Leaving 2010 Looking Towards 2011

Since we’re just about at the end of the year I thought I would take this time to look back at 2010. This is something I usually hate to do, because it seems as if I’ve never accomplished enough, and time is shooting by. But looking back this year is different. And that’s pretty exciting for me.

This has been a year full of activity and new experiences for me, as I navigated this new photo world landscape. As I’ve said to others, it is no less uncertain and confusing for me as it is for any photographer. What I have tried to do is make my own opportunities and say “Yes” more than “No” this year.

As a result, I was invited to “Atlanta Celebrates Photography” as a portfolio reviewer, visiting the city for the first time. Besides meeting some fantastic people, I got to make a personal pilgrimage to a place that had deep meaning for me. And for all of that I am grateful.

I was also invited to “FOTOfusion” in West Palm Beach, Florida, where I sat on a couple of panels and got to reconnect with some really wonderful and accomplished photo people. And you can’t beat Florida in January! I’ll be going again in 2011—January 11-16. Check it out, it’s worth the trip.

MY APA panel, "Multi Platform Editing-Presenting Your Work to the New Media Landscape" was a great success, and introduced me to Roberto DeLuna, Alison Zavos, Chris Owyoung, Erin Rabasca, as well as Alex Wright and Joe Pritchard.

Through this blog I was able to feature the works of Les Stone, Judith Fox, Michael Itkoff, Peter Turnley, Robert Herman, David Arky, Julie Grahame, Helen Jones-Florio and Jason Florio, Manjari Sharma, Nick Gleis, Bryce Lankard, Jennifer Shaw, Kyle Bravo, David Halliday, Stephen Mallon, Sara Keith, Vicki Hunt, Jimmy Williams, John May, Susan Barnett, Paul Hagedorn, Joseph Guay, Tim Hetherington and Peter Sekaer.

I had a wonderful opportunity to speak at the Apple Store in SF, and met a photographer I worked with for years, but had never met in person before. That was a great added bonus for a fun event.

With my fantastic gang of four (Jason Florio, Andrea Fischman, Helen Jones-Florio and Sari Goodfriend) we blogged PhotoPlus Expo and really enjoyed most of the exhausting experience (except for the naked girls at the PDN party). Along with blogging the NYPhoto Festival in Dumbo, I’m having a good time examining the photo scene here in New York.

I’ve also done several other portfolio reviews and contest judging (thanks En Foco, APA and ASMP), seen some fantastic work and met some wonderful new photographer friends. I’ve gone to openings, been quoted on other blogs, written artistic statements, worked with some exciting clients, and moved into curating in a grander way.

For that I want to thank David Bram of Fraction magazine, who has included me as a curator for Fraction J, the every other month photojournalism section of the magazine. It was great discovering and showing the work of Benjamin Lowy, Matt Slaby, Stacy Krantiz and Colleen Mullins here.

There are more new great things to come in 2011, which I will write about as they come together, including the opportunity of curating for the Griffin Museum of Photography, and holding more workshops and seminars. I’m learning more, meeting more people, and looking for more opportunities and chances to create.

So look for Stellazine to grow as I do, and preview some changes in the New Year. Stay positive, stay warm, and dream new creative dreams. I know I will.

The Reviewers Review the Free ASMP Portfolio Review

Monday night was the free, ASMP commercial portfolio review and there was quite a turnout of both reviewers and photographers. I enjoy doing reviews as it gives me a chance to see new work, and also, hopefully, offer some perspective. I usually see people I know and the entire evening is very enjoyable. That said, it was stranger for me this year than last. I saw fewer photographers (but then I’m not as valuable a commodity as an art buyer or magazine editor), and the noise level really affected me this year. As freelance photo editor Lindsay Blatt said, “It was really loud in that studio space, and I had a hard time hearing.”

I asked reviewers for their opinions in order to gauge their feelings, and thought I’d also bring you some of their suggestions on how to make it even better next year.

Joe Pritchard, a freelance photo rep said he like the structure and the fact that it was free for members. “What I would like to see is a larger space, as it tends to get very loud and difficult at times to hear people and to focus on what they are talking about and showing you.”

