Why Your "Bad" Photos Often Get More Likes

Originals

Jan 26

I was talking to a fellow photographer recently who shared a struggle that sounds almost universal. They said that whenever they post an image they are incredibly proud of, one that is technically perfect and deeply considered, it often goes unnoticed. Yet, when they post an image they consider "not great" or just a casual snap, the response is overwhelming.

It is easy to feel like the world is mocking your hard work. But if we look past the screen and into human psychology, we find that the gap between your best work and your most popular work is actually a compliment to your humanity.

The Curse of the Professional Eye

As photographers, we are trained to look for technical excellence. We look at dynamic range and sharpness and the perfect balance of tonal values. We see the struggle that went into the shot. When we look at our "great" images, we are often seeing our own skill reflected back at us.

The person on the other side of the screen is looking for something else entirely. They are looking for a feeling. A technically perfect monochrome image can sometimes feel clinical or distant to someone who isn't a photographer. It is a masterpiece of light, but it might not be a masterpiece of connection. Your "not great" photo often wins because it prioritizes the subject over the science.

Relatability Over Resolution

The images we think are "average" are often the most relatable. A perfectly composed, high contrast study of a shadow is an abstract concept. A slightly blurry, poorly lit photo of a coffee cup on a cluttered desk is a shared human experience.

"Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it." — Bertolt Brecht

When you post an image that feels less "produced," you are lowering the barrier to entry. You are inviting people into your actual life rather than showing them a curated gallery. People respond to authenticity because it makes them feel less alone in their own "imperfect" lives. Your "bad" photo isn't actually bad; it is just accessible.

The Performance Problem

There is a specific kind of energy that comes with a "great" photo. It feels like a performance. It says "look at what I can do." While there is a place for that, it can also create a distance between the creator and the audience.

When you post something you don't care about as much, you are relaxed. You aren't trying to prove anything. That lack of pressure often translates into a more organic and honest image. The audience can sense when you are trying too hard to be an Artist and they often prefer it when you are just being a Human.

The next time a "mediocre" photo of yours gets a lot of love, don't be insulted. Be encouraged. It means that your eye for connection is just as strong as your eye for composition. It means you are human.

Have you ever had a photo you almost deleted become your most popular post? Tell us about it.