Shirley Manson of Garbage once remarked on the sheer variety of opinions that came out regarding the band’s then latest album ‘Beautiful Garbage.’ She seemed deeply amused that what some people were saying about the album existed as a direct contradiction of what other people were saying. To some fans the album seemed to have more guitars on it than their previous efforts; to others it seemed to have fewer. Surely they couldn’t have all been correct?
Perception is a funny thing. An inherently hopelessly subjective thing.
A year ago, as a fresh face on YouTube I decided the best way to deal with criticism on the site was to philosophise. I decided ultimately that it wasn’t possible to describe anything at all; the best approximation any of us could do was describe our relationship to another object, thing or person. At the time it gave me a new perspective. It actually gave me a good deal of peace. When people came out of the woodwork to criticise my efforts I paused for a moment and then let it go.
I mention this because I anticipate I lack the same ability to really describe my own work, be it on YouTube or anywhere else. My estimations are surely as imperfect and inherently subjective as anyone else’s. Surely I am only able to describe my own relationship to anything I do.
I was as puzzled and amused as I imagine Shirley Manson was when I received a strange message via YouTube.
Your [sic] Getting Good
Far out.. your recent vlogs are just great.. from a technical point of view and a just vlogger point of view.. they are really good..
Well if nothing else, at least we agree on my status as ‘vlogger.’
I am amused because nothing ‘from a technical point of view’ has actually changed. If anything, I moved into a different room to record. I find it funny because like the dilemma of less or more guitars, it is clearly not an opinion shared by everyone.
silverscreamgrl (6 hours ago)
The one thing I noticed the most throughout this entire video is the fact that you very seldom looked me in the eye. You were totally shady, avoiding eye contact with me. You will rectify this in your next video.
Perhaps I am reading too much into this comment. I took the ‘You were totally shady’ remark very literally. The sun changes quite dramatically throughout the video in question. The exposure which is automatically set by the camera itself seems to change during the video to try and compensate. At times there is a bright background behind me, and at others I am clinging to the shadows like a villain in a Batman comic.
Surely not a technical improvement on earlier videos with more consistent exposure?
The lack of eye contact seems to keep coming up as a theme. From another video:
twish1999 (5 days ago)
[...] MINUS SIDE…You should look at the camera more, instead of everywhere else!
It seems petty to pick apart what was essentially a very nice compliment from the original person (whose name I’ve left out of this post). I don’t doubt the sincerity of it. Again, perhaps I am just being cynical, but I tend to think the praise is coming as a result of this person actually not watching my videos very often. Thus having fewer examples to compare between.
Don’t get me wrong; I actually think I do have a special talent for making videos. I just don’t think recent examples are the best representation of myself or my talents. Though I suppose a compliment is a compliment, and I’ll take it on the chin (so to speak).
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
To me it’s strange that people are asking you to make more eye contact. I suppose from my perspective as a documentarian, it is more customary to have the person looking off camera at an oblique angle, probably because they are supposed to make eye contact with the person that is interviewing them instead.
I think looking away from the camera signifies a more introspective mood most of the time. I suppose if this is a habit that you are trying to overcome, then I better stop saying things to reinforce the “documentary” style….
Style… maybe this is just your style of vlogging? Why must you conform and be controlled by the “vlogging rules” that others place before you? OMG I am just no help tonight, eh?
Peace and Best Wishes.