Oh Instagram, I do love you!  But let's be honest, it has taken some time for our relationship to develop and work out the kinks.    I didn’t quite understand why I needed an IG account in the first place.  I couldn’t decipher what I should post to Facebook, or to Instagram, or to Twitter, or to Google+, or to, well, you get the point.  It seemed so repetitive and I just get bored with repetition.   

I needed to narrow my Instagram feed to follow those who care most about what I care most about: Photography and Art.  I went ahead and deleted every photo that I also posted to Facebook, or other social media platforms, and began only sharing photos I felt were ‘worthy’ of being shared with an art focused community.  Whether that community deemed them worthy enough is a different story, but that is for them to decide.  I will admit that I also began to loathe feeds that were just a repost to or from Facebook, or Twitter, or G+, or so on.  Why do I need to see the same post by the same person in four different locations?  I began to unfollow all of those IG contributors and since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent on Instagram.  That is not meant to disrespect you re-posters out there, but I'll just catch up with you on Facebook.  I now feel like I am part of an amazing community that has only been providing each other with love and positive support.  I have also met some wonderful, and talented, artists who have rejuvenated my thirst for the perfect photo.

Through Instagram, I was also introduced to Urban Exploration, or urbex for short.  Basically, this is the exploration of abandoned structures.  We have some great history and old buildings here in Wheeling, as well as in Pittsburgh and other nearby areas.  I have always wanted to tour them but now I have a renewed interest.  The artwork obtained from photographing these buildings and rooms has staying power.  I never get sick of looking through them!  Setting up a shot and trying to get that perfect perspective allows me to reminisce about a place in which I have never been.  How is that even possible?  I feel connected to the building, the room, and even the people who once inhabited this space on a regular basis.  I will admit that there is also a childish fun that comes along with climbing through windows, crawling in small spaces, and getting dirty!  The process is a fountain of youth, both for me and the structure. 

I am happy I stuck it out and believe to be a better photographer for it.  If you care to browse through my feed, you can find me at www.instagram.com/__croft__ (those are 2 underscores before and after my last name).  Please follow, like, and comment if you feel so inclined.  Also, take a gander at a few other photographers that I respect and have become friends with along the way.  Their user names are foose03, jermycracker1, and o0xerog0o.

Enjoy!