My issue with Foodgawker (and similar sites)

Okay so here's the deal... I have an issue.

I may be shooting myself in the foot with this, but I. Have. An. Issue.

...with Foodgawker (and similar sites). No wait. It's with Foodgawker. I've had none of the following problems with similar sites. This is a Foodgawker rant.

For those of you who don't know what Foodgawker is, essentially it's a food porn website where people can upload images they've taken of shit they've made and have posted to a website, creating a space - albeit a very limited space - on which you can promote your blog.

Seems like a good idea right? Sure. In theory. But the way this site determines whether or not your photos get accepted irks me. Hence: I have an issue.

For Foodgawker your photos have to be very specific. The lighting has to be just right, the positioning of the food has to be manipulated just so, the depth of field has to be outstanding, and so on and so on and so on. And even then, depending on who receives your photo on the other end, it may or may not be approved based on a very subjective view of what counts as a decent photograph. I've submitted multiple pictures that are absolutely no different than other images I've seen on that site and been turned down. What the fuck? 

I even read in an interview with the founder of Foodgawker that if at first you don't succeed, submit again. So I did. And the reason I was turned down a second time? ....because I had already submitted that photo previously. Again I ask: What. The. Fuck?

Mrrrraaarrrrrhhhh!! Anger and frustration! That's right! Anger and frustration!

Now, there are classic techniques of photography that make photos appealing to the eye. Totally. I get that. Sure.

But, food is meant to be experienced! I want to see the textures, and the colors, and the cracks and personality and love. I don't want my pictures to look like everyone else's. Their food and their experiences aren't my food and my experiences. I don't want to craft my craft according to very limited, industry specific standards that sell my vision short.

Conformity is boring. Sameness is boring. Repetition is boring.

Perfection is Boring.  

Do you hear me Foodgawker?? Perfection is boring! I think your resource could be very useful but why not establish some hard guidelines regarding submissions for your site? Or if you have guidelines, be a little more upfront with them? Or not be such snobs about the "quality" of the pictures you accept. Because it is snobbery.

I have submitted 37 photos... And 4 have been accepted. See? 

Four. Out of 37. I know I'm taking good pictures. Just because they don't fit into someone's snobby narrow definition of what food photography should look like doesn't mean they shouldn't be seen. 

....I guess that's why I have this blog. I'm making my own space. Heck! Let's extend this conversation to life - make your own space! If you don't agree with something, or it doesn't work for you, or something else feels right - without sounding like a Nike ad (because we all know how evil Nike is and if you don't, you should google that shit) - just do it. Look and live and love freely! Be magical! And whimsical! And different! And irresponsible! And make mistakes! Don't fit yourself into a narrow definition of what is right or beautiful or sexy or proper or whatever the current cultural norm is. Just don't! Instead, do your own version!

Wow, that rant got away from me a little bit, didn't it?

....Even after all this, I'll probably still submit my photographs to their site. Let's face it - when they do get accepted, it's great traffic for my blog. But I'm not changing my photography for them. If I happen to fall into the right photograph, score. But otherwise, I'm gettin' my freaka' on. Ow! Ow!


End rant.

What do you think about Foodgawker? How do you feel about regulation of the arts? Do you think we need a standard to be upheld? Or does that limit possibilities?

Or... How do you defy the "norm"? Yeah! How do you make your own space? How do you negotiate the "norm" and your truth? Could I be any more cheesy?

 

This post is linked up with The Gallery of Favorites via the 21st Century Housewife.