Where's Your Blog?

I have never been into "Blogging" but I have tried to keep a photography journal, you know where I actually write in, rather than type in.
But then all that changed when the blogs were started here.
My blog is number three, which means I was the first to start one, when it was first rolled out to the moderartors before its public roll out.
So I have become a blogger now, I even link it to my website, it's become that much a part of my photographic experience.

So where is yours? I am mostly referring to the ones here or one that is photography related.

Brian
:thumbsup:

Hi Brian,

I'm going to take this opportunity to admit something. I don't understand blogs. It took me a while to get used to using forums, such as this one. Now, I'm just confused about what blogs are for, how they work, what the rules of etiquette are, etc... Is there any kind of written explanation or instructions for using the blogs, or is this just something I'm supposed to know? I looked around on this site and didn't find anything. I'm not sure if I would use the blogs anyway, but I think others might benefit from this information.

Thanks,
Paul

I have a blog on Blog.com that I very rarely update. It is for my poetry, which is a spare occurrence to begin with. I have thought about keeping a photo blog, but the idea just bores me to tears. I hate to read them, so the idea of writing one kinda makes me feel a little hypocritical.

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Originally Posted by photophorous

Hi Brian,

I'm going to take this opportunity to admit something. I don't understand blogs. It took me a while to get used to using forums, such as this one. Now, I'm just confused about what blogs are for, how they work, what the rules of etiquette are, etc... Is there any kind of written explanation or instructions for using the blogs, or is this just something I'm supposed to know? I looked around on this site and didn't find anything. I'm not sure if I would use the blogs anyway, but I think others might benefit from this information.

Thanks,
Paul

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I can understand your confusion Paul.
If you look up at the green menu bar here, the one that starts out "My Account" and ends with "Log Out", you'll see a drop down for the blogs.
The blogs here, are generelly meant to be photographic in nature.
A blog in general is an online journal, so you can put whatever you like on it.
Just remember they are public, so anyone can see what you put.
Take a look at mine, I have it linked from my website.
Brian

Paul,

Blog is short for web log. Its basically a place where you can share your thoughts with the world. Some have themes (mine is focused on using information technology in photography) and others have no themes. The writers just write about whatever they want to write about.

I don't know if there is any formal blogging etiquette. Some bloggers style themselves as journalists and try to maintain journalistic integrity. Others use their blogs as their journal and don't use any formal standards. Some are somewhere in the middle.

Brian gave some pretty good instructions on how to reach the blogs section. Just remember that once you get there, you only need to type and click submit. It doesn't get anymore complicated than that.

Wow, it's great to here some honest feedback on the whole "blogging" process. I suspected there was some "resistance" to the whole process, and it's great to see it come to light.

Paul, my understanding of a Blog is that it's anything you want it to be. Some examples of blogging are: as a digital journal as Brian uses it; as a "brain dump" for some; or as an opinion/commentary piece for others. At its core it is just a blank slate which you get to fill up with your thoughts about whatever! Most people here choose to use their photographyreview blogs exclusively for photo-related thoughts. But there is no requirement that it be about photography. You could journal about your drive to work, or post your opinions about Coke vs. Pepsi, or endorse your favorite candidate in the '08 election. It's up to you. There are no "rules" as I understand it. Though of course the common courtesies and senses of decency apply.

And John, I feel exactly the way you feel. I was reluctant to start a blog because I knew doing so would imply that I should read others', as well. It's a choice I made knowing full well the time commitment it would entail. Not everyone is going to be able to make such a commitment.

While there is an unspoken implication that writing a blog means you should also be reading others' blogs, there is no rule stating that you must. I will freely admit that I have been focused more on my own and have not given the attention to other bloggers that I feel I could.

I hope that everyone will give it a chance. The "blogosphere" as they're calling it now does operate on the principle of reciprocity - if we want others to read ours, we're going to have to read theirs. Otherwise, the whole thing will fold up and not work.

My thoughts on the subject, at least!

And to answer Brian's original question, I have my blog listed in my signature below :D

Rick

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Originally Posted by masdog

Blog is short for web log.

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I didn't know that!! :D

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Originally Posted by walterick

I didn't know that!! :D

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:p :p :p :p :p

Thanks to everyone for the explanations. I think I pretty much understood it already, but it's nice to hear it from actual bloggers.

One other question. Is there any specific expectation for how often entries are made?

Paul

Paul...there is no expectation on when or how often you post, and you do when your muse moves you to (if your internet connection allows, that is).

