michaelstokes:

Heads up to my 60,000 followers – Tumblr has flagged about 70% of the images on my account as being in violation of their new community standards. Just about all my wounded vet photos are slotted to be removed, along with dozens of guys that are simply shirtless (if you can believe that). I have also noticed people leaving Tumblr, and it looks like my days here are numbered as well.  The only platform that does not censor my work is Twitter – follow me there stokes_photo.  Good luck to you all! 

michaelstokes:

Dear Followers, 

In response to D’Onofrio’s announcement about his new censorship rules, I have just finished deleting 900 photos – basically my entire account. His bots flagged about 70% of my images. My account here will be very quiet for perhaps a long time, and I will only post as a follow-up to this censorship debacle. 

As a photographer, I am tired of social media sites dictating to me what kind of art is appropriate to produce and share. Why should I continue to give Tumblr free digital material? Why should we be so invested in a site that can simply delete material on a whim? Since I make a living selling books, I really should be advocating analog over digital anyway. 

Without posting photos, I will keep my account open but with the idea that someday Tumblr will remedy their mistake. 

Sincerely, Michael StokesÂ