A few months ago I was feeling pretty dis-encouraged with my videography due to the fact that it does not get nearly as much attention (generally) as my photography. When others make a video that get thousands of hits in a matter of days and I struggle to get more then a few hundred (with a few exceptions) over years of the video being up it’s easy to think that my videography is getting ignored.

But let’s review a few facts: I’ve been doing photography for a long time, close to a Decade now whereas I’ve only been interested in video for 3-4 years. I’ve done photography Professionally, whereas I’m a total amateur when it comes to Videography.

I have more experience and knowledge with Photography then I do video work; so instead of viewing it as “My Videography is getting Ignored” maybe I should look at it as “My Photography is getting Acknowledged” as ultimately THAT is what I am known for.

That said, along with my “coming to terms with myself” moment I had last month, I took a look back at my Videography too. Actually it was taking a second look at my Videography that pushed me over the edge of realizing “I can do better with my life” vs my Photography which I have long since buried any self-doubt over.

There are a few other factors of why I feel under-appreciated or atleast ask myself “why am I doing this” when it came to my Videography outside of feeling that I wasn’t getting enough hits by number alone on YouTube.

First was I felt Obligated to do it, from a local perspective. In our local community Photographers grossly outweigh Videographers. I think Photography in general people feel is easier to get into hence why you see many more Photographers then Videographers in the Fandom. There is perhaps another reason for that… which I will get into later.

At the time there was no one up here I could relate to. I felt like it was my responsibility to take over Videography for the local community all by myself because there was no one else who wanted to do it.

I’ve learned that working with a Team is much more rewarding then working as a Lone Wolf which a lot of Photographers and Videographers do. So I kinda want to help break that mold…

The second reason is I felt intimidated. With Photography there is maybe a few photographers who are a LITTLE better known then others but it’s not like OMG you are such and such and become a celebrity as it is with Videography.

I realized I was no EZ Wolf or BBF (and will never be at that “level”). I think this goes for a lot of people in the Fandom as well and is part of the reason there are a lot more aspiring photographers who get credit for their work but aspiring videographers are a lot less common in general and those who are out there get very little credit. Furry Fandom Videographers are either a nobody or a celebrity and there is little inbetween. I’d like to see this mold changed too.

Then I realized something, which is that I have the same enjoyment for my Videography that I have with my Photography. Maybe I’m not as “good” at it. I’m defiantly not as well known for it. If I am enjoying myself and have the same fun filming, editing and geeking out about video gear at the end of the day – does it really matter?

I hate to sound selfish but yes, I realize I am in a big part doing Videography because I enjoy doing it. And that’s the way it should be. I shouldn’t feel I’m “obligated” to do it, nor should I feel like I’m not good or famous enough and therefore why even bother. I’m pretty sure others have fallen into this rut before.

So I won’t be a Celebrity Videographer… so what. If 10 people really like my work does that make those people any less important then 1,500 people liking my video? No it shouldn’t. I should be happy that those 10 people enjoyed my video and that I enjoyed making it. That should be enough.
I will end this by saying there are other factors that are coming full circle which will help me push forward with my Videography.

First I made friends with another Videographer who will be working with me (as a team) at Furry Migration and at the same time take a lot of the “obligation” off my shoulders. Though he’s not local now he will be, and it will be nice to both have someone I trust and respect help out and at the same time just geek out with like I do with my more common Photography friends.

Secondly I’ve been reading on videography and realize I just need to take some of the hints but otherwise just get out and film. Having at least one other videographer I can hang out with and ask questions will help me learn and give me more reasons to practice as well.

Finally I did get a few gear upgrades and now have a “golf bag” of video equipment as I do with my Photography gear. I like having options. Even if I can’t afford the top of the line equipment having different gear for different situations in Video works out just as well as it does in photography. Recently I got a really good price on my first “Full Pro” cinema video camera- a Panasonic AF100. It also to some extent merges still photography with video but offers more features (such as extended battery life, XLR inputs, ability to monitor audio and Zebras) while taking all the pros and the quality of videography done with my mirrorless still cameras which take really good video but are limited in some of the features a pro camcorder offers.

I’ve invested a lot of time and money into Videography just as I have my Photography. It would be a waste and a shame to let it all be for nothing and Quit simply because I don’t see myself “good” or “famous” enough.

No, I’m going to push forward with my Video work. And for those who HAVE enjoyed my Videos I’ve uploaded in the past few years: Thank You. Really. It means a lot.

I will learn, I will get better. I’ll never be the “best” but at the same time…

Do I have or even WANT to be?