Why is it that photography seems like a competition?

Thank you to Cindy for introducing the essay:

Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight via Clifford Geertz.

Essentially the essay sums up the concept that individuals try to assert their masculinity, dominance, and power through ‘cock fighting’ (on in modern English, a cock-measuring contest).

I. Cock fighting

So these Balinese men groom these fighting cocks (roosters), and have great pride in it.

Kind of how modern men buy muscle cars, or attach testicles to the back of their big pick-up trucks.

We externalize our sexuality, masculinity, and power through the things we own.

We also do this in different ways– women try to show their femininity through luxury hand bags, the makeup brands they wear, and through this curated online ‘self’ through sexy selfies. Men try to show off with their bodies, by instagramming them before/after gym, or trying to assert their dominance over others by ‘How much can you bench bro?’

II. More expensive gear = bigger cock

I think in photography, you can see a cock-fight through what camera you use, how many likes you get on Instagram/Facebook, and how many followers you have.

It is all of us trying to show our dominance.

I experienced this first hand — men who buy Leica cameras to show off their cock size.

If you own a digital Leica — you have dropped at least 7,000 USD on a camera body, and perhaps 3,000 USD on a lens. So your camera is at least 10,000 USD. That is like having a big cock.

You then ‘look down’ at others who have Fujifilm cameras (the ‘poor man Leica’) and you think you are morally superior because your camera is more expensive.

Trust me, I am the biggest Leica snob I know.

Kind of how ROLEX users look down on SEIKO owners.

Kind of how HERMES bag-owners look down on LOUIS VUITTON bag owners.

Kind of how PORSCHE owners look down on MAZDA MIATA owners.

Kind of how IPHONE users look down at ANDROID users.

Kind of how APPLE MAC users look down on PC users.

III. We crowd-source our self esteem to social media

In today’s world (for the average person) we have externalized our self-worth via social media followers.

We cannot publicly show how much money we have and earn. However, it is easy to show everyone how many Instagram followers you have.

So today’s new cock-measuring is social media followers.

IV. This is for all genders

I don’t wanna say ‘cock-measuring’ too much– because this includes women, transgender, or other socially-constructed concepts of gender.

In gay communities, you often have a ‘BEAR’ (dominant partner) and a less dominant partner.

Women often measure their self-worth by breast-size, or the expensiveness of their luxury goods. Or how many carats their diamond ring is. Or via other status markers– iPhone model, where they get their hair cut, the car they drive, the brand of their shoes, etc.

Of course, I am writing this from the perspective of a man (myself) because I don’t know any other perspective. So apologies for being sexist.

V. Have others admire your photos; not your gear or stuff

Anyways, the reason I am writing this is because I want to encourage you:

Don’t crowd-source your self-esteem by how many social media followers you have, or by how expensive your shit is.

I have more admiration for the badass Brad Pitt in Fight Club who doesn’t own a car– rather than someone who is driving a new BMW.

I have more admiration for the photographer who doesn’t care about what camera they shoot with, rather than the insecure photographer at a Leica party with a limited edition Leica with a .95 Noctilux lens.

To me, I have more admiration for the photographer who doesn’t use social media compared to the guy with 1 million followers.

To me, I have more respect for the photographer who makes interesting photos in their own boring home town, compared to the guy who is always on a private jet and flying to exotic places.

VI. How to give fewer fucks of what others think about you

Some tips:

1. Unfollow everyone

If you want to care less about what others think of your photos; unfollow everyone on Instagram, and only re-follow people who you really like.

For example on my Instagram I only follow Cindy (@hapticindustries). This is because I am a self-centered asshole, and I only care about Cindy #facts.

You are going to piss people off– but if someone gets pissed off for unfollowing them — they are not a real friend #facts.

2. Delete all your Instagram photos

Delete all your photos on Instagram and on Flickr, set all your photos to private.

Start from a blank slate.

Still keep your photos on your hard drive, your prints, etc– but do a fresh reboot on your photo social media accounts. You will feel clean, and more empowered.

3. Start your own photo blog

To have more freedom in photography and life; start your own photo blog. I recommend bluehost.com and wordpress.org

The more freedom you have with your own blogging platform (by owning your own platform) and by disabling page views and comments, you will give fewer fucks of what others think of you.

VII. Make beautiful photos to please yourself (and a few others)

Don’t crowd-source your self-esteem. Only care about your own opinion of your own photos, and don’t give one fuck about what camera you shoot with.

Be strong,
Eric

#STREETCLUB // ANTI-STREET PHOTOGRAPHY // #RICOHMAFIA