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Question about art shows and Columbus photographers.

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Started 2 years ago by misskitty
Latest reply from Coreroc

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misskitty
Columbus
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This is to Columbus Photographers I had some questions.

Recently my photography teachers have been laying it on me to get out there and show some work.
Start spreading it around as they have said and while I am not opposed I am not sure where to completely start. I have done only two shows one was a place out of town and the other was for MadLabs to much photography show.
It was pretty fun over all I would not mind doing it more.

To anyone that shows photography where did you get started doing that ? I mean is there a direct way to do it or is it more just chance and kind of random?

I was thinking of having a web site build but those are pretty expensive from what I have seen so I will have to save up for that.

Another thing I was wondering about was pricing When I showed at MadLab it was the first time I had ever had anyone ask me a price on work. I have seen some photographs go for two hundred dollars at some shows for me personally that is a lot for a photo. I don't think I could honestly ever sell a photograph for that.

How do you as an artist or a photographer how do you go about pricing ?
What do you take into consideration besides the cost to have it printed of course?
I really don't care if anyone wants to buy them I am not really in it to sell them. I like the idea of just showing a different view on something or making someone think about what they are seeing.

So does anyone have any suggestions or feedback that could be useful on this?
Thanks for your time

Posted 2 years ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
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This is a really complicated question, and much more complicated now than in the past because of the age of digital. Years ago, a print was a print was a print, meaning the photographer had actually put in time in the lab creating the exact image you were buying and no two images would then be identical, so valuations tended to be easier to come by. Now that people are shooting on digital, and with the right quality equipment, can make print after print that are identical, I think its devalued some of the work a bit. That's all starting from a place where the market for artistic photography in Columbus is limited at best.

Your attitude, first and foremost, is just awesome for doing this, because you want to show first and sell as an afterthought. There are several places around town who will show local photography (priced) on rotation like McGraw Hill, but I'd think a lot of the other JV style shows like C-Note or the shows Laura has been doing would be good opportunities as well. TONS of restaurants and bars around town will also feature local photographer work in smaller prints at a lower price point.

Now, in answer to your real question...pricing. First and foremost, you need to look at image size, printing cost, matte/frame/etc. for presentation. For that, I'm sending you a PM of someone to contact, because he'd know much better than I would.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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Thanks for the replay Core,
I know that digital photography has really killed the art in general. Although I have seen some amazing shots done with digital. I feel like everyone could do it if the subject is right.

I have always been a film fan at hart. I still use my regular old 35mm a lot. It took me a long time to willing pick up a digital camera. Here recently I have been taking more and more classes on photography and those classes require digital for the most part. The first few just required a point and shoot I was happy about that because I have got some amazing shots out of my durable point and shoot.
The second half of my classes required a DSLR. Well for Christmas my boyfriend went all out and got me a nice one and some lenses. I would like to mention that I am still not use to it. It's big and it has all this stuff switches, button and just stuff. Also it's hard to get my candid street people shots with it because people automatically stare. LOL It's not very effective for stalking the street of Columbus in that size.

As far as pricing my shots they wanted prices for I put twenty bucks on. I just added the cost of the print, matting and the cheap frame. I chose cheap frames because I feel like if someone wants this photo in their home basic is best so they can switch it up to match their style.
Money is for sure not a pushing factor at all.

I really would love to one day work in photojournalism I think that subject is worth way more than a thousand words. I love stopping time in it's tracks and really seeing people or a subject in a raw state. Sure they are definitely not always the most flattering to the persons looks but that's what makes it real for me anyway. '

My teachers also keep making mention that I should really pursue a photography degree. Would I love to one day travel the world and show people the things I see? Why hell yea I would !! But the realist in me also knows that with so many great photographers in the world it would be a long shot.

Posted 2 years ago #
Joseph L. Harris
Dublinish
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If you're not worried about whether or not you're going to sell your photos, there are tons of places you can get them displayed. I can tell you all about how to show and NOT sell. :) A good place to start is by asking in cafes and restaurants. I think the first place I showed anything was at Shi Sha, who did monthly rotations. Also, Upper Arlington has some kind of program through an arts organization that puts art in local office spaces for 3 month rotations.

Although I have seen some amazing shots done with digital. I feel like everyone could do it if the subject is right.

Sorry, but that is so wrong. I think the photographers that say the camera doesn't matter at all are wrong too. But the idea that it's all equipment and subject is just as wrong. Ask a professional wedding photographer some time what they think about Ashton Kutcher's stupid Nikon commercials where he's playing with his camera at a wedding.

I won't attempt to give you pricing advice, because I rarely sell "fine art" prints, so I apparently don't have that figured out either. I got all kinda of great compliments on my 4 or 5 prints at TMP 2009, and sold none.

Posted 2 years ago #
roy
Downtown
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If you have a nicely framed, cohesive show of appealing work and aren't worried about sales and fame, there's no shortage of places to show your work.

No doubt there's a framer and a website developer each in need of some photography work. Consider bartering your skills to mount/frame your work and to create a website. A good bio would be helpful too, and there are plenty of writers who would trade for a new head shot or something to help you with this important marketing tool.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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If you're not worried about whether or not you're going to sell your photos, there are tons of places you can get them displayed. I can tell you all about how to show and NOT sell. :) A good place to start is by asking in cafes and restaurants. I think the first place I showed anything was at Shi Sha, who did monthly rotations. Also, Upper Arlington has some kind of program through an arts organization that puts art in local office spaces for 3 month rotations.

I will check into this as well. I have seen a lot of stuff displayed in different offices and restaurants and just wondered how that cam about. I suppose a Email to start would be a great idea.

