I could listen to you talking about creativity for hours. Your content improved so much over the last months and your new concepts are a breath of fresh air! 💯🙌🏽
I am going to be honest Chris - For a long time I never really enjoyed your content because I felt like it was catered to the algorithm. But lately, I've been LOVING your content because of your authenticity, creativity and overall vibe. But maybe it was envy in the beginning, who knows LOL
Same for me. Chris matured to being himself. I could always see he was working hard. But now he's also real and I'm always happy to give his new stuff a watch. I don't even open PM, Matti or similar notifications anymore. It just feels like sustaining their views by catering to the algorithm.
I really like these honest talks about what's been going on on social media platforms. Also respect to those creators who guide other ppl that have the potential to make their own original content.
This couldn't have come at a more perfect time! I literally was just talking to my community about how much I'm sick of doing trends and doing what everyone else is doing because it's the only way I'll grow. It's limiting my creativity, so now I'm going to do what I want to do because at the end of the day I need to do what makes me happy and the rest will follow!
“Are you a chef?” BEST. QUOTE. OF THE DAY!!! To answer your question, I create for RU-vid specifically because this is the community where I feel most comfortable putting the work that I love to do out there. With client work, with short films, with music videos, etc., at the end of the day it’s usually for somebody else. RU-vid is exclusively for me and it’s exclusively done by me. The community here is tough to get into but once you are into it it is an incredibly supportive and a “manifesting” place to be. So yes, the barrier of entry is high but is high because it’s worth it. It makes you work harder and work better and work in a more creative method. That’s why I’ve been doing this since 2015 and while I only have 2000 and a bit subscribers, it’s not gonna slow me down. If anything it’ll speed me up.
You really hit home with the whole "we worry about what strangers think of us so we copy known good content to ensure we dont get put down" idea. I think I am a victim of this sometimes. I really worry. But in that same breath, example, I got a picture of a car which is not a usual angle but I loved it and posted it to my IG account. I was proud and happy with it. And honestly, you are SO RIGHT! I have done that a couple of times (a nontraditional angle of a car for a photo) and those are the photos I am most proud of. The original feels better than the "safe shots". Thank you for just giving that gentle reminder as I learn more about this hobby of mine and grow from it.
Just yesterday I confirmed there is an Instagram account that is literally stealing my ideas. At the point that they posted three variations of one of the last posts I made. At first, it made me feel so down. I mean, I am not by any means the shutter to look up in town... definitely not! And yes, I am putting a lot of time into growing my account with the most eye-catching photos I can make. Thanks a lot for this video!!! You just taught me the right way to deal with bad copycats.
Great thoughts Chris! Agree that original content creators don't get the credit deserved by the algorithms. There are literally big accounts that only do trends and no original content but get rewarded by the algorithms. 🤷🏻♂️
Admitting the truth to yourself (and being brutally honest as to WHY you are making the admission) can be one of the hardest things one can do for oneself. But in the spirit of long-term growth in personal perspective and genuine creativity...it is the best road to take.
I hate the way the internet has transformed the content I myself both watch and create. Heck if I were chasing the views I’d have given up years ago! Personally I create the content I myself enjoy to watch, which isn’t many people who do my style, but it’s never been about money for me. I feel so many creators now go into video creation for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing wrong with that, but short form content is where the money seems to flow. I did think about something the other day though. I can name so many creators on RU-vid, people I’ve watched for years and years. I can’t name a single one on tiktok, everything is just so fast and gone with a swipe it matters not who made the video, just that I’ve digested it and moved on, and I find that really really sad :( Great video though!
No lie, you touched me deeply with this message. I will forever hold it in my brain and close to my heart. What if the person I looked up to was me? Wow profound and mind blowing. 🤯 I never thought of it like that before. I searched account after account on IG for inspo and to try figure out where I fit in as a creator. I am finally finding my groove by sort of just doing my own thing with my on style. These apps make you feel like you have to keep chasing and becoming what you are not in order to find success. I have come to terms with being who I am and whoever digs my style of content will follow. I now chase my dream, not follows. I feel much happier as a creator now and my die hard fans tell me often that in my photos I look so happy, and I can honestly say that I really am. Thanks man for your message because it just reaffirm that I am doing the right thing. Much love ❤️
I can understand if at first you see a style you like/ is successful and use that as a launching pad. Creating is can be a like a chopped salad of different ideas blended till something new. It’s problematic when your “thing” is continuously ripping off other peoples thing verbatim. You’re not giving yourself room to grow and find your groove and ultimately doing yourself the biggest disservice. Great vid!!