Julie Grahame, editor-in-chief, aCurator magazine wondered if “we could include a couple of successful photographers as reviewers next year.”

For Patrick Cunningham of Photolibrary, “It was fun, enjoyable, and social. Thanks for the candy. I really liked helping both the newbie’s and seasoned professionals. Everybody needs a fresh perspective sometime.”

Photography consultant Louisa Curtis said, “I think it was perhaps too close to PPE as there were more portfolio review events at PPE this year. The signs above each chair only said the person's name and not their company – that made it hard to identify people. There were too many reviewers and not enough photographers”

“I know that my colleagues in the corner tables did not get to see as much work as I did,” said Jessica Moon, senior visual content editor, online specialist, Scholastic, Inc.

And Anna G. Dickson, photo editor, Clear Channel Radio - Digital said, “I thought the event went well, although I did not feel there were enough timers for the reviewers. It was hard to hear the timer and after the very first review, I was on my own with time and I'm SURE that I went over 15 minutes several times.”

Monica Suder, creative coach, consultant and curator, “found the noise level very hard and was hoarse by 9PM.”

Wini Alcorn, business affairs manager, Coca-Cola-MCCANN ERICKSON,| thought “it would have been helpful to have someone using a BELL for the whole space to time the meetings, instead of individual timers per table. Those were annoying as they went off throughout the event. I think it would also streamline the event to have people all move at the same time to a new table, instead of waiting in lines.”

When asked about the quality of the work they had seen, and if anything was really special, Anna G. Dickson said, “The overall quality of the work was very good, and most, although not all people seemed open to constructive criticism

Patrick Cunningham: “I was most impressed by Ian Spanier’s portraits and lifestyle, as well as Bruce Katz’ food images.
Whitney Tressel of Hearst “loved Carl Wooley, Chad Hunt, and Peter Riesett's work the best.”

Jessica Moon had this to say about what she had seen: “Ashok Sinha – STUNNING! James Leynse – Curious, intriguing, wonderful! Stephen Mallon – lovely.”

Wini Alcorn: “Of the people I met, most of them were very talented. That is a huge step up from other events like these where usually the overall work is mediocre. Loved Mimi Ko, Erin Patrice O’Brien and Chad Springer.

Joe Pritchard felt that “many of the photographers need the support of creative consultants and branding help. I am finding that the photographers are so worried about making money and trying to jump into this so fast that they are not presenting themselves and their work properly. Also as we know photographers are some of the worst when editing there own work.” I would have to agree with that general assertion.

Mike Hartley of Big Flannel was pretty candid in his assessment, saying, “The quality of the work was on average higher than I expected. I am rarely wowed and was not on this evening. I am falsely of the belief my work sells itself, and so were many of the photographers. We should both being trying harder I think.”

Most of the responding reviewers said socializing with other reviewers was an important aspect of participating. Wini Alcorn thought, “perhaps a cocktail hour/mixer BEFORE the event starts (in a separate room) for people to say hi and chat before getting down to business would b better. “I also think name tags would be helpful for both photogs and reviewers.”

Jessica Moon found this year’s music “very cerebral and the party following the review missed an opportunity for revelry. Everybody was starving by then end,” she added.

And Wini Alcorn suggested having, “a 10 minute break to get up and stretch for the reviewers—a bathroom break.”

I would say that I saw most of the work on iPads that evening, and while it’s a fun toy at this point, I found the reflective screen very distracting. I know there are specific iPad apps for showing your work as a porfolio, and I think if that’s what you want to do, you should invest in the best technology. Always consider the chance for a portfolio review (or even casually showing your work) to be a professional situation, and to that end, be professional in how you present your work.

RepAudrie Lawrenceof Levine and Leavitt though that “50% of what I looked at was on iPad. I like seeing work on an iPad in equal measure to a well printed book. Since there is a serious drive toward photographers also doing double duty as directors I feel like having an iPad is an asset. I also think that photography can look really great on an iPad. That said, I do still really love the overall experience of looking at a well-printed book and would prefer that photographers have a regular printed portfolio along with an iPad to show additional work and video.”

