Small Is Beautiful

I don't know about you, but I've often wondered why I even bother to share my stories on my blog or post photos on Flickr when there is already a cornucopia of awesome bloggers and mindblowing photographers out there on the world wide web.  It's hard to fight the feelings of insignificance and unworthiness that creep up every time I post a story or a photo, as I nervously wonder if anyone else out there will find what I have to share even remotely interesting. 

Fortunately, I discovered the Small Is Beautiful Manifesto (curated by Magpie Girl and our own Jen Lemen), and boy, what a load off my back that was!  Read it for yourselves, and you'll know what I'm talking about.  While that little manifesto was written with bloggers in mind, I think it's just as applicable to photographers.  I really do believe that our photos matter, regardless of who actually sees them.  If a photo you capture holds meaning for you, or stirs your soul, or makes you laugh or smile or think or cry, then it matters, even if the profundity or joke or wisdom or sentiment may elude every one else.  If you are passionate about photography, then taking photos for the pure love and joy of it is more important than how many views or comments you receive on Flickr or your photoblog.

Go ahead.  Experience the freedom that comes from believing that Small Really Is Beautiful.  You won't regret it.

And feel free to share a link to a photo that matters to YOU. 

*Edited to add: Just to be clear, the  book pictured above is E.F. Schumacher's book about "economics as if people mattered" and NOT the Small Is Beautiful Manifesto, which is not a book at all, but a short statement of beliefs that will take most people less than a minute to read.  So don't be afraid to click on the link! 

Comments

[Damien Franco]

Your work is beautiful because you put your self into it. That is what's most important. Do it for yourself and others will appreciate it more.

[nicky thomas]

Hello Shutter Sisters

Christmas 2005 i had 3 gifts from my boyfriend. The first was an SLR camera body, the second a nice lens and the third a set of macro filters. I was speechless. I had wanted a decent camera for years but never been able to afford one. This was bliss. I would have married the man on the spot (took a few years to get that one sorted out though!).
I must have taken about 3 films worth of photos that morning, desperately frustrated that the photo developing shop was closed ! This was one of the very first photos that i took. It was in my parents back garden and i remember my mum tutting at me on my knees in the frost trying to get a sharp photo.
This is the photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/482998678/

I'm still happy with it today. Its only a small thing, now long gone, but i had such a sense of achievement when the film was finally developed.

Nicky x

[Flower]

This reminds me of I post I wrote a while ago.

http://theflowerlife.blogspot.com/2008/03/brilliance.html

I love the Small is Beautiful manifesto. It really inspired me and it's great that there's such a lovely encouraging community out there in cyberspace!

[Anke]

I love all your posts....they are all so inspiring and get my creative juices flowing....thanks! This book sounds really interesting, of course I thought about that too before. So good to know that I'm not alone with those thoughts sometimes. Smiles, Anke ;)

[Shelli]

I will put this on my list of books to read. I have felt the same way at times, and I decided that I truly have to keep my website for myself, for fun and to get my creative juices flowing. If people stop by and enjoy it, I'm thrilled. But attracting people to it can't be what it's all about.

I am having fun learning what I can do with my camera and iPhoto (and soon, Photoshop!). I love this photo that I cropped the other day. Love the reflection of the porch railing in the raindrop.

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#23

[Kacey]

Oh, I love that Manifesto! Thanks for sharing the link. I feel like why bother quite often with my photography. There are so many GREAT photographers out there. But I keep taking my photos and trying to improve. I keep writing my blog posts.

Here is a series of shots I took in my son's apartment of an Ansel Adams photo he has on his wall, from different perspectives. I guess I like these shots so much because this son shares my passion for photography...and Ansel Adams...and mountains.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/04/18/all-about-perspectives/

[Valya Dudycz Lupescu]

This is such a beautiful site. I have been a longtime admirer, and now I'd like to invite the Shutter Sisters and those who visit their site to submit photographs for a print journal, Conclave: A Journal of Character.

I would be honored to showcase some of the work that has appeared here. We accept submissions from April 1-July 1, 2008.

Conclave is an annual print journal that focuses on character-driven writing. We also print black and white photographs.

For more information, plase visit our Web site:
www.conclavejournal.com

Valya Dudycz Lupescu, Editor
Conclave: A Journal of Character

[Leah]

I love it! I get that feeling when cruising flickr sometimes.

Especially when I don't do "artsy" photos, just the ones that document my life.

Like this :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakeline/2422606984/

[Valya Dudycz Lupescu]

These are such great photos! I'd like to invite you and those who visit this site to submit photographs for a print journal, Conclave: A Journal of Character.

I would be honored to showcase some of the work that has appeared here. We accept submissions from April 1-July 1, 2008.

Conclave is an annual print journal that focuses on character-driven writing. We also print black and white photographs.

For more information, please visit our Web site:
www.conclavejournal.com

Valya Dudycz Lupescu, Editor
Conclave: A Journal of Character

[Sarah - Ji]

Anke and Shelli--

You will be happy to know that the Small Is Beautiful Manifesto is not actually a book but a very short paragraph! I admit the photo is misleading, as I happened to own a book called Small Is Beautiful.

