Quality over Quantity, my rule of life. By Steve Huff

December 23, 2013 essay, News, Rants 112

Quality over Quantity, my rule of life. By Steve Huff

Hello to all and once again I thank you for stopping by and reading my website/blog! For the past 5 years I have worked on this day in and day out and sometimes, night in and night out! I used to think that after 3-4 years of doing this I would tire of it and start to feel like it is a job or work. But after 5 years I am still as passionate and invigorated about it as ever. Every year I get to meet so many cool people, see so many amazing photographs, connect with so many of you who share this same exact passion with me. It is quite special.

Photo below by Ashwin Rao during the Seattle workshop

steve

BTW, we only have a couple of seats left for the Valley of Fire workshop in Feb 😉 It is going to be a great experience for all!

Over the years I have seen many other websites come and go and a couple that started after me go on to be amazing resources of information. I have been asked by a few in the industry recently why I do not have a “Staff” or post every bit of news and pollute my main page 10 times a day with 1 paragraph blurbs or news stories. I have even been told that my traffic would increase if I did this and that I would get some amazing bursts of traffic that would increase my rankings which in turn, would look good for advertisers.

Hmmmm. I never thought of it like that but it has never been my goal in life or with this site to take shortcuts, to copy others or to try to appeal to the masses. I am the type of guy who is happy in life with what he has. I feel blessed as it is just to be able to do what I love every single day as well as to have amazing loved ones around me. I can seriously say, I have zero complaints in life, and my stress level is always as low as it can possibly go. Why is that? Well, it is because I planned it to be like that. My life is stress free because I do what makes me happy. Hiring a staff would stress me out. Having to post 10-12 times a day about things I have no interest in would also bore me and make me feel like I am at a job that I hate. Would I gain more traffic? Sure. But do I want that kind of traffic? No. I believe in QUALITY over QUANTITY and while sometimes a post slips through here and there that is silly it is also usually warranted or gives some of you what you are looking for.

Yep, I would rather post ONE inspirational post in a day than post 10 news blurbs in a day. Of course if it is big news it would be posted, and does get posted. If it is something that I know would interest the readers of this website than yes, I will post it. If Leica decided to make a real mini M, of course I would post the news 🙂

See, I believe we should also take that approach in life. Quality. If we live our life to enjoy it instead of living our life to hate it, then we would all be much better off. While some are caught up in the whole competitive aspect of life, I am content when I have something special that I feel lucky to have. I never really push for more, more more. I also believe that we get in what we give out, therefore I am a generous guy. I do not have a selfish bone in my body. I would rather give to good people than to take from anyone. Karma, it is real 🙂

So I have decided that this website/blog will never have a staff, will never employ 7, 8, 9 or 10 people. It will always be ME (and now my Son)..and YOU. The readers. It will always be REAL and not written for some alterior motive. I may not have the most news updates but there is one thing that I do try to have and that is a site with some personality.

I am happy with slowly building my website and if it takes 5 more years to go from 150k views a day to 300k a day then so be it 🙂 I am in no rush.

So always know that when you come here for your Photo fix you will always get inspiration, motivation, and articles that have to do with Photography, something we all love. All of this does not come from me, it also comes from YOU, those who share this passion and work with the world through this site.

So once again, I thank all of you who visit this site daily, weekly or even monthly or yearly. Without you, this would be nothing but a dream. With you, it is reality and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙂

Also, happy holidays, a merry christmas and I hope to see you all here in 2014! 

Steve

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112 Comments

  1. charles handy said it …. how come we know when we’ve had enough to eat, we’ve had enough to drink, we’ve had enough sleep …. but we don’t know when we’ve earned enough money !!!!

    great site steve … don’t sell out …

  2. Hi Steve, just to let you know that I read your posts every day and always look forward to doing so. Keep up the good work and may I wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year for 2014.
    Regards
    Ian

  5. Thank you for summing it up, Steve. Precisely, I agree and enjoy so much your honest flow of mind. That’s why I also like going here so often… Actually, you can always feel the real motivation behind the phrases in an article. So unlike Rockwell’s, this is THE photosite. 🙂

    Many greetings from Martin, Olomouc, The Czech Republic

  7. Great site, Steve. Less is more – spot on. Been enjoying it every day. Here is wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2014!!

  8. that’s one heck of a sliding ground shot …. if the skid marks are anything to go by 🙂

  10. Steve, I come to your site because because of what it is, of what you’ve made it out to be, and it is perfect. Your site is actually, IMHO, the most enjoyable photography site out there. Keep up the good work!

  11. Steve,

    Thanks for being an inspiration to us all.