Monica Suder added that, “iPads are good for some things. I came across a wonderful book and exhibition project on the Spirit of Tea in China and the images worked great on the iPad (by photographer Matthew London).

Jessica Moon is “happy to see work by any means necessary. iPad, whatever, it doesn’t matter. Next year I hope to see more iPads....”

Lindsay Blatt said, “I still like books, it shows some commitment to what you are doing. People using digital devices seemed flippant in their image selections.”

And Witney Tressel prefers “portfolio books or loose prints. I work for a print magazine so I want to see prints. I had a couple iPads but I don't prefer it, it's deceiving how good the quality is.”

Mike Hartley: “I looked at two portfolios on iPads. I generally prefer any process that engages me with technology. It feels contemporary and of the future. I do this realizing there may be a compromise involved (lack of size and resolution when looking at a screen relative to a print for example). I felt with the iPad, the compromise is still too large for it to be used as a primary portfolio. It worked for me when it was used in support of a primary portfolio, to show a 'hot off the press' project, or an archived project. However, it's an expensive object to achieve this and I think at best it is a useful (and unnecessary) toy in its current state.

“Don't get me wrong,” he continued. “Tthe possibility of touching and sharing a screen is a wonderful one, but the practical experience is so far lacking and the debate about its use seems to focus more on Apple's divisive marketing practice, and whether we can afford to not look like we embrace everything they sell us, rather than any fitness for purpose.”

“I was asked what I prefer and said print but ended up looking at both,” said Julie Grahame. “For me, the iPad is OK, for example, to show a single body of work that you haven't printed or edited yet. Like a kind of oh, by the way, I'm working on this--Robert Hooman's Eddie Adams project was the perfect example.”

“It has a tendency to make one feel stupid,” she continued. “I don't know how to navigate whatever it is you're showing me your images on, it's awkward, and as Ilene (Bellovin) said to me today, we've been trained to not touch the screen!”


Photos:
top: Joe Mondello
bottom: Frank Rocco

Review 2010 is Here!

Tomorrow night, Wednesday May 26, is "Review 2010" which is free and only available to ASMP members.

This portfolio review event boasts dozens of accomplished photo people including curators, photo editors, art buyers, reps and consultants. It's a fantastic opportunity to get feedback and put your work in front of important people, so don't miss out!

Calumet Photographic is hosting the event at 22 west 22nd St. and doors will open at 6:00pm. The review is from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. Register online or by calling ASMP at 215.451.2767 during business hours.

I'll see you there!

This Week's Events-April 26 - May 2

First off, tonight, MONDAY APRIL 26 we have another fine gathering of the ADHESIVE people at:
BRASS MONKEY
55 Little West 12th Street
From 6:30pm - ???

TUESDAY APRIL 27

En Foco is presenting "Foot in the Door:Tips for Submitting your Work", a two-hour seminar for emerging photographers and photo-based artists looking to prepare themselves for new opportunities, and take their marketing to the next level.
Calumet Photographics
22 W. 22nd St.
6:00pm-8:00pm

Topics include: the importance of submission requirements and image quality; building and presenting a cohesive body of work; artist statements, bios, and resumes; creating eye-catching support and marketing materials; following up effectively; and reviewers do's and don'ts. This session is facilitated by Miriam Romais, Executive Director of En Foco & Editor of Nueva Luz; and Saul Robbins, Board Member Emeritus of The Camera Club of New York (CCNY).

A $10 minimum suggested donation (En Foco and CCNY are non-profit organizations). Your donation acts as your RSVP/Registration. Register here


The Smiley Faces Foundation's inaugural event will take place at Red Bull Space at 40 Thompson St (at Watts St) in SoHo.

Smiley Faces Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery's Cleft Lip & Palate Team located at NYU Langone Medical Center.

They will be showcasing portraits from children’s photo shoots with such world-renowned photographers as Peter Lindbergh, Cliff Watts, James White, Nigel Barker, Gabrielle Revere, Ben Watts, Rob Howard, Timothy White, Kwaku Alston, Liz Von Hoene, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Jake Chessum, Roxanne Lowitt and others.

