There was a time when browsing photography online felt simple and purposeful. I could go on Flickr or early Instagram, scroll through photos from people I chose to follow—friends, even—and find inspiration and connection in the work of like-minded creators. It was a place for creativity and discovery.

Somewhere along the line, though, things changed. These days, it feels more like wading through a swamp than finding inspiration. Instead of seeing the latest work from friends, my feed is crowded with whatever advertisers or algorithms decide I should see. For me, that often means endless cat videos and lots of content I never asked for. It’s easy to get lost in it all, spending hours doomscrolling without really engaging.

Lately, I’ve been using Glass, an app designed to bring back simplicity and focus. It’s a space where I can concentrate on photography that matters. No ads getting in the way. No algorithms deciding what I see (or don’t see). Just people quietly sharing their work and engaging with others. It feels like a return to something more intentional and inspiring—a place where creativity isn’t buried beneath recommendations or monetised content.

If you’ve been feeling the same way, longing for a simpler, more authentic way to share and enjoy photography, Glass might be worth exploring.

What have I been particularly enjoying about Glass? Quite a lot, actually. As well as the clean lines of the app and website, a standout feature is the regular newsletters from the team. They share curated content and links, along with updates about how they’re developing the app. Their transparency and dedication to building a thoughtful, photography-focused space is refreshing.

They also spotlight other creators, which is a lovely way to discover new work. Every month, they highlight favourite images from themed collections—a feature they’re continuously expanding. Full disclosure: I’ve been featured as both a spotlighted contributor and as part of their monthly themes. It’s a generous approach that supports the community and encourages creativity.

Uploading your own photography is straightforward, whether you’re using your phone or the website. Adding photos to categories is even simpler, making sorting and sharing projects feel intuitive rather than cumbersome. And I LOVE that you can’t see how many followers you or others have. It makes it all feel much more about the photography.

One of the features I’ve enjoyed most is Series. It lets you organise your photography into neatly accessible folders—perfect for keeping projects together or grouping related images. Browsing other people’s Series has been equally inspiring. Looking to buy a new camera or lens? Glass has you covered with tabs for cameras and lenses so if you’re researching film cameras (me, always) or just looking for inspiration, Glass makes this easy too.

It truly feels like a platform built with photographers in mind. So, why not give it a go? And while you’re at it, you might just make a few new photography friends along the way. I hope to see you over there!

(I have not been sponsored by the team behind Glass and continue to pay for membership as I have since 2021).

Kirstin