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Soapbox: Don’t aspire to be Instagram famous

I came across a wikiHow article recently titled “How to Become Instagram famous (with pictures).” Out of curiosity I read through the article. All of the steps seemed to make sense — use hashtags, follow other people, consider quality, choose a catchy username — but I was surprised at the fact this was something someone spent time putting together and worse that I took the time to read it.

Considering yourself a photographer in this digital age is incredibly easy. Smartphones have pretty much replaced the need to buy point-and-shoot cameras and acquiring an DSLR camera with easy-to-learn settings for our tech savvy generation is also as affordable as ever. Multiple social media sites make it simple to share your photos almost instantly. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. To connect with people everywhere so easily is amazing and can provide so many unique opportunities.

It’s the steady transition into a different way of thinking that I think is ruining social media sites like the photo-based Instagram. What I see happening to many I follow is once some of their friends start liking and validating their work it turns in to this challenge and need to reach out and receive as many followers as possible, selectively choosing, editing and embellishing their lives to please other people and receive the maximum number of likes on every photo.

What I would like to ask those seeking Instagram fame, even if they are doing it unconsciously is: What is all of this work for? Having thousands of followers on Instagram shouldn’t give the validation of being an accomplished photographer or even make you feel like more of a person. Getting wrapped up in this popularity contest seems like a huge waste of time.

Now, I know this isn’t particularly a pressing topic; there are obviously more important issues affecting our society. What I see happening is something generations before us have not had to even had to think about. The amount of time and energy spent social networking instead of going out and socializing with the people that you follow is what I worry about.

— Mikayla Kapp is a sophomore majoring in graphic design. This is her second semester as photo editor. Please send comments to mikaylakapp@gmail.com