Categories: PersonalTags:

Today Google+ shuts its doors to the world.

When Google+ started it was a flurry of activity, and photographers flocked to it in droves. In the era before Instagram’s popularity, Google+ became an inviting place to share photos, blog posts, videos, and stories about our work. I made connections and friends through video chats called Hangouts, many people whom I’m still friends with to this day. At the time Google+ was hands down the best social platform out there for photographers, or anyone for that matter. There was something calming about grabbing a glass of wine, starting a hangout, and seeing friends pop in. We would sit, edit photos, chat, laugh, and plan other outings. It was people on social media actually being social. I miss those days.

But—as with some relationships—endings like this are not instantaneous. They start as a tall flame that slowly burns low, and without constant work and commitment, they fizzle away. And—also with some relationships—it’s not always easy to pin-point exactly what went wrong. Everyone has their own reasons for moving away from the platform, and I’m sure the analysts at Google can crunch the numbers and give technical reasons, but whatever it was, it died. We all knew this was coming, it’s just sad to see it finally end.

I find the timing of this closure ironic on a deeply personal level. Google+ is where I met and married (and a friend met through Google+ even officiated the ceremony). Yet only four days ago I said a different kind of goodbye, and tomorrow I will watch as a moving truck departs, officially carrying that part of my life to another home.

Life will be different, but still the same in many ways. It’s similar to that feeling when you finish the last page of a whirlwind book that kept you on the edge of your seat for so long: you’re sad to see it end, yet excited to search for the next book and begin a new adventure. I’m fortunate in that I can easily bounce back, adapt, and I even tend to thrive on my own. I embrace change, even—and almost more so—when I have no choice.


See what’s happening in my world and follow my next chapter:

Today Google+ shuts its doors to the world.

When Google+ started it was a flurry of activity, and photographers flocked to it in droves. In the era before Instagram’s popularity, Google+ became an inviting place to share photos, blog posts, videos, and stories about our work. I made connections and friends through video chats called Hangouts, many people whom I’m still friends with to this day. At the time Google+ was hands down the best social platform out there for photographers, or anyone for that matter. There was something calming about grabbing a glass of wine, starting a hangout, and seeing friends pop in. We would sit, edit photos, chat, laugh, and plan other outings. It was people on social media actually being social. I miss those days.

But—as with some relationships—endings like this are not instantaneous. They start as a tall flame that slowly burns low, and without constant work and commitment, they fizzle away. And—also with some relationships—it’s not always easy to pin-point exactly what went wrong. Everyone has their own reasons for moving away from the platform, and I’m sure the analysts at Google can crunch the numbers and give technical reasons, but whatever it was, it died. We all knew this was coming, it’s just sad to see it finally end.

I find the timing of this closure ironic on a deeply personal level. Google+ is where I met and married (and a friend met through Google+ even officiated the ceremony). Yet only four days ago I said a different kind of goodbye, and tomorrow I will watch as a moving truck departs, officially carrying that part of my life to another home.

Life will be different, but still the same in many ways. It’s similar to that feeling when you finish the last page of a whirlwind book that kept you on the edge of your seat for so long: you’re sad to see it end, yet excited to search for the next book and begin a new adventure. I’m fortunate in that I can easily bounce back, adapt, and I even tend to thrive on my own. I embrace change, even—and almost more so—when I have no choice.


See what’s happening in my world and follow my next chapter:

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Nicole is a photographer, published author, and educator specializing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and photography. She is best known for her books on food photography but is widely versed in various photographic genres, including landscape, nature, stock, travel, and experimental imagery.

26 Comments

  1. Randy P April 2, 2019 at 4:12 pm - Reply

    I’m fearing the worst from you post, but wishing you all the best. From one vet to another …as Kermit says… you have a friend in me.

  2. Randy Pollock April 2, 2019 at 4:15 pm - Reply

    …and yes it’s Buzz … not Kermit :-)

  3. Mary Wardell April 12, 2019 at 9:41 am - Reply

    Wishing all the best wherever life takes you. I can’t speak to your more personal changes, but I do know how the closure of G+ has changed my life as many of us have scrambled to find ways to keep in touch with the friends we made in the photography communities there.

    • Nicole S. Young April 12, 2019 at 8:37 pm - Reply

      I do agree with that. It’s like school … when it’s over, everyone scatters and it takes a lot of effort to stay in touch. It had such a big impact on my life, and many others, and I’m grateful it was around, even if for a short while.

  4. Bernard SABRI April 12, 2019 at 9:53 am - Reply

    Very touched by your “Good bye” which symbolizes a break or the “End” of something.
    It’s always a very difficult time to overcome but you have to know how to turn the page.
    Just bounce back, adapt and make your future possibly better than your past.
    All the best.
    Bernard

    • Nicole S. Young April 12, 2019 at 8:39 pm - Reply

      Thanks, Bernard. I do intend to bounce back even higher this time. :)

  5. Chris Taylor April 12, 2019 at 11:04 am - Reply

    All the best Nicole. I have bought a couple of your books and watched a lot of your videos. I find your methods of teaching makes sense to me in ways many others don’t. Not sure if it is just me! (probably mostly me) :-)

    In particular, I found your video last month on using curves FINALLY made it clear to me how they work. So a special thank you for that.