THURSDAY APRIL 29

Simon Biswas invites you to the opening of "10,157.5 Miles: An American Road Trip" at
Superfine
126 Front Street (in Dumbo)
Brooklyn, NY

SATURDAY MAY 1

This is the final call for ASMP's "Image 10" photo contest for images taken after January 1, 2009. Enter online for the chance to win over $25,000 in prizes.

This year's judges are Nathalie Kirsheh, art director of W Magazine, Katherine Schad, photo director of O-The Oprah Magazine, Michael Boulia, creative director BBDO, Alex Tasch, senior art buyer at Euro RSCG Worldwide, and Brian Paul Clamp, gallerist of CLAMPART.

SUNDAY MAY 2

Join Andrea Narins for the opening of her black & white "Night Stories and Landscapes" at The San Francisco Zen Center, 300 Page Street at Laguna.

Next Week's Important Events

Monday, November 16

ASMP presents "Presenting Your Work to the Fine Art Community"a Mary Virginia Swanson Lecture and Food Drive to be held at Studio 385
In this lecture, marketing consultant/educator Mary Virginia Swanson provides an overview of the fine art market for photographers.

Updated frequently, this lecture is a must for all photographers considering exploring the fine art market and provides current insights on marketing and details of upcoming deadlines and events.

During this presentation, Mary Virginia Swanson will provide insights into the most efficient and effective avenues for introducing your work to industry professionals towards presenting your work in the collectible fine art market.

She will discuss the strategies surrounding submitting work to national and international juried exhibitions and portfolio review events such as FotoFest, Photolucida and European festivals. Art fairs such as AIPAD and Photo LA will be discussed from the standpoint of assessing market trends and helping artists determine which dealers will be most appropriate for their work.

Swanson will also cover the professional practices necessary to effectively present your photographs in the market, as well as sharing examples of effective self-promotion materials in print and on-line formats.

Handouts with related information will be shared with participants.

COST:
ASMP members: FREE but are encouraged to bring a food donation
Non-ASMP members: $20 or $15 with a food donation
Students with I.D.: $5 or free with food donation

The food will be delivered to one of the needy food pantries in NYC. Please bring non-perishable food!

Studio 385
385 Broadway—bet. White & Walker
New York City
6:30 - 9:30pm

Register here

Tuesday, November 17


FPS Fest, presented by Dripbook, Resource Magazine, and ROOT Capture is a film screening event that explores the transition from still photography to motion.
Dripbook is announcing support of HD video across Dripbook’s promotional platform, continuing a leading-edge commitment to advanced promotion for today’s creative professionals.

The work of Andrew Hetherington, Vince Laforet, Philip Bloom, Alexx Henry, Noah Webb, Amber Gray, Bob Scott, Candace Meyer, F Scott Schafer, KT Auleta, Alex Buono and Louie Psihoyos will be shown.

ROOT Capture provides premier digital services for Drive In, TREC, & ROOT Brooklyn by working closely with photographers and DP’s to create customized, versatile still/motion capture packages for both location & studio.
Resource Magazine presents RETV, an online video magazine presenting photo and video industry content to help creative professionals bridge the gap between stills and motion technology.

Root Brooklyn
131 North 14th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Doors open at 6pm
$5 entry fee. Beer and popcorn will be served.
RSVP

Next Week's Events

I was hoping to write a wrap up of PhotoPlus Expo, but found I couldn't sum it up at all. I enjoyed the seminars I went to, noticed fewer exhibitors, and wondered about the people who attended: were they mostly from out of town or New York?
Now that it's over, there are some cool events to attend and look forward to next week.

Monday November 9

Bill Cramer, CEO of Wonderful Machine will be speaking at the Apple Store as part of the ImageMakers Series. He'll be talking about branding and marketing for photographers, and a little about his own photography and Wonderful Machine.
The event is at 103 Prince St. (between Mercer & Greene), from 6:30 - 8:00 pm and is free, though seating is limited.
There's more info here

And be sure to join everyone at the post-lecture social at The Cupping Room, 359 W. Broadway (between Broome & Grand) for a cash bar and some appetizers.

