not bad. But yes there is a change taking place as noted in the last epesode of the Photograpic Eye. There has also been the disapearance of a number of other presenters, with no explanation. The times they are a changing. Have a Happy New Year
Yes, they definitely are changing.
It feels as though there's something in the air.
We will see how it works out.
I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out but I also have been spending less time on Photo YouTube
My YouTube over the last year has been moving to just entertainment type stuff I can have on as background noise. The equipment/technique people were just repeating the same stuff over and over again. So I watch a guy who runs a pawn shop in the upper Midwest, some geocaching, Disney there are a couple long form shows that report the good and the bad and have fun while doing it. Well the ball is dropping in 11 min. Guess I will turn the tv on for 12 minutes. Happy new year!,
I've watched Alex's channel for a while now and find it to be one of the best. I have certainly noticed that the content on a wide range of photography channels has converged on a few topics that aren't that interesting to me any longer.
It seems to me that there a bunch of reasons for it, mostly related to too many content providers chasing too few viewers. And of course, Youtube algorithms are doing everything they can to keep us watching.
One way to get views is to appeal to beginners. As a content creators increases the level of photography they talk about, the tend to lose viewers. For example, there are hundreds of videos on one-light portraits because it will attract more viewers than two-light portraits. There are only so many beginner topics to cover, so if a creator wants to make videos that have the potential for lots of views, they end up covering the same material.
Gear videos are always popular because it's easier to dream about the next camera you'll buy rather than taking pictures. If you watch cycling videos, you see plenty of bike reviews for a similar reason. BTW, you see the same thing in print magazines, which are often nothing more than product catalogs for advertisers. For example, look at Outside Magazine.
Another reason gear videos are popular is that there is always new gear coming out. It provides an unending list of fresh material. Also, gear videos are easy to make. You don't need to be a good photographer to make one.
In many cases, it seems easier to make a slick Youtube video than it is to be a good photographer. There are lots a creators out there making beautiful films about nothing.
It's funny, the other day I was thinking "I'm done learning about photography technique." And you've summed up a similar sentiment. It's not that I know it all, there's always a ton to learn of course, but I think the technique is so often, as you pointed out, the same rehashed photo tips provided by a dozen different youtubers aiming to please the algorithm. It's that whole "content" problem, I think. Thanks for posting.
Yes, when YouTube becomes your business, you write to the algorithm. You have to. It is literally your paycheck. And the algorithms will push everyone to the same content. Devilishly difficult challenge.