So no need to wait to read this lovely little (yet powerful) manifesto: http://www.magpie-girl.com/small-is-beautiful-bloggers-manifesto/

[camerashymomma]

well said as usual! small is most definitely beautiful!! it's funny, i have the oppposite reaction, when too many people comment on photos or writing, i find myself putting this invisible pressure on myself like it becomes about others in that moment (like i was discovered playing under the covers with a flashlight, even though that's self-imposed, i mean, i choose to put my own writing and words out there... it's just that i still expect that no one is watching me) and then i have to perform and find myself losing the joy of doing just what i love and love to see and love to read. (um, i have issues!) maybe that's an extrovert vs. introvert thing? ok, i'm hitting 'create post' before i just delete this whole comment! :)

[tracey]

i love the manifesto too. i saw the ladies speak about it at BlogHer last summer and everyone who left the session seemed relieved and refreshed remembering that all that matters is our passion (not our traffic).
it's easy to lose sight of that when we are doing so much sharing online. like when posts we really pour ourselves into or photos that we are very proud of don't get comments. it feels disappointing sometimes. what is important is how we feel about what we are putting out into the world. and if it does our heart good, than that really should be enough.
great post sarah-ji!

[Janine]

Found this small one in my front yard...

http://flickr.com/photos/25744047@N03/2428188008/

[natala]

I took this on a walk in a garden.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheart/2428244336/

[melanie]

I love the spirit behind 'small is beautiful'. funny timing as this week I found myself being really intimidated to put my photos out there in the midst of such talented and gifted people. however, it has been a very joyful time for me just being creative and snapping away! :)

here is my contribution http://www.flickr.com/photos/23637958@N06/2427755351/

[elizabeth laufer]

Everything that has been said really clicks with me tee hee. I am such a beginner and sometimes feel unworthy but then I remember that this is my path and it helps me on my way. Here is a little vignette my son set out on the picnic table yesterday. I love the bright colors and the darkness on top and bottom. I don't know why but this one stuck out to me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2427793123/

[Chris]

Love it, love it, love it! How simply perfect. I signed up my blog to be part of their list. I tried to get the button to put on my blog but there's an error code on the page. I'm so glad you told us about this. Thanks!

[vivienne]

thanks for posting this! when i first heard about the 'small is beautiful' manifesto it spoke right to me. i hadn't really thought about the way that it can be translated to photography too. much thanks for your insight on this!

i blogged about the small is beautiful idea today prompted by this.

http://ladyvivienne.blogspot.com/2008/04/discovering-my-sensibilities.html

[Lawyer Mama]

Yes, I remember the Small is Beautiful Manifesto and I really took it to heart. I will never be an A list blogger because it's just not that important to me. I will never be super popular on Flickr or in Explore a lot (or at all!) because I just don't care enough to court comments and accolades.
I think it's human nature to want others to look at what we're proud of and see or read what we've created. We just have to remember that what we write and photograph isn't about that.

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2423965115/

[Kathleen]

Ah - the little things. Like little grins and little chubby cheeks...And the big things, like a WHOLE ENTIRE Sunday to play!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2428804571/

[Shalet]

Here is one from me, just a little seed pod I found in the yard.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peculiarmomma/2423279467/

[kpapa]

I totally agree. That is why I have a dog - she makes me laugh every day and fills the "in between" moments with joy. The small things become more beautiful when shared with someone you love, even if that someone has paws and a tail.

http://mytworedshoes.blogspot.com/2008/04/vintage-nellie.html

[Kim]

My favorite picture of my girls is on my website under Poem. They have the most beautiful freckles and my older daughter wrote a poem and I posted their picture with it. I am not so savvy on Flickr yet. Your site is beautiful.

[mary]

I've always loved small things. And I have sworn off checking the sitemeter, and decided that capturing or writing something beautiful each day is my only goal.

Here is the smallest of buds on a great maple tree -- a tiny sign ofspring to come:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9068078@N05/2422991583/

[Rose]

Since the beginning of 2008, I've been trying to take more photos and really improve my photography. I started a blog where I share new pics each Tuesday. It's nothing really compared to the rest of the intraweb, bit it means something to me. The photos I take, while mostly of my own kids, mean the world to me. How thankful I am for my camera (Nikon D40-given to me as a gift) and the wonderful children I am blessed to raise.

This is my favorite photo from 2008:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rstarrphotography/2430796481/

It's tough taking pics of snowflakes!!!!
~Rose

[Kelly]

Oh, thank you so much for sharing the Small is Beautiful manifesto! I love it! It really speaks to me as it is so easy to get overwhelmed by the amazing photos and blog posts you see from others and forget that big or small, we all have wonderful things to contribute in our own way!

Here's a photo I took yesterday and I absolutely love the surprising little detail I discovered when I uploaded it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2431524213/

[naomi]

My big sister, in action, on her longboard.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2191055007/in/photostream/

I still want to be just like her.

[kosenrufu mama]

thank you for these words, i agree with you at all!!!
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/