    Your words above are why we connect with you…
    your passion, energy, and motivation are simply wonderful.

    Because of who you are, your approach etc, how you see things…this transforms
    those who visit. Which in turn, through the “daily inspiration” keeps the cycle and
    passion going. Your audience is wonderful as well.

    As we all know, your blog is much bigger than photography.
    So thank you. Double and triple thanks.

    Blessings and continued inspiration in 2014.

    Rick

  12. Hi. Steve. merry christmas to you and your family.
    Your side is a real inspiration , keep your “Quality”
    All the best from Germany
    Cemal

  13. Merry Christmas Steve. Being quite somewhat older than you, and thinking over my life from time to time, I can really say you’re doing good, you’re making the right choices, you’re taking care of what really matters in life! (It took me a few years longer to get to the point of realising this.) From the bottom of my heart, I hope that you can continue living your life like you do know, it will make you happy and give us some nice moments as well! I wish you all the best in 2014.

  14. Great thoughts, and in my case absolutely right!!! I visit your Website almost daily BECAUSE it is NOT full of crapnews like almost all the others… and you write only about stuff you like and use. People can feel that by reading…. 🙂
    I wish you and your family all the best and a happy new year,
    Alex T

  17. I’ve enjoyed the honest and well informed reviews this year and look forward to them next year… Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you Steve, Brandon and your lovely fiancé.

  18. Hi Steeve and Brandon,

    Such a spirit is so rare nowadays ! I have been following you since 2011…Fujix100, than XPro1, and now only X100S (I know guys, nobody’s perfect :-)).
    I like your passion, daily inspiration, and true debates ! Keep on going !

    Merry Xmas from New Caledonia

  19. Love the site as it is, so keep up the good work in 2014.
    Very best wishes to you and your family for Christmas and the New Year

    Andrew

  20. Thanks Steve an enjoyable daily read for me 🙂 Merry Christmas and all the best health in the
    New year for you and your family cheers

  21. Thanks Steve,

    For all your do. Your website has been an inspiration to me and many other.
    Have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy 2014.
    Cheers
    Floyd

  22. Hi. Steve.
    A merry christmas to you and your family.
    You have the perfect site, and enjoy reading it wery much.
    Greetings from Manchester.
    Cheers Boba

  23. You’re real, open and … just a friend to many of us, your readers. Glad to have you!
    I wish you and your family a nice new year and happy holidays!

  24. Hi Steve,
    Thanks very much for what you offered us during another year through this great site.
    Wish you and family a Merry Xmas and all the best for 2014
    António

  25. Hi Steve,
    Well done! Best wishes for a merry Christmas and a healthy & happy new year!
    From one Phoenician to another,
    Lance

  26. Merry Christmas, Steve. I will still be here next year reading about your popping photos and insane resolutions 🙂

  27. Steve, love the site keep up the good work and stay true. Happy Holidays and seasonal greetings to you and your family. All the best from Berlin……..

  29. hi Steve,

    Merry Christmas and happy new year!!
    Your site is my favorite site, and thanks a lot for your hard work to bring so much happiness to your viewers.
    All I can do is to use your amazon link for all my amazon purchase:)

    best
    Q

  32. full admiration for steve huff.
    this guy is amazing…..no need to say more…..
    respect…

  34. I don’t normally comment on any website but……….. This is one that I return to all the time because of its quality , so I have to say you have right Steve and I wish great success as the site develops and continues.

    Many thanks Bo

  36. Thanks Steve for such a wonderful site and all of your hard work. Seasons greetings to you and your family and may the New Year be better for all.
    Merry Christmas.
    Zakk

  37. Hi Steve, thank you very much for your wonderful posts and all posts of your readers all year long! I even grabbed my already forgotten Leica M6, sold my canon equipment, got myself a M9, etc….
    Your website is a great inspiration for everybody who is passionate about photography. You are doing a wonderful job! There is no need anymore to go into a camera store and getting informations from people that have no clue. All the real tests and information are on your website! Keep up with it!
    Happy Christmas to you and your family!
    Cheers, Oliver

  39. The quality can be see in your love and passion.
    Have a nice time with family and frends .
    Frits Pentenga.

  40. Hi Steve and now Brandon too. Seasons greetings from wet and windy Clevedon, Somerset, England. I visit your site for inspiration every day and thanks to you I’ve ditched my zoom lense collection to use only primes and the excellent Fuji X100. This is all down to you and the wonderful platform you give for the many fantastic photographers around the world. This site is truly a global venture and in my humble opinion represents the pinnacle of our art form. Have a great festive season one and all and Steve, just put your feet up for a couple of days and chillax! Cheers,
    Si Purslow

