Hi Avril,
Yes I did start in the Macro world and I can tell you in the beginning it was a cold lonely world. The only person you had was an editor to tell you yes and no or what they needed, which was great but you didn't have a community of fellow shooters to share info with. People were and some still are very closed with the business information they choose to share. It is the same in Micro as well as any competitive industry, it is a personal choice.
Several years ago through a listserv, ( not much different than this place just a lot less participants ) a group of Macro stock photographers started talking about building their own stock collection. I was fortunate to be included from the start up and together we built the first co-op owned stock photography agency. That was my first experience with working within a community ( since photo school in college ) and for me it was and still is very inspirational.
I see Micro as another fresh example of the power of community and the feeling of support ( most the time
) that you get from people you may never even meet some day. I find that amazing and I am just glad to be part of another solid think tank of passionate photographers.
I have always followed that if you share with others what you already know the sharing will allow the development of your mind to truly be pushed to create and embrace what is special about your vision and not relying on what you already know. Deep HUH!
These Micro Blogs are filled with the kind of energy I remember sitting around with college buddies smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee till late in the evening embraced in one mutual love. I really enjoy those that give, and I am working on dealing with the few that just criticize and take.
As far as the Micro communities that are not independently run. let's just say I don't frequent them quite as much.
Best,
AVAVA
