One piece of fallout from our technological advances is what I call the soft DIY movement ... the idea that "anyone can do it." Anyone can build a website. Anyone can take a photo anywhere. Anyone can make a video. Anyone can put together a newsletter.
This idea sounds empowering, but in truth it's an insidious erosion of quality. All those anyones are making a lot of crappy photos, websites, videos and newsletters. And those who have the expertise to create good photos, sites, etc.? They are the Rodney Dangerfield class, getting no respect.
This is particularly true for people in fields that require any kind of creativity. Freelance graphic artists are being offered insultingly low sums for their work, as are photographers, musicians and writers (ahem). Publications cut corners and costs by asking the subjects of articles to provide their own photos and paying peanuts to writers whose diligence is destroyed when an advertiser's review overrides fact in favor of promotion. People want original, personalized artwork, yet balk at paying for the concentrated work it requires. A generation used to selfies and snaps fails to understand the details and nuance behind professional photography.
The best creative work always looks easy, and that is its downfall. The whimsical mosaic by Lorraine Hoff Meade that accompanies this blog belies the time and work of its seven-step process, not to mention the artist's vision, research and attention to detail.
There are reasons and proper places for soft DIY. Family snapshots will always be cherished, and homemade gifts have plenty of heart to cover their flaws. I know that this website is merely informational and not particularly well done. But let's not fool ourselves into thinking that all videos are equal or that anyone who travels can write a travel article. How about a little respect?
This idea sounds empowering, but in truth it's an insidious erosion of quality. All those anyones are making a lot of crappy photos, websites, videos and newsletters. And those who have the expertise to create good photos, sites, etc.? They are the Rodney Dangerfield class, getting no respect.
This is particularly true for people in fields that require any kind of creativity. Freelance graphic artists are being offered insultingly low sums for their work, as are photographers, musicians and writers (ahem). Publications cut corners and costs by asking the subjects of articles to provide their own photos and paying peanuts to writers whose diligence is destroyed when an advertiser's review overrides fact in favor of promotion. People want original, personalized artwork, yet balk at paying for the concentrated work it requires. A generation used to selfies and snaps fails to understand the details and nuance behind professional photography.
The best creative work always looks easy, and that is its downfall. The whimsical mosaic by Lorraine Hoff Meade that accompanies this blog belies the time and work of its seven-step process, not to mention the artist's vision, research and attention to detail.
There are reasons and proper places for soft DIY. Family snapshots will always be cherished, and homemade gifts have plenty of heart to cover their flaws. I know that this website is merely informational and not particularly well done. But let's not fool ourselves into thinking that all videos are equal or that anyone who travels can write a travel article. How about a little respect?
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