Say cheese! Photographers worth following on Twitter
Jumping into a cab and yelling ‘follow that car’ may work in the movies, but on the micro-blogging service Twitter people not unreasonably expect a bit more of an explanation of why they should follow anybody.
Every Friday Twitter is alive with people recommending who they think you should #followfriday – or #ff for short. Best practice involves picking a name or two and explaining why you think they are worth following – and leaving enough room in your 140 character limit to RT or Retweet the recommendation. Sadly many will just announce #ff and then stream a bunch of names that I know I am not alone ignoring these meaningless lists regardless who is suggesting they should be followed.
I think even best of all practice involves blogging why certain people should be followed on Twitter and then tweeting a link. This not only drives traffic to your website, but it removes the 140 word maximum you can say why someone should be followed. Normally I theme this approach and today I have selected six talented photographers that I not only know in real life, but whose work I admire, two I have employed and all are active on Twitter and adding value to the conversation. Certainly they warrant a #followfriday.
Photographers can thrive on Twitter because those using it are happy to click on links to photographs, not least as it requires very little investment of time to assess its value. Applications like Tweetdeck can even preview the photographs without opening a web page. Whether these are your own photographs or examples of pictures you love, it is a great way to add pictures to your Twitter stream – although be wary about making jokes about turning pet chickens into soup – when I posted this Twitpic it led to genuine concern for the welfare of the bird in question! Anyway, six photographers on Twitter worthy of a #followfriday.
@nealejames Neale is a truly talented photographer who has a near magical eye for an outstanding image and he has photographed me many times! Indeed many of the images on this website of the team behind Morgan PR were taken by Neale. He also writes an amazing blog about taking photographs that is often remarkably moving.
@memsthrualens is better known to some as Lesley Pattinson and she mastered her photographic skills with Neale James, even taking pictures at his wedding (she’s that good!) and he photographed hers. She also took some outstanding pictures of me and my daughter that still make me grin every time I look at them! She rocks on Twitter and Morgan PR is delighted to be helping her master social media for her business. Check out her fab blog here.
@MikeSamuels68 is someone else we are delighted to have helped with social media and PR, not least as he saves lives – how many of us can say that? As a medical photographer Mike Samuels takes pictures of moles that can capture changes over time that lead to the early detection of skin cancer. He also helps dentists and doctors take better photographs and his expertise with a camera is also benefitting people he is teaching to make the most of their digital camera.
@Lanternphoto is the Twitter name of Bruce Boulton a photographer I met through 4Networking when he came to hear one of my Twitter talks and he asked a question about how a certain TV Dragon was using Twitter. He is very abundant on Twitter and regularly RTs his followers. Bruce tweeted that the Dragon should ask me how to help him use it properly... that led to a spirited debate on our blog. He blogs too.
@Galephoto is another photographer I have met through networking, first at the Faringdon Business Breakfast Club and more recently at various 4Networking events. Passionate about his art Derek Gale, who runs Gale Photography, is constantly looking for new ways to provide the best possible photographic results for his clients. He too runs a great blog, which is very informative on his website.
@Photolass is last but by no means least! Especially as whenever I see Dorrian Carrington at 4Networking she is behind the camera and unfailingly lets me use her images when I blog about my trips. She has also provided many of the people on 4Networking circuit in the region with their all important profile pictures. She runs D&D Carrington Photography and is a lovely an abundant photographer worth your follow for sure.
Do you agree with my selection? Any other photographers I should be following?