Sorry, but that is so wrong. I think the photographers that say the camera doesn't matter at all are wrong too. But the idea that it's all equipment and subject is just as wrong. Ask a professional wedding photographer some time what they think about Ashton Kutcher's stupid Nikon commercials where he's playing with his camera at a wedding.

So what makes a photograph ? The camera or the subject or Both?
I personally believe that it's not so much the camera as much as subject and the person taking the photo.
I mean I have had some good shots from my DSLR but a few of my favorite photos I have taken have also come from a free disposable camera I got with a pack of Pampers.

Just so I am clear I am talking about just cameras in general like basic Point and shoots, Disposable, and DSLR,(The lens) as well as film 35mm. If you took the same exact photo with those it would still be the same subject. With only variations on Color, and sharpness.

Obviously if someone purchases a Specialty Camera it is going to do something different than the typically used cameras.
I mean if you are buying a Mamiya DL28 or a Hasselblad H3D-II-39 for fifteen grand , I would hope it does something fantastic that other cameras can't do.
I have always been told that when it comes to cameras along the Digital line it's only as good as the lens you have on it.

Just because you tweaked my interests about that Nikon Commercial.
What is the problem with it? I mean do photographers hate it ? why do they? I have never put much thought into it that's why I am asking. lol

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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roy wrote >>
If you have a nicely framed, cohesive show of appealing work and aren't worried about sales and fame, there's no shortage of places to show your work.
No doubt there's a framer and a website developer each in need of some photography work. Consider bartering your skills to mount/frame your work and to create a website. A good bio would be helpful too, and there are plenty of writers who would trade for a new head shot or something to help you with this important marketing tool.

That is also a fantastic idea. I never thought of that awesome
suggestion.

Posted 2 years ago #
Joseph L. Harris
Dublinish
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If you are in an establishment that either shows art already, or has room to show art at least, just ask someone who works there. It's as easy as that.

So what makes a photograph ? The camera or the subject or Both? I personally believe that it's not so much the camera as much as subject and the person taking the photo.

It is all three, and the photographer is probably the most important factor. Chances are, you're not going to take the exact same photograph that I do, even if it were the same subject in the same place at the same time. The image is a convergence of all equipment, subject and photographer.

Maybe I misunderstood your statement. I thought you said that you'd seen some digital photographs that you thought were good images, but that you felt that anyone could make them if they had access to the subject. I interpreted that to mean that digital made the photographer an unimportant part of the equation, that anyone could do it.

I have always been told that when it comes to cameras along the Digital line it's only as good as the lens you have on it.

This is mostly true. Good lenses are important. But you're not going to shoot a wedding at ISO 3200 without a flash with a Nikon D50 or D40. But you can with the D700/D3.

ust because you tweaked my interests about that Nikon Commercial.
What is the problem with it? I mean do photographers hate it ? why do they? I have never put much thought into it that's why I am asking. lol

The problem with the Nikon commercial is that it is implying that it's the camera that makes the photograph good, not the photographer. So People think they can go buy the camera Ashton had in the commercial, and suddenly they're a Professional Wedding Photographer.

Posted 2 years ago #
Joseph L. Harris
Dublinish
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Oh, and I should point out that before I got a DSLR and learned how to use it, I on several occasions declared my devotion to analog photography. Now, I pretty much only shoot film on World Toy Camera Day.

Posted 2 years ago #
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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misskitty - you might think of just putting some of your work on a blog before going for a big flashy flash website. Tumblr is free, has an amazingly simple interface, and is perfect for showing pictures. Here's my tumblr: http://lisathewaitress.tumblr.com/ I like how it has nice big thumbnails and then you can click on them. There are also more standard templates.

Posted 2 years ago #
CDS sherman
East Franklinton
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FAD is getting our studio/gallery space together in the next couple of months. we would love to do a reception and show! let me know if your interested. basically it would a one night event with drinks and music. you could display and sell. we have had a few parties in the past and alot of people do show up.

Posted 2 years ago #
thorne
Clintonville
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I agree totally with lisathewaitress. Get yourself a Tumblr, slap on a theme similar to hers or mine, http://thornephotos.tumblr.com/ and start populating it with your images. Couldn't be easier.

Posted 2 years ago #
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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If you have any photos that are music related you can show at Junctionview next month! If you have any questions, shoot Laura or myself a PM.

http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/call-for-entries

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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thorne wrote >>
I agree totally with lisathewaitress. Get yourself a Tumblr, slap on a theme similar to hers or mine, http://thornephotos.tumblr.com/ and start populating it with your images. Couldn't be easier.

Alright thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s pretty cool I will start one of those and see how it works out. Thanks for the suggestions Lisa and Thorne.

FAD is getting our studio/gallery space together in the next couple of months. we would love to do a reception and show! let me know if your interested. basically it would a one night event with drinks and music. you could display and sell. we have had a few parties in the past and alot of people do show up.

Yea I am that sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to integrate into the community more. I will check the F.A.D site about updates and stuff. Thanks for letting me know a head of time.

If you have any photos that are music related you can show at Junctionview next month! If you have any questions, shoot Laura or myself a PM.

No Somer I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t really have anything music related. But I will also check the site for Junctionview for updates and diffrent shows as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
Coreroc
Egoville USA
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http://www.cnoteartshow.com
http://www.agoracolumbus.com
http://www.thisisindependent.com
http://www.junctionviewstudios.com
http://www.oal.org

all of these links should help you with showing at events and gettign involved with OAL will also help start a path in showing artwork. Many local coffee shops deal in photography showing. The bad side is as a photographer you will be in a huge talent pool of driven photogs all looking to do the same thing. So make sure that you put a good marketing spin on your work.

Posted 2 years ago #