Welcome to the first of what will hopefully be a series of permanent websites. By permanent website, I mean a website that is stored on a blockchain. The chosen blockchain is Arweave, which its developers describe as a permanent and decentralized web inside an open ledger. Other blockchains may be utilized in the future. The plan is to release a series of digital yearbooks, starting with 2018, to showcase my best work and provide some commentary on major events/advances in photography.
So why do this? In a word, monumentality. Unlike previous generations of photographers, who depended on physical prints and art books for distribution, most present-day photographers are storing and showcasing their work digitally – specifically on social media. While social media services are generally free or nominal cost, users are subject to the editorial policies and business whims of the companies that own the service. Sudden policy changes can be detrimental to users. For example, during 2022, Instagram shifted its algorithm to heavily favor Reels, which is their version of TikTok videos. Instagram’s parent company, Meta, is concerned about market share being lost to TikTok, and sought to make Instagram more of a TikTok clone. Almost overnight, engagement for photographer profiles we cut in half. This had negative business consequences for photographers who live off of paid jobs since Instagram can serve as both a living portfolio and a booking service. Users protested heavily against this move, led by no less than the Kardashians. As of January 2023, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri ceded that the platform will place more emphasis on photos, but this business plan could change again at any time.
As another example, Vero True Social bills itself as being ad-free and algorithm-free. Assuming there is no clandestine data harvesting, it is unclear how this service is covering its costs. There have long been rumors of a subscription service forthcoming. Vero denied this in 2018, and as of writing (April 2023), no subscription model has been implemented. However, if one is implemented, the impact on the user base is unknown.
Perhaps the biggest risk is that any one of these social media services could suddenly cease operations, killing astronomical man-years of photographic work and network contacts. Many photographers address this risk and the lack of editorial control by creating a standalone web presence. This is a good option for as long as you are alive, but what happens when you are gone? There is no one to pay the bills, and the web host will likely delete your account. Unless you’ve gained a large social following, there may be little evidence of your life’s work even months after your demise.
The permanent web provides a solution to this dilemma. When you upload to Arweave, you are essentially purchasing a 200-year storage contract. This will enable you to share a URL that will last several generations, providing an opportunity for people in the future to enjoy your contribution to the art world.
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