Are You Shy or Hesitant About Showing Your Photography In Public? Why?

Whether it be in a gallery - coffee shop - public library - the web.
My photography sits and gathers dust as time goes by, for I never gather enough resolve to get it out to be seen, known, although I'm told my stuff is good.
Does anyone here find themselves in the same situation - or shall I call it predicament?

The public prefers photography made with their own phones: selfies, nudes, cats, babies, etc. A small minority goes a step further and mixes selfies and babies with "dramatic sunsets" and "this looks like a face!" masterpieces. And finally, we have the microscopic minority with $10K+ worth of gear hanging on their shoulders who zoom into butterfly anuses to highlight how SHARP they are when blown up 200% on their calibrated monitors.

All of these groups couldn't care less about my selfies, babies, sunsets, and sharp butterfly anuses! So why bother?

DF said:

Does anyone here find themselves in the same situation - or shall I call it predicament?

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Not sure. I don't show much of my photography except by means of technical illustration. Why not? Well, why bother? What's in it for me? Attaboys? That doesn't sound right to me.

koraks said:

What's in it for me?

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Well, the answer to that question resides in another question: when you look at photos (taken by other photographers) that you like, are you giving them anything by doing it, or are you getting something out of it yourself? Perhaps "sharing" your photos is not about you but about everyone else.

Pretty much the only people who see my photos are family members and whoever gets a postcard or print from me on here - and a minor amount online. I doubt I'll ever try to get them in a gallery, coffee shop, or library. I'm sure that would be ok, if I could just hand them over and not have to do anything else. I'm not interested in the effort.

Don_ih said:

Perhaps "sharing" your photos is not about you but about everyone else.

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Perhaps. But I don't have the impression that my photos have any relevance outside the confines of my darkroom. Once in a blue moon I bring a stack of prints to someone and they'll generally politely leaf through it and frankly, that's more than enough for me.

Now, if my photos would have something to say, it would be different. But in all honesty, they don't. I make them for enjoyment of the process of making them, appreciation of a visual experience I happen upon and essentially a mildly hedonistic motivation. I don't feel like wasting wall space or viewer attention on this; I guess I'm insufficiently exhibitionistic to go there.

So maybe, one day, when I've figured out how to tell a meaningful story with images, I'll put them on a wall somewhere. Until that day, they're best kept in storage boxes.

koraks said:

I make them for enjoyment of the process of making them, appreciation of a visual experience I happen upon and essentially a mildly hedonistic motivation.

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I think that probably covers it for most hobbyist photographers.

I would do something for a small gallery or shop if I got invited. As for what art gets put in major museums, I have always found that world a mixture of (sometimes) brilliant talents and a pretentious or clueless viewership. Talent should be celebrated, but not idolized.

My best prints go to friends and family. I live under the expectation that my best is yet to come, if I am so lucky to keep pursuing it.

Sharing online mainly with other photographers is a pretty good place to be, because you get tips and cues how to improve, and you learn so much.

The bar for entering photography is lower now than ever. Supply vs. demand would imply that each individual photo was devalued. But on the other hand, now more than ever, less people taking photos pay attention to photographic rules or method. And that stratifies the quality of the photos being produced. There is also disagreement on which rules or method result in quality. That is to be expected.

I am not shy about showing a photo because in the end it is just a photo, the viewer's thought is just an opinion, we are just humans, we have limited time and then we die. The important thing is to do what we find a worthy use of our time.

I am pretty sure the world does need to see my photos, and I'm equally sure I do not need the world's adulation. However, I do share my photos online, and you should too.

If for no other reason, the selection process forces the photographer to make decisions about each photo: Is this photo more interesting than that one? Why did I take this? What should I have done differently? Out of this roll of film, which one (if any) do I want to show? etc.

Personally, I do enjoy looking at the photos taken by others for many reasons: artistic, voyeuristic, educational, entertainment, inspiration, and idle curiosity about what is going on in other people's back yards. In my mind, if I look at yours, it's only fair to show you mine. Don't be that person who gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner and brings nothing -- it doesnt' need to be fancy.

Forget about "the public" - there is no public, only a whole lot of individual people. Most of those people are going to look at most of my photos for less than a second, but perhaps one of them may notice something in one of my photos that makes them take a second look, makes them feel something, or allows them to learn something about what is going on in my back yard. And if not, oh well. At least I tried.

Also, I have made a few photo books. Some are specifically made to be of interest to certain very small groups of friends or family, and others may be of more general interest, though few will ever see them. I think any viewer would prefer to flip through a book of photos rather than trying to look at a phone screen!

