“I will fly to the moon and back..”
When I started collecting Lego minifigures two years ago, photographing them was not on my mind. I was an enthusiast who was more than happy to see these tiny plastic people smile at me just as they did when I was a kid. Photographing them on my smartphone came about a year later. Since then I have become “telefonfotografcisi” on Instagram, shooting Lego photos and sharing them with a number of total strangers and a few close friends.
After sharing the first photo I took on my balcony (for the record it was the gnome fig on a beer can) I received about 30+ likes, most of which came from people I did not know. Even-though I am not motivated by followers or likes, I liked this feeling. I was motivated to do more and preferably even better photos. It means even more when strangers like my photos (sorry friend!). I know I can count on my friends to eventually “like” some –if not all- of my photos since they are happy to support my endeavors. Strangers though, only like a photo when they sincerely do so. They love the work, the idea, or the artistic effects you applied; nothing more. That seems to be enough for many of them to double-tap your photo or hit that magic button to follow for more.
And this has been my greatest joy in coming out, speaking up and sharing my creations with others on Instagram.
Because creative work needs to be shared… eventually.
Now that dear Shelly, Boris and Vesa are just a few days away from “In LEGO We Connect” art exhibition opening on March 5th in Seattle, I have come to think on this more and more. As one of their many fellow fans, I am excited and looking forward to hearing about the show and sharing in any good news. I am sure all their hard-work and years of experience on mastering their art will more than pay off on this day.
Even more important -for all of us- is, these three people, who were total strangers to me and to each other just a short time ago are now leading a stage-act to inspire so many of us.
These three photographers have come out, spoken up and shared their creative worlds with us. And on the 5th of March they will share it with more, share it bigger, share it bolder.
Even though I am unable to be there and support them in person, I will do my best to make them feel assured they have our blessings.
Shelly, Boris and Vesa have illuminated up a path for us to share our imaginations. Now it’s our turn to walk that path and bring our toys out of the basement.
Because creative work just can’t sit still.
It needs to be shared…eventually.
Good luck, my friends!
~ Serhat
Lovely post, Serhat!!! I too love the feeling of validation when strangers appreciate my work. It’s amazing that we can connect world-wide through Instagram, which in turn can give birth to real-life connection like this upcoming Seattle exhibit! Virtual becoming tangible.
I like how this statement, “…creative work just can’t sit still. It needs to be shared…” can be applied to various expressions of creativity. Along with LEGO photos, I’ve been exploring other artistic mediums, and also want get back into playing more music. I’m just trying to figure out the best way to share each kind!
Thanks a lot, Leila. It was a pleasure to guest post on this wonderful blog and I also want to thank Shelly and Boris for the opportunity.
My goal was exactly to motivate people to come out and play, just as you have mentioned: It is not only about Lego, it is all about creativity, be it the adventures of our tiny plastic friends or music, acting, art,..
Thanks again for your comment & please keep up the creative work! 🙂
Serhat, Great post! Although, after spending some time on Instagram I have to (gulp) disagree with the statement:
“Strangers though, only like a photo when they sincerely do so.”
Even though serious toy photographers scoff at the idea of ‘follow for a follow’ or ‘like for a like’, I think it still exists in different forms. I’ve seen a many great photographers ‘like’ & comment things like “Epic shot!” on shots that are, well, way short of epic-ness.
Not that likes or comments have rules, or should be used sparingly, but I think many fall short of being sincere.
If you don’t believe me, just sweet talk a great photographer (especially one that regularly gets a lot of praise comments) to post a out of place, what they think of as a horrible photo…the bait will be set…”Epic shot!” 🙂
Brick Sailboat, sorry that I do not know your real name yet (at the same time I like your screen name!)
I understand your point very clearly, and maybe I was “deliberately mistaken” in my statement about strangers being sincere about likes. Yes, not all IG folks act like I described. But still, I believe there are quite a lot of people who are real followers who appreciate your work and show this by their comments to motivate you.
Of course, the “follow for follow”ers are a reality and they will always be there. But the most important thing is, we get to know new friends just as we do here on Stuck in Plastic. And I can always live with a thousand sweet-talkers to have the chance to meet one sincere person! 🙂
Cheers!..