Tuesday, November 10

Aperture Gallery is presenting Michael Wolf: The Transparent City and Barbara Crane: Private Views, an exhibit showing the city of Chicago from different vantage points and periods of history.
There will be a book signing and artists talk with Michael Wolf on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:30pm. Barbara Crane will be doning the same on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6:30pm, and the opening of the exhibit is Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 6:00 - 8:00pm.
Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor
Between 10th and 11th Avenues


ASMP NE Chapter presents:
An Evening with Eugene Richards
Mass Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills
50 Oakland St.
Wellesley Hills, MA
Register here



Wednesday, November 11

ADHESIVE NYC: Sticking Creatives Together is having a soiree at:
Sweet & Vicious
5 Spring St (Between Elizabeth Street and Bowery)
6:30pm - ???

Thursday, November 12


An Evening with Jay Maisel
Yale University is presenting an evening with this world-class photographer, starting at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30)at Linsly-Chittenden Hall Rm 102, 63 High St., New Haven, CT
$15 ASMP members & students, $25 non-members
Register here
They will be giving away door prizes from ThinkTank, Image Rights, and O'Reilly Media. The event is sponsored by Epson.

And rounding out the week:

Friday, November 13

SLIDELUCK POTSHOW XIV at The Aperture Foundation in Chelsea and will be co-curated by Lesley Martin, Aperture's book publisher. The theme of the fourteenth show in New York City is INSIDE OUT. For this show, all guests will need to purchase $10 tickets support of both SLPS and The Aperture Foundation. Due to spatial limitations, this event will be considerably more intimate than recent NYC Slidelucks. If you are serious about securing a spot for this show, we invite you to purchase your tickets immediately!
The Aperture Foundation
547 W. 27th St, 4th Floor
7pm Potluck | 9pm Slideshow

Where Were You?

Last night I was one of nearly 40 reviewers at the free ASMP Portfolio Review night. It was a wonderful event, and thanks to ASMP, all the sponsors, and Tribeca Skylight Studios for making it happen.

One of my favorite things is to look at portfolios and talk with photographers about their work. I love the passion and eagerness that photographers have, and it’s a chance for me to see work of all genres. There was some wonderful work, and hopefully I was able to give some constructive advice and feedback. There was also a great group of reviewers, some of whom I had the pleasure to meet for the first time. For me, the night was a great success.

However, with that said, I was really surprised there were not more people at this event. I mean it was FREE! What better motivation do you need these days? All ASMP members had the opportunity to have face-to-face meetings with art buyers, reps, agents, photo editors and even some consultants. I am at a loss to understand why, especially in this climate, people would not take advantage of EVERY opportunity presented to them.

Did I mention it was FREE for ASMP members?

It is never wrong to show and talk about your work with other industry professionals and to socialize, strategize and commiserate with other like-minded people. Now is a great time for everyone to refresh their work, and more importantly, their perspective on their own work. With so much opportunity I’m disappointed that so many people chose to miss out.

Maybe you’re just not feeling excited about your work—you know there are things you should be doing, but you’re not feeling motivated. Events like this are a great way to shake yourself out of lethargy and depression.

For my part, I’m always energized after being with other creative people and talking about photography. I get information about the industry I couldn’t get otherwise. And I feel a part of something, not just an individual working in a vacuum. It’s an energy that moves me forward, which is what I’m always trying to do. I consider it an investment in myself to come to events like this, to participate, and to socialize.

So thanks to those photographers who came out last night, and congratulations to you for your dedication to your photography. I wish you luck and hope you were as energized as I was.

ASMP Commercial Portfolio Review Wednesday, October 7

I'll be reviewing portfolios this Wednesday, October 7 at ASMP's annual portfolio review that is free for ASMP members. You can sign up here

This year's review will be held at Tribeca Skyline Studio, 250 Hudson St (Penthouse) with sign-in at 6pm and the reviews going from 6:30pm - 9:30pm.

I'm just one of an amazing group of reviewers, so sign up and show up. To find out who else is reviewing

Remember, this is FREE and open only to ASMP members, so make sure you're there. It's a chance to get feedback on your work, see friends and make contacts.

Seriously, what else do you have to do on Wednesday night?