What's happening now on social media is really frustrated, but we should keep going and push ourselves to create more original content. Thanks for the valuable informations you're sharing Chris 🙏
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I feel the exact same way, it's true, the algorithm is killing our creativity. Instagram feeds are the same, I watch the exact same video made by multiple creators in a day... haha, and yes, I should also be doing better things with my time. I have recently also taken a step back to really ask myself, what is it that I want to create, not what's trending or what everybody else is doing and I really hope my originality attracts the right audience who genuinely like and enjoy my content style and my message.
I completely agree with you that social media is effecting what we create. I wish I could say that I don't fall victim to it but I absolutely do. I really love this video and the message! I have been trying to stay off of social media as much as possible for this very reason (plus it takes up way too much time). Seriously, fantastic video! Love it!
When you feel down, you hang your head down and see a sticker at the bottom of your jacket that says "what if the person you looked up to was you." GENIUS.
I use to make vids that I thought other peoples would like, but I hated to make them. I deleted them all, and started over. I am not the best creator in the world, but I do love creating😃 Thanks Chris👍
i personally love these deep dive, honest looks at oneself. It's definitely something I've been grappling with as well and love seeing a massive creator such as yourself deal with similar questions (albeit on a different scale!). Keep it up chris (and lizzie)!
You should have kept the sweater on for our therapy session Dr. Hau. I wouldn't feel so dirty writing the check for the therapy session this time. That quote is not only the best damn quote I have heard lately but exactly what I needed to hear as I am struggling through a creative block bubble now. I need to stop looking at others for inspiration and get back to my damn roots. DAMN YOU CANADA FOR MAKING SENSE AGAIN. Love from America.
I think I'm at my creative best when I make original skits. Random conversations and/or situations that I think of and just write random dialogue for. The best compliment is when people ask, "Where do you even come up with all this?" It might be random, but it's original, and hopefully, it makes people smile/laugh. That's the goal.
Chris love your channel … you are real and authentic!!. In my case (a chemist by career with a heart of photographer! :) ) I find creativity as therapy and as a Way to connect with myself and get rid of the world noise… some people call it mindfulness. When I concentrate in light patterns, shadows, exposure… image…etc. I literally disconnect from the world! … Keep up the amazing work man!
It is easier to anwer the question why I do not create? Because when looking at all the social media, I get a feeling that I will NEVER be as good as some of the work I see. I do know that this is not true. But still it is the feeling you get when looking at other peoples work. You should always create something for youself. That way if you are happy with what you create, you have fullfilled your goal. If others like it also, it is a plus, but not mandatory. Saying this, I need to create something this weekend. If it is just a 1 minute clip, let it be. Thanks Chris for reminding this.
I’m kinda loss for words. There goes my essay LoL. Man what a great video post Chris. I’ve been following you for quite some time and have really enjoyed your content. When you referenced, “What if the person you looked up was you” really hit hard. Wow, like, I felt it in my soul. Kinda gasped for a second there. I needed to hear that. I’ve been doubting my potential but I know my self worth. Thank you friend!
No algorithm can replace just being a bad ass videographer/marketer and no algorithm is needed when your a nice person and get on with clients. Work breeds work, snowball effect with word of mount 🙌🏼
I agree With your Thesis. What I do to combat this is to only watch creators videos that I actually like and want to learn from. I started to unfollow people a lot once I started thinking this way.
100% agree it does cause people to not be so creative. Also distorts everyone’s idea of improving. Some people think it happens over night. Main aim is to step into videography more as well as continuing photography to widen my skill set. I will implement the BTS of these into reels. This will be more creative but also add value to people.
I saw that stolen vide idea and that sucks for real. Hate that :( Your sketches are amazing, keep them coming. I'm following you for a few years already and currently your content is on peak 🔥
Funny timing, I watched this video during rendering short animation on topic why do I create. And the answer is really simple - "It is about turning an idea into something real. It just makes me who I am". Also you are right about algorithms, projects which I recently enjoyed the most are the ones, which I do not intended to post in the beggining, just wanted to make them and they grew into something bigger. I like new merch, thanks for keep inspiring us all.
Great video Chris! Like you, I started creating hoping that I would get famous one day. But the more I created, the more I actually enjoyed what I was doing, and now I deeply love photography and videography, to the point that I feel a bit depressed from time to time because I can’t create as much as I’d like to because of my studies… That was the introduction of my essay. Just kidding 🤦♂️ Well, now I don’t care about numbers anymore and actually enjoy the whole process of creating content and learning from masters like you, Peter, Matti, Sam Kolder or Niklas Christl :) Thanks for reading this long comment ahah, wish you a great day!
