Perpetuating Internet Trolls is Harming the Photography Community
The internet, as wonderful as it is, can be a damaging place. People, hidden behind profile pictures and pseudonyms, love to use the online space to let out their aggression, and the photography world is no stranger to this. Look at the comments section of any photography YouTuber, the hate is all too real. However, those victim of hate have a habit of making it worse.
Receiving hate has become a badge of glory for many photographers. The amount of social media feeds I see with screenshots or reshares of hateful comments, is, well, quite sad. Some photographers use it as bait for engagement, the same way the commenters did when leaving their toxic thoughts on a video or an image that was shared.
The hard truth is, the motive behind resharing it all is wrapped up in ego. It’s a means to say “hey look I made it because people hate me”. I know this because I’ve been guilty of continuing the hate cycle throughout my writing career in the photo industry.
Years ago when I wrote for The Phoblographer, or had the odd piece in PetaPixel, it was the first time I’d had access to millions of monthly readers. Naturally, you can’t please everybody, nor should you aim to. But the hateful comments aren’t about critique or disagreement, they’re simply about hate, and the toxic comments came flying in – I loved it.
I remember receiving an email comparing me to Brooklyn Beckham. Not for his handsome looks and insane wealth, but rather for the stain he was on the photographic industry. Without hesitation I screen grabbed it and got that pasted all over social media. “Look at me, in the same sentence as a mega star…”
That was almost a decade ago and I’ve learned since then, giving space to negativity is in no way ever going to become a positive; two wrongs don't…you know the rest.
The worst part is, every reshare like this takes a moment away from those who take the time to invest a thoughtful dialogue in your journey. It prevents us from truly creating a meaning and engaging environment that brings photography forward and more people into the space.
I get it, it may not get as much engagement, but who cares? Life isn’t about who gets the most, it’s who shows up and makes our world a better place.
If you’re a grown adult, don’t get involved in digital playground games. They don’t matter, they mean nothing, and they’re not worth your mental or social space.
Read more: “Street photography is weird…”
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