I try to post at least once a week with mine, but it can be tough because I am installing and testing software or researching.

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Originally Posted by photophorous

One other question. Is there any specific expectation for how often entries are made?

Paul

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If there is then I am a failure.

frequency of entries depends on the purpose of the blog. If it's more of a proffesional, journalistic, editorial type of blog, entries would have to be fairly regular (daily or at least weekly) for it to remain of value to it's readers. More personal type blogs I don't think really matter. The fact is there really are no hard and fast rules. If you're going to be starting a blog and you really want people to go and visit, you need to give them a reason to come back, in other words provide information that's either informative or entertaining at a rate appropriate for your subject matter. Usually that would mean at least one entry per week, usually more, but like I said, there are no hard and fast rules. For instance if your blog was about the testing of new lenses as they come out, than one should probably limit the frequency of entries to the rate at which you actually evaluate lenses and receive relevant news breaks.

hope that helps.

here's mine by the way, it's being hosted by BLOGGER, I just started it recently and to be honest it's really pretty crappy, but then again, my blog isn't exactly my number one priority at this moment. ~ salvadorayala.blogspot.com

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Originally Posted by photophorous

One other question. Is there any specific expectation for how often entries are made?
Paul

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No, write something when you have something to say...
If you choose to do one here, the only real "rule" as it were, is keep it photography based.
But it's not a hard fast rule.
Brian
:thumbsup:

Blogs can be anything you want - in content, ettiquette (language choice, etc), frequency of posts, etc. They're really not a whole lot different than forums in that respect. Actually a lot of threads in Viewfinder are a lot like blogs - like a story and some pictures of a recent vacation or some other event in your life that you want to share.

I have a blog on our band's myspace page but it's really just about up and coming shows. Not very interesting or personal. I've thought about doing one here to replace thoughts of doing a "topic of the month" sort of post in Help. The big stumbling block at this point (well, other than time) is coming up with a hip & trendy name for the blog... Am I lame or what? :)

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Originally Posted by another view

The big stumbling block at this point (well, other than time) is coming up with a hip & trendy name for the blog... Am I lame or what? :)

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Come on Steve!
You can come up with a good name!
How about "Another View's View on Photography"!
Make sure you post a McMurtry photograph in it!
Brian
:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

How about "Another View's View on Photography"!

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That's about as good as anything I could come up with - so I'll hold out for other ideas! :D :p Keep 'em comin!

I thought Mike Johnston's The 37th Frame was a good one, but it doesn't really apply to me at least anymore...

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Originally Posted by another view

That's about as good as anything I could come up with - so I'll hold out for other ideas! :D :p Keep 'em comin!

I thought Mike Johnston's The 37th Frame was a good one, but it doesn't really apply to me at least anymore...

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LOL!
Can't say I didn't try!
I am here for you man, if I can help out!
Brian
:D :rolleyes: :p :thumbsup:

I will say what has been said, blogs can be what you want. Here is my blog that me and my friends update daily. http://crashintothesun.blogspot.com/ its a collective so feel free to join and go through as much as you want and leave comments.

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Just remember they are public, so anyone can see what you put...

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Actaully, the software allows members to make blog entries private if they wish, or only viewable by our buddy list. We just have to be aware of what is accessible to whom when we post it... :cool:

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Originally Posted by another view

I thought Mike Johnston's The 37th Frame was a good one, but it doesn't really apply to me at least anymore...

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Hmmm, mine would have been The 36th Frame, cause when I shot film, I only shot 35 frames to a roll, so I could cut them into 7 strips of 5... :idea:

BTW, Steve, my idea for your blog name would be Another View's New Zoo Review. :thumbsup:

And if you remember that show, you're a lot older than I thought... :D

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Originally Posted by photophorous

Is there any specific expectation for how often entries are made?...

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Paul, take a look at my blog (link in my signature below). Six months ago, I absolutely abhored blogs and all the useless drivel folks wrote on them. But when John approached us with this idea, I gave it some serious thought and I swear a lightbulb went off in my head... :idea:

When used the right way (and by that I mean keeping entries short and interesting), it's a great tool for letting people keep up with things you're involved with.

I think so far my entries have a pretty good pacing to them. For the most part, I'm trying to stay photo-oriented, the rest of the time throwing out little odds and ends that others may find funny or interesting...:cool:

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Originally Posted by Asylum Steve

BTW, Steve, my idea for your blog name would be Another View's New Zoo Review. :thumbsup:

And if you remember that show, you're a lot older than I thought... :D

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No, I just feel like it... :D Keep 'em comin!