Every public place I enter that displays art (small business, not museums or huge corporate offices) I always have the mental debate regarding asking about displaying some of my photography. I then realize that I have none of my work in my phone to give anyone an idea of the content (showing phone snaps of fiber prints is silly anyway), nor do I run around town with a portfolio in my car. So, while the idea is appealing to me, there is a general lack of readiness on my part.
As to why I would attempt this; Think of any photograph/s that you enjoy. Whatever the reason, whatever the feeling it brings forth in you as a viewer. All I could hope is that a couple people feel "good" in some way looking at an image I have made.

Not particularly - particularly in the group show environments where I have done so previously.
I enjoy seeing others' work in environments like that. I figure that others might enjoy and/or be interested in mine.
I also give prints as gifts.
When I visit the homes of those I have given those gifts, they often have them on display, along with other photos on display, and they tell me that they enjoy mine.
So why would I be hesitant?

DF said:

Whether it be in a gallery - coffee shop - public library - the web.
My photography sits and gathers dust as time goes by, for I never gather enough resolve to get it out to be seen, known, although I'm told my stuff is good.
Does anyone here find themselves in the same situation - or shall I call it predicament?

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Frame big prints and give them to friends and family as gifts. Not only will they be appreciated, but you will see them hanging when you visit (well maybe).

Don_ih said:

Well, the answer to that question resides in another question: when you look at photos (taken by other photographers) that you like, are you giving them anything by doing it, or are you getting something out of it yourself? Perhaps "sharing" your photos is not about you but about everyone else.

Pretty much the only people who see my photos are family members and whoever gets a postcard or print from me on here - and a minor amount online. I doubt I'll ever try to get them in a gallery, coffee shop, or library. I'm sure that would be ok, if I could just hand them over and not have to do anything else. I'm not interested in the effort.

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Excellent words.

runswithsizzers said:

I am pretty sure the world does need to see my photos, and I'm equally sure I do not need the world's adulation. However, I do share my photos online, and you should too.

If for no other reason, the selection process forces the photographer to make decisions about each photo: Is this photo more interesting than that one? Why did I take this? What should I have done differently? Out of this roll of film, which one (if any) do I want to show? etc.

Personally, I do enjoy looking at the photos taken by others for many reasons: artistic, voyeuristic, educational, entertainment, inspiration, and idle curiosity about what is going on in other people's back yards. In my mind, if I look at yours, it's only fair to show you mine. Don't be that person who gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner and brings nothing -- it doesnt' need to be fancy.

Forget about "the public" - there is no public, only a whole lot of individual people. Most of those people are going to look at most of my photos for less than a second, but perhaps one of them may notice something in one of my photos that makes them take a second look, makes them feel something, or allows them to learn something about what is going on in my back yard. And if not, oh well. At least I tried.

Also, I have made a few photo books. Some are specifically made to be of interest to certain very small groups of friends or family, and others may be of more general interest, though few will ever see them. I think any viewer would prefer to flip through a book of photos rather than trying to look at a phone screen!

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Good thoughts.

For many decades, the only people who saw my work were a few family and friends. I never sought out showing it in a public place. Many years later when I started working on my BFA I was required to show my work for class critiques and for several group shows. That was daunting at first but I appreciated the critical feedback plus it was fun to interact with others doing the same thing. While I still do not pursue showing my photography (except in the gallery here), I have made efforts to get my other art (mostly drawings) out there for public viewing. I had a 3 month show at the university gallery last summer and currently have one of those works in a show at our contemporary art museum. I'm not motivated to sell my work but I am coming around to liking the sharing as I think that some of my work has something to say.

Alan Edward Klein said:

Frame big prints and give them to friends and family as gifts. Not only will they be appreciated, but you will see them hanging when you visit (well maybe).

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An acquaintance once gave me a photo he had had printed on canvas and stretched, for the holidays. I thanked him and took it to its new home at the thrift store.

Pieter12 said:

An acquaintance once gave me a photo he had had printed on canvas and stretched, for the holidays. I thanked him and took it to its new home at the thrift store.

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A wise decision. Hopefully he never asked to see it hanging on your walls.

No, I have no compulsion to exhibit my work to the general public.

Should anyone ever ask for a print, and it hasn't happened yet, I'll face that hurdle when it comes.

Otherwise, I do it for the process and my own gratification.

