Having introduced my nieces, two rather internet-savvy young women, to the world of blogging recently (you can see their Tuesdays with Dorie post on making a chocolate truffle tart here), I started thinking about how much there is to navigate in the social media realm. It can be hard to build community online when it seems that the channels of communication are so fragmented, or worse, the same people are broadcasting the same information over channel after channel.
I’ve found Twitter to be a great resource for information and also a good way to connect in real time with people in my region and in my French Fridays community. Facebook is more for far away friends, local acquaintances, and family, though I do have a Facebook page for my blog. I like to keep all 11 of its Facebook followers in the loop…
I eschew location-based social media applications like Foursquare, but love location-based apps on my phone that help me find shops, food trucks, and even what’s in season. I don’t feed my activity from them onto social media, though. Maybe it’s generational.
What I’ve been finding really fascinating lately, though only as an observer, is how Google+ has taken off as a platform for photographers. A good friend of mine has become deeply involved in the community there and it’s become for her both a venue for connection and a spur for creativity. I think the combination of social media functions and ease of sharing is a big part of what’s made it so popular. Unlike a number of social media platforms, it’s also easily adaptable to users’ needs. A great example of this is the way the video chat function, called Hangouts, has become a forum for tutorials, classes, and even photo walks.
I have to admit I haven’t used Google+ for much, yet, but when I start working on improving my photography skills again, I’ll be looking to the resources that can be found there.
Here’s a few links, in case your interest has been piqued:
Google+ photography book for charity
There’s a lot of potential in the web, but it’s easy to get distracted by all the entertainment, fluff, and chatter out there. It’s inspiring to see a web tool like Google+ take off so productively and creatively. Now, I just need to keep that in mind when I turn on the computer.
One Wet Foot 
Nice post, Teresa. I thought your nieces did a nice job on their first post!
Just started using Google + – it’s still a bit overwhelming… I kind of feel like I am standing in the middle of a million conveyor systems moving at lightning speed… I am sure my old brain will catch on eventually 🙂
What a wonderful post! I’ve been meaning to investigate Google+ for a while. I’m glad it’s your positivity that’s pushed me to check it out. Merci!
The family baking/blogging thing is wonderful! The girls are doing a great job with it already.
And very glad you’re talking about Google+. I really encourage people to get involved there. For those who are just joining and want to know how to get involved, I suggest circling people whose photography you enjoy, commenting on their photos, posting your own photos, and participating in theme days (Macro Monday, Film Friday, etc. … there are a number of lists circulating, but here is one: http://ericleslie.com/guides/daily-photography-themes-googleplus/ ) These are ways to get your name and your photography known and to start developing connections with other people. The site is all about the interaction, with an emphasis on mutuality and encouragement, which is a refreshing change from many photography forums.
A very thoughtful post. We’ve just been talking with the kids in 7th grade about the “footprints” they leave behind on the internet — and how, unlike animals tracks, that melt or erode, these tracks are more permanent than we realize. It is a lot to navigate. Great post.