Intro
This isn't a post where one of these platforms wins, so if you were hoping to see one of them come out on top, you might want to leave now. Instead this post is a comparison of the two platforms through the lens of my personal bias. I hope you find it interesting, and I'd love to turn this monologue into a dialogue. If it ends up being worth your time to read, I'd love if you could hit share at the bottom or resteem this for others.
Photography
I've been having a lot of fun with photography lately, and with that I've tried to keep pretty active here on the Steem blockchain as well as on Instagram. As much as I enjoy Steem, and as much as I dislike the changes Instagram has made with the algorithm I'm not sure that the apps on the Steem blockchain are the best fit for my photography ventures, at least at this time. Either way, I'm keeping the early-adopter mentality and attempting to see the potential of Steem, while continuing on as I have with Instagram. I do admit I'm feeling a little bearish about the potential of the Steem blockchain to "produce" an app or platform that will experience mass adoption.
What motivates a person to share their work on an online platform?
For photographers, I think Instagram was initially appealing because of the tight community, and high level of engagement between members. This has somewhat waned with time and the algorithm, and I've definitely experienced the hit but there is still an element of it there. People love feedback, and there's plenty of research that says that people love the affirmation, regardless of how authentic it is, that comes from social media.
I believe the same is true for the draw of photographers to Steem apps, with two major differences: one being the possibility of direct monetary rewards, and two, the unique subset of people drawn to blockchain and new/experimental technology. Because of these things, and particularly the latter, I have found it difficult to find the same sense of "community" or common interests among my followers/following as I have on Instagram. I hope this can change, or my motivation will wane. As much as I like the crypto rewards, it's not enough to keep me, especially at their current prices.
Instagram feels like my home country, while Steemit (and other Steem apps) feels like a foreign country.
Life's not bad here, it's just different. While there is the possibility of rewards and potential, it has not been fully realized or proven. Instagram on the other hand has allowed me to do promotional work for Google, Fossil, Yuneec, and many other brands in exchange for fiat currency (USD) and products. Sure I have not made money from Instagram the company, but I have definitely made money from Instagram the community. Steem feels like a foreign land, where the people speak a different language, and the cultural barriers are high. Again, this doesn't mean it's bad, it's just different and takes a unique approach.
What makes the Steem blockchain exciting to you, beyond the potential it has. What makes it exciting and engaging right now? Do you have a project or idea that you want to collaborate on? I'd love to do something more with this platform than I am currently doing. I'm a hard worker and I want to make this experience rewarding.
What are my options?
I love the challenge of curation, and putting together a body of work that fits together and is aesthetically pleasing as a whole. This is one of the things I enjoy about Instagram, and it's simplistic grid layout that has largely remain unchanged for years. Below, is a screenshot of my current grid and the photos I'm sharing, most of which you've probably seen here on my blog.
Hey thanks for reading this, whatever it ended up being! Let me know what I'm missing here on Steemit, and drop me a comment if you have a project you need help with!
Justin
Purchase my photos on Stocksy United! Stocksy United - Justin Mullet
Creating authentic outdoor and landscape photography primarily in the Western United States. Featuring a beautiful portfolio of stock photos that portray some of the earth's most peaceful and quiet areas, and portraying rural life at its best!