  42. Hi Steve,

    First comment from me, been reading here 3-4 years now. I think you do a fantastic job and the passion I see I love it. Keep up the god work and keep doing it the way you do. Merry christmas to you and your family!!
    Br Johan

  43. Wow
    No doubt you built a lovely site here, and i am truely happy you decided to keep it like that.
    I would love to see more of Leica glas and cameras though……. 🙂
    The other day my friend told me he wants to buy the Leica M9 again eventhough it it not top camera anymore, we have agreed it still has its magic and its unique colors and boy it is such a thrill to use a rangefinder, a thrill no other camera can give you
    So PLEASE keep the Leica brach alive 🙂 . I know you have to be updated ….still
    Merry X – mass and a happy NY
    Danny

  44. That’s a great philosophy to live and work by and it’s more than likely why I visit your website daily.

  46. Steve, I have always been very inspired by people who take their time to do anything. It is the essence of true passion, the heart felt meaning of doing something that brings joy. You do this everyday because it is you, not the agenda of others. That’s why I visit your site for the content and not just the blurbs you speak of. Keep doing what your doing. Not only does it make for a great website but a great example for your son. The neat thing is, your are parenting your son through how you approach your web site. Quality over quantity. Thank you Steve.

  48. Steve, your blog is great the way it is. I’m glad it’ll
    be staying simple & real.

    Merry Christmas,
    Mark

  49. Thanks Steve for your time and effort which has made this website what it is. I have become interested in photography again due to people like yourself, who have so much enthusiasm, its contagious. I’ve just recently done one of Thorsten Overgaads workshops. From a newbie to a converted follower and doer, thanks to people like yourselves. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. All the best for 2014..

  50. Steve, you are so right – passion is what drives this world … and this web site is informative, inspirational, educational and an enormous amount of fun. I visit here regularly for my daily fix.

    My special thanks to you Debby for all your wonderful contributions to this web site – both “on camera” and off camera. We all know, Debby, that without you Steve wouldn’t be half the man he is!

    Wishing you both and all your family a Merry Christmas and happiness for 2014.

    Greetings from Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

  51. Steve, I hope you remember me, not to many Clydes out there. You helped me along, we both went through a difficult time to end up with childhood friends! It is a special gift. We now have loving support to enjoy our passion. It’s a great story times two! Love all you do to keep me behind a camera! Merry Christians!

  53. I hope you and your family and friends have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year!
    Thanks for the inspiration Steve and for publishing my stuff!
    You’re a star!

  54. G’day Steve,
    Your website is the only photography site that I look at daily and I think that the quality of your site would suffer if you just bumped your gums for the sake of it.
    All the best for the holiday period and hope you and yours have a safe and relaxing time.
    Hope to keep finding the same high quality site next year.
    Iain

  55. Congratulations on the success of your site and for finding the balance in life that suits you. Finding that balance is a quest many try and, sadly, many fail.

    I find that I do not have the same tastes as you in terms of cameras and even photography itself – what inspires people varies. But that does not matter.

    You live your life with integrity and tell things as you see them. I won’t always have the same perception, but thats cool.

    The key to living life well is to be authentic to your own beliefs. You succeed in that. A happy Christmas and a New Year to you and all those close to you.

    PS; Greetings from a very wet and very windy UK. We are all in the full face of massive storms across the pond. Its pretty wild – and I love it ! Its bracing stuff and it certainly reminds you that you are alive.

  56. Hi Steve, I discovered your site some months ago when I was searching information about the Nikon 1 V1 which I bought based in your review and others information I found here and since them I become a fan of your work and specially how you do it. Happy Holidays for you and your family!

  59. Steve, let me just say that thank you for doing what you love and proving that if you find that one thing you are passionate about it never feels like a job. Happy Christmas and New Year to you and yours. I look forward to coming this site daily for the next year as well. Thank you for the inspiration and for giving me serious job envy and a healthy life perpective.

    Cheers
    Brian

  60. Very well written and great words to live by. Your site is the one that inspired me to get back to one of my passions. The OM-D is being delivered tomorrow. Very excited.
    Have a joyous holiday and peaceful New Year.

  61. Keep up the honest to good work. Merry Christmas Steve to you and your folks. Love JT, South Wales.

  62. Steve, I like your site for what it is, real views with a touch of humour, and trustworthy too.
    Your comments and analysis are largely to blame for my purchasing an M9 a year ago.

    It’s good to read that you’re not going to expand the site too greatly, and we look forward to more of the thoughtful blogs.