The Wish version spoke volumes to me. There is a difference between inspiration and IP theft. But the being scared thing is absolutely true. This was a really nice video to be able to sit back and watch and listen to.
I remember taking a train was the only thing that used to disconnect me for real from things when i felt... saturated, i started going again and realized i loved the dark and grittiness setting of urban places. (granted i live in an Island its colorful in the most part) i started creating because i want to show how i literally see the world and tell my story while im at it.
I gotta say, your content lately has been so inspiring and full of soul. Not that before it was bad, but there is a new feeling to it, that resonates with me more. Bravo for the braveness in sharing and exposing yourself! Also the skits are golden!
Definitely agree. Kinda bugs me too. The whole 'let's just re-do what someone else did' is not interesting. It gets old real fast. When I'm on social media (and I try to limit my time spent there so I spend more time actually creating like you talk about) I want to see original things! Things that inspire! Not a bunch of the same 'trending' replays. Great message Chris. Love your content man
Food for thoughts! Many people are constantly searching for validation from the outside. As for following the trends, I absolutely relate to your thinking 👍
I've been consistent on youtube and Instagram for the last few years and it stinks the external growth (views, subscribers) havent grown. However, the internal growth has grown exponentially. My goal is to inspire other people to adventure and show off the beautiful state of Alaska from a Photographers perspective. I'm glad to know that the bigger channels are getting annoyed with the copy/paste trends. My Instagram reels with original content, audio will get a few hundred views, but the copy/paste audio and social content gets thousands. Thanks for the reminder that i won't fall into the trend of zero creativity.
I completely agree. So annoying to have everyone make the same thing because its trending. I would so much rather see original content even if it is not as polished. It honestly makes me not want to create because it feels like just adding to the noise.
I've been following you for a while and this content is really inspiring and very honest. It's definitely something the world is lacking more and more every day, so it's always good to listen to talks like this. It also helps in these gray Canadian days from Montreal :)
Agreed! Also, I'd say the problem is much broader - other creative areas such as web and product design seem to have the same issue. Loads of rules and definitions to apply what makes everything look the same 🤷♂️
I’ve been following your content for a while and I definitely have to say that since you started to embrace your own style and person your videos feel more honest and authentic and I really appreciate that! I myself also feel that following trends and what works means doing things that I maybe don’t even enjoy and it kills my personal creativity. Because chasing other people’s content will always feel like you are not doing yourself justice. This video made me realise this and I very much enjoyed you talking about creativity ✨
This is so true and it's sad so many of us have forgotten this. It's also incredibly frustrating, like you pointed out, that when you do create something original it either tanks or everyone else capitalises on your idea. Hopefully this will inspire more people to be themselves (as cliché as that is).
Omg I completely agree ! And your latest videos are truly amazing and inspiring ! So glad to see a big youtuber/creator talk about these topics instead of just continuing on the algorithm "normal" path ! 👏👏
Yes, I agree. A continual barrage of perceived pressure to comply with trends kills creativity and the joy of creating. The ability to copy and nail trends and styles is VITAL if you are a commercial photographer shooting to brief, but to create apart from that, or to your own brand, one needs to risk. I will also say if the person I was looking up to is me, I should get out more! 😂
Dude it’s been great watching you more and more as you started doing your thing. It’s so obvious you love it more, more energy more vibes. Keep up your way!
agee totally. have to say yes youre right times are changing, social media are getting to much into creators thing. Sad but true. This is even more why I appreciate videos about instagram and other platforms and how they change and evolve (often in a wrong way) this is usefull and necessary for people to understand. Maybe you shoud send it a bit further to some creators of these apps and their bosses. It's always good to give it a shout. Anyway another great work Chris. I really apreciate all the work you put in. Inspired, energized - always! kudos!
6:14 Preach, Chris! I came to the same realization myself not too long ago. We all have to realize they follow us because they like us and want to see us.
I've been feeling this from a long time and it feels like being left out . The idea of "fitting in " starts striking in but then realize that escaping the idea of "fitting in " was the reason I started creating my own. I know it's hard sometimes and I've been feeling it myself, but creators like you and contents like these keeps me going. Thanks Chris.💓
What a nice and honest video! Really liked it! And to be completely transparent… at the time you were the “wish version of Peter” I unfollowed you because something didn’t fit… but you got my subscription and interest back as soon as you posted your more original content… so maybe this is a proof of concept that being yourself is always better. Keep up the good and creative work! 🤘
This video is a nice showcase on how we should see ourselves. I just came across to your channel and I'm very pleased to see such good content on this platform. Now, I want to answer to your final question. I like to create things because I just prove to myself that I can do something memorable and to boost my self esteem.