    Chris

    • Nicole S. Young April 12, 2019 at 8:41 pm - Reply

      Thanks for your comments, Chris! I’m so happy that my video was helpful. :)

  6. Sherry L. April 12, 2019 at 11:41 am - Reply

    Gosh, Nicole, this sounds serious. I do wish you much happiness for your future. A new door to open can be a bit scary but its just a door with something to discover on the other side. Hope you find something fun there. And BTW, if it wasn’t for your “Mask” course, I would never have found my “creative” door. I love your teaching methods and all of your great overlays and textures which have helped me to win a few ribbons

  7. Dianne Kirk April 12, 2019 at 2:09 pm - Reply

    All good wishes to you. Your ability to create lessons which provided understandable training has been a gift to to me. My thoughts will be with you in this life transition.

  8. Frank April 12, 2019 at 2:39 pm - Reply

    ATB-ATT….
    ….All The Best – All The Time!

  9. Betty Girardeau April 12, 2019 at 5:34 pm - Reply

    I agree. This sounds sadly serious. Others have already said it. Endings almost always mean there can be something new to fill at least part of the space. I love your posts. Your teaching is fantastic. And you were the first to help remove the word fear from my learning how to layer and mask. You have been and continue to be someone who inspires, teaches and encourages me.

    • Nicole S. Young April 12, 2019 at 8:47 pm - Reply

      Thank you for your kind words, Betty. Hearing how much my posts and teaching has helped you is why I love what I do :)

  10. Ron Murton April 12, 2019 at 11:13 pm - Reply

    Wishing you all the best Nicole. I have enjoyed reading your posts, your videos and your way of teaching has been inspirational.

  11. Peter Jackson April 13, 2019 at 1:10 am - Reply

    Nicole, I have bought a number of your products and on each occasion I’ve been very impressed by both the product itself and the backup support and information that comes with it. I always feel that your offerings are personal, genuine and of real quality. The you from which that quality derives will keep you going. Good luck.

  12. Christopher Guy April 14, 2019 at 12:22 pm - Reply

    I’m adding my positive thoughts to this! I’m so sorry to hear life has taken an alternative path – we sure don’t plan for it. As others have said, your images and coaching — Luminar for OS for me— has been inspiring. Your masking is often referred to by Jim Nix and others as the gold standard. Here’s a quote I’ve (slightly) rephrased I hope you like from the late, great writer Ray Bradbury: You’ve got to jump off a cliff from time-to-time and build your wings on the way. Someone sent it to me as I to was watching that mover’s truck.

  13. Chris Perera April 15, 2019 at 4:46 am - Reply

    Nicole, my thoughts went back to Doris Day’s: Que Sera, Sera…..Whatever will be…..will be…….The Future’s not ours to see…….. Que Sera, Sera…….What will be…… will be. Well, I was born in 1958, and those days, we used the Radio. I am still a novice in Photography and Edits but I love your work. I love your openness and genuineness. I truly appreciate your work. I live in Sri Lanka. I wish you much happiness, joy, and love. May God Bless You.

  14. Sheila April 15, 2019 at 9:41 am - Reply

    Hi Nicole, I’m very sad to read this message. I have been away from my computer for a week or so…and am not catching up on my e-mails. I have enjoyed watching you and maybe even me grow…your creative juices and excellent teaching skills made it easier for me to learn. I will miss you but will continue following you on YouTube. All the best…until we chat again. Hugs S.

    • Nicole S. Young April 15, 2019 at 1:35 pm - Reply

      Thanks, Sheila … I’m definitely not going to stop what I’m doing here! I’ll continue to teach and create as long as I am able. :)

  15. Leslie Lim April 17, 2019 at 5:25 pm - Reply

    Hi Nicole, sounds so sad. Please keep chugging on. I hope you are going to keep blogging. Will miss you if you don’t. I have got so much inspiration and knowledge about On1 from you. I first “met” you from your tute on ON1 Perfect Inspiration – Gordon Creek. Best of luck on the next stage of your life journey. Regards.

    • Nicole S. Young April 18, 2019 at 11:32 am - Reply

      Hi Leslie, yes I’m going to keep blogging, sharing my work, and creating training. Nothing will change as far as all that is concerned. Life goes on :) Thank you so much for your support through all these years!

  16. Caroline Maryan April 19, 2019 at 8:25 am - Reply

    Hi Nicole, I’m so sorry to read your news and wish only the best for you! You have such a gift for teaching and explaining complex processing steps in easy-to-understand English! I’m so glad you will continue!

    • Nicole S. Young April 19, 2019 at 11:41 am - Reply

      Thank you, Caroline! I will continue teaching; had I not shared this blog post, nothing would have appeared to be different from the outside. My work will continue as strong as ever, and possibly even stronger.

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