    From England, Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    A

  63. Merry Christmas Steve. Been a fan of your site since you reviewed the M8 and the Cron 35mm ASPH years ago. Your site has been a fav on my internet list for a long time. Great idea to involve your son I think as well. Once again, happy holidays and keep up the excellent work 🙂

  65. Merry Christmas, Steve, and a prosperous new year!

    And thank you for recommending Ken Hansen…he’s the best!

  66. Well said Steve and have a wonderful Merry Christmas.
    I think you do it very well and I agree ‘less is more’ .
    I also admire your positive approach to life.
    Thanks for all your efforts.

  67. Thanks Steve for everything you contribute to our community, for real inspiration (and GAS) and for helping to get me on the Leica path a few years ago; I have never looked back. If you want to see some of what you inspired me to make, visit me please at shapedbylight.com where you are of course credited!

  69. Thank you Steve, for another entertaining and informative year! I could name the names of all the photo blogs I used to follow … but after three plus years, SteveHuffPhoto is the only site I check in on everyday. And that has everything to do with your manta of less-is-more and quality over quantity.

    Happy Holidays and all the VERY best to you and your family 2014.

  70. Great, great, great … as usual.
    Merry xmass and happy new year to you and your nice family. 2014 should be full of new passionating stories.
    JF & Tania

  71. I’ll let you in on a little secret: many of your regular readers ,me included, wish they could do what you are doing. Thank you.

  72. Steve it was your inspiration that convinced me to change to the smaller Fuji Xe and more latterly Sony A7 from my Nikon D4 / holy trinity set up. Loved the Nikon gear but now enjoy taking the camera out more. Best wishes from across the pond.

  75. Best wishes for Christmas. I’ve always enjoyed your site and really appreciate the honest, enthusiastic point of view that you bring to photography. Thanks and looking forward to whatever you post in the New Year.

  76. “of course I would post the news :)”

    That smilie face Steve, are you hinting at something????? I certainly hope so!

    Great post as usual.

    Merry Xmas!

  77. Hey Steve, happy holiday to you and your family! Thanks for all the hard work. If I had money to buy gear, I’d definitely use some of your reviews to make the decision. Maybe some day! 🙂

  78. Great approach Steve – and I think it fits well with who’s visiting this site and who’s your audience is. One of the main highlights of 2013 for me was getting into the Leica world and adding your site to my daily reading list. Merry Christmas and here’s to successful 2014!

  80. Steve, I completely agree. It took me a long time to discover this fundamental truth for myself. Jumping off the wheel, enjoying family, friends, and the beauty of what we have is really how life can be lived to its fullest. Yes, we can be busier, but is the quality of our life better for being busier? It took me many decades to discover the truth you describe above. Good for you! and Merry Christmas.

  84. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you and your family Steve. I always enjoy reading your articles and opinions, as well as your guess articles. You certainly have the right attitude in life. Cheers

    Marc

  85. Steve
    I appreciate your approach to reviews, real world observations relative to camera function and ultimately the desired images.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    Looking forward to what 2014 will bring us.

  86. There are plenty of blurb sites on the web. I’m glad we also have a few quality ones.

  87. Thank you for keeping it real Steve. . . . . . Blessings to you and your family, this holiday season. . . . .

  88. Thanks Steve. You’re site is just the way I like it. Why change what works. See you at the Valley of Fire workshop!

  89. Well said ! Steve … I have been avid reader of your site … And some times I may have to wait a while for your reports , but that I do with the knowledge that it will be worth waiting for….

    And it is thank to you that I am now seriously considering adding or even changing from my bulky DSLR to either Sony A7r and the Olympus OMD -E 1 ….
    Please keep up your amazing work… Have a wonderful Christmas and New year .

  90. What a great article. I’m only a student right now, but this is how I want to live my life. Thanks Steve! And I do love the content of all the articles you post, so keep up the great work.

  91. Steve it is your way and approach that keep us coming back here. Thank you for this great website.

    Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year to you and your family.

  92. Great site Steve, and you are absolutely right about stress, quality over quantity and the value of giving. Keep up the good work.

  93. I was very happy to read this article and agree completely.
    “Constraints will make you awesome” not to mention creative and more contented. It’s the philosophy I live by.

  95. Hi. Steve.
    A merry christmas to you and your family.
    You have the perfect site, and enjoy reading it wery much.
    Greetings from Copenhagen, Denmark
    Cheers Danny

  97. That’s why I come here every day! Keep it up 🙂

    Merry Christmas to you and your family! All the best for 2014!!!

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