photo by me

I’ve talked about the trend that I see in the photoblogging community to focus on men’s blogs predominantly and to ignore the validity of women’s blogs (for the most part).

Recently, Photoblogs.org started a series that they call the “Hall of Fame”. According to the Hall of Fame page,

“Photoblogs.org regularly adds outstanding photoblogs to its Hall of Fame. The intent of the Hall of Fame is to recognize those who have made a significant impact on the Photoblogs.org community. This list acts as a reference for anyone who wants to see fine examples of what can be accomplished through photoblogging. The selection of Hall of Fame members is determined automatically by a special algorithm that analyzes website influence. No more than one new site is added per day.”

When I looked through the list of twenty-one current “Hall of Famers”, there were two women’s blogs listed. Two out of twenty-one.

To me, this is a failure in the system. It fails to recognize that the inherent differences between how men and women see the world and how we photograph it are appealing in different ways. It also fails to take into consideration that if a blogger is not a part of the “boy’s club” (and most of these people comment on one another’s blogs but rarely go outside of that loop), then they will not be considered a “Hall of Famer.”

But why does it bother me? Am I concerned with being a Hall of Famer? No. I don’t think most people *get* my photography. And, quite frankly, I’m okay with that. I also don’t think that I will fit in with mainstream photobloggers. I’m not a mainstream sort of person – never have been. And I’m okay with that, too.

It bothers me because there are some amazing female photobloggers out there who are being overlooked simply because they are not hits on the popularity scale – and, essentially, that’s what that list is starting to look like.

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The other day I had walked down to the local health food store to pick up some things for lunch. As I walked back to my office, I passed the geology building where a group of young men (all in their early 20s by my estimation) were standing.

One of them made a catcall whistle.

I looked around.

I was the only female within viewable distance.

And they were looking at me.

Then came another.

And I was confused.

I’m nearly twice their age and not what I would consider whistle material. So why were they whistling?

So, that’s what went through my mind first.

Then I wondered if I should be offended. They were treating me like a piece of meat walking down the street.

Or should I be flattered? I mean, I *am* almost twice their age and they were whistling.

Was the whistling meant in jest, to be mean? Was it sincere? Is that kind of whistling ever sincere?

And why am I giving it this much thought, even 3 days after the fact?

I think it bothers me. It bothers me that this sort of behavior is still taking place and that women are still being treated with such disdain.

What’s wrong with actually approaching someone and saying, “I just wanted to tell you that I find you attractive.”? Or saying, “I think you look very nice today.”? Why whistle and create this air of separatism? It’s not healthy.