VinceInMT said:

For many decades, the only people who saw my work were a few family and friends. I never sought out showing it in a public place. Many years later when I started working on my BFA I was required to show my work for class critiques and for several group shows. That was daunting at first but I appreciated the critical feedback plus it was fun to interact with others doing the same thing. While I still do not pursue showing my photography (except in the gallery here), I have made efforts to get my other art (mostly drawings) out there for public viewing. I had a 3 month show at the university gallery last summer and currently have one of those works in a show at our contemporary art museum. I'm not motivated to sell my work but I am coming around to liking the sharing as I think that some of my work has something to say.

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I'm sure your work has something to say to the viewer. So why deny them the pleasure of enjoying your work?

Pieter12 said:

An acquaintance once gave me a photo he had had printed on canvas and stretched, for the holidays. I thanked him and took it to its new home at the thrift store.

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Re-gifting is an art in itself.

Alan Edward Klein said:

So why deny them the pleasure of enjoying your work?

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Why do you choose to formulate this in terms of a "denial of pleasure"? The formulation suggests an entitlement of people to be shown Vince's pictures - but in reality, there is none. More so, if he (or anyone) chooses to show his pictures, how genuine is the gesture if it's made in the face of a moral demand? Is showing your pictures something like paying taxes? Or caring for ill family members? There's an obligation attached to it? Surely not?

koraks said:

There's an obligation attached to it?

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That would depend on how far one wants to extend the ethically-defined obligations people have to their society. Currently, we live in a world (at least the Western world) that is dominated by subjective freedom, individual rights, and personal entitlement. In a different society, whatever you can make and do could be understood to belong to the society itself, and you would not have the right to keep it to yourself.

But, like I said, that's not how it is, currently.

Alan Edward Klein said:

I'm sure your work has something to say to the viewer. So why deny them the pleasure of enjoying your work?

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That’s actually a good and thought provoking question although, as koraks speaks to, it is a bit pedantic in that way it is stated. Although I lightly addressed this above (#14) I’ve thought more about it and can expand on it to more specially answer Alan’s question.

I am rarely motivated by monetary rewards and many of the public venues are designed to sell work so preparing (the printing/drawing/painting, matting, framing) and marketing is just too much effort, for me, to play into that system. I am a member of a loose artist group (urban sketchers) and most of my peers in that group are also members of our area’s art association so I am regularly asked why I’m not a member. While I don’t need one more organization in my life, I find that the focus of the group are the art sales they do during the year. I’m just not motivated to monetize my hobby.

As to the question of having something to say, I am not sure that all I have to say would fall under the heading of “pleasure of enjoying” for the receiver. What I have to say is, or can be, expressed in my photography, my drawings, paintings, mosaics, and, especially, in the stacks of sketchbooks I have not to mention my journals. Because I see my journals (and sketchbooks) as art (they are hand lettered and illustrated) should I be sharing them with the public so as not to deny them the pleasure of my thoughts and feelings? Some writers do go there (Anne Lamott and Dani Shapiro are two memoirists I’ve read recently) and many other artists have made their marks in other mediums doing the same. I’m not ready to open up that much, yet.

That said, I do share quite a bit in a public space, the Internet. I have posted quite a few photos in the gallery here. I have a pretty large web site (http://www.codecooker.com) where I share my hobbies, interests, and passions and where I have a whole section on the visual arts, many of which are accompanied by writings and (horror) even artist statements. I also have a couple of blogs. One is where I share my ongoing distance running project to run all the street in my city (https://myrunbillingsproject.blogspot.com/). Every run is documented with GPS mapping, photos, and written commentary. Another blog (https://fjradventures.blogspot.com/)documents my adventures/travels on my motorcycle (over 30,000 cross country miles in the past 3 years) with LOTS of commentary, maps, and photos.

Aside from online, I have something to say/share about the history of radio broadcasting and have, on numerous occasions, been guest speaker on one aspect of the field or another at historical society’s in my state. One talk was specifically about “Women on Radio” when I addressed the unsung impact they had. And, yes, I have a web site devoted to old time radio. (http://www.otrannex.com/)

So, maybe, I am NOT denying anyone the pleasure of enjoying my work but my lack of interest in marketing it limits who might find it.

Are You Shy or Hesitant About Showing Your Photography In Public?​

No.

I've been exhibiting for many years, on and off (my first exhibits were traditional art making). I'm not shy at all about showing my work, be it by traditional means, or photography, but I am shy by nature (hard to believe since I am a teacher! Not shy in this role, though...) I don't like speaking about my work at openings, for example. I just feel so awkward.

Although many may want to share their work, it is presumptuous to assume that there is a receptive audience for the work.