Call for Photographers

[jovo]

Rosenstock... THAT'S his name!!!

I hope he didn't read my last post...

Psssst....ssshhhhh .....Ed.....use the 'edit' tool.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Psssst....ssshhhhh .....Ed.....use the 'edit' tool.

I would if I could ... doesn't exist on that message.

 

[SuzanneR]

Well, I will say this... that was a quick jury process. Got all four prints back with a "declined" stamped on each. Bummed... *sigh*

Self-pity moment... (sh*t, does my work suck?? )

Ok, over that. I'd still like to see this show, and hope to meet a few folks at the opening on the 11th. Though I'll probably get there after 2pm, and we can leave for a coffee.

 

[jovo]

Self-pity moment... (sh*t, does my work suck?? )
.

Well, if you submitted the same work that's on your website, the answer is a resounding NO, IT DOES NOT SUCK!! It's excellent, and, were there an environmental portrait category, would've been selected in a heartbeat. However, I didn't notice that there were any 'categories' at all so, since Mr' Rosenstock seems to be a mostly a landscape photographer, you work wasn't likely to compete well in the genre of "scenic, abstract, landscape with white doorknob on weathered wooden door" pile of 'graphs.

I'd love to see the work that was selected.

 

[Drew B.]

Well, I will say this... that was a quick jury process. Got all four prints back with a "declined" stamped on each. Bummed... *sigh*

Self-pity moment... (sh*t, does my work suck?? )

Ok, over that. I'd still like to see this show, and hope to meet a few folks at the opening on the 11th. Though I'll probably get there after 2pm, and we can leave for a coffee.

Well Suzanne..at least you had the courage to enter!

 

[Ed Sukach]

Self-pity moment... (sh*t, does my work suck?? )

No It does NOT suck - far, FAR from it. I"ve been there, done that, have the scar tissue and T-shirt. I simply look at entry into a "juried" show as a lottery... It was interesting to note that the 'lables' to be afixed to the work were about the same shape and size as Mass. lottery tickets.
I remember picking up my "pre-rejected" work from another juried show at a certain gallery around here. There was a woman retreiving her work as well - two watercolors; one had won "Best Watercolor" and the other, "Best in Show" in another juried competition a month before. - so go figure.

In every juried competition there is a "below-the-scene" agenda - some work will fall into the boundaries of that agenda; others will not. I doubt that "quality" or "merit" really has much - if anything - to do with the selection of work.

Ok, over that. I'd still like to see this show, and hope to meet a few folks at the opening on the 11th. Though I'll probably get there after 2pm, and we can leave for a coffee.

I am going to be MOST interested in the show as well. How can we identify ourselves to each other as APUG members?

 

[gr82bart]

Holy crap! I just got the e-mail that my images were accepted. Woohoo! Wait a sec....does this mean my images suck?

I swear I didn't enter landscapes nor did I enter any nude girlie pics to sway the judge either. I swear! Actually, I don't remember what I entered ..... hmmm.

Regards, Art.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Congratulations, Art!

I, on the other hand, just received an e-mail informing me that my entry was "deficient" - there was no return postage included... and that I would (or could) pick my photographs up during regular business hours. No mention of acceptance or rejection, but I will assume "rejection". That will mean another 90 mile trip. Seems to me there could have been a little flexibility, considering the steep entry fee, and that I hand delivered the return envelope - both the person receiving the work and I missed the return postage.

I submitted what I thought to be "Fine Art Figure Studies" (a.k.a. Nudes) .... and I'll confess to a "twinge" of resentment to a label of "Girly Pictures".
I do NOT do "Girly Pictures".

As usual, there was no restriction, or ADVICE of image content. I can understand why ... to do so would have reduced the number of submissions, and - cold comment to follow - the most important consideration of all - the revenues derived from this activity.

I am most interested in the final "show". That is where the REAL criteria for acceptance and awards will be displayed. Unfortunately for us, is it too late.

 

[SuzanneR]

Well, if you submitted the same work that's on your website, the answer is a resounding NO, IT DOES NOT SUCK!! It's excellent, and, were there an environmental portrait category, would've been selected in a heartbeat. However, I didn't notice that there were any 'categories' at all so, since Mr' Rosenstock seems to be a mostly a landscape photographer, you work wasn't likely to compete well in the genre of "scenic, abstract, landscape with white doorknob on weathered wooden door" pile of 'graphs.

I'd love to see the work that was selected.

John, Drew, Ed and Art: Thanks for the words of encouragement. And Art!! Way to go! Now, I'm really looking forward to seeing this show!

My prints came back in the mail yesterday, each with a "declined" stamp on the attached piece of paper. Then, (just to rub it in!) I received an e-mail late yesterday explaining they had a lot of submissions, and the juror was being very tough. Whatever that means. Anyway, they said to come to the opening, they'd have lots of food!! Hey, for my $60, I should at least get a free meal!

Ed, I think we met at Whitey's school once, so I'm sure I'll recognize you.

 

[Mark_S]

I got an e-mail with an indication that at least one of the three images that I submitted had been accepted. I have never had any of my work publicly displayed before, and have no idea what to expect...

I submitted three images - a 16x20 landscape, an 11x14 portrait, and another portrait/abstract image on 8x10.

A few questions for some of you more experienced folk...

I have never sold a photograph (I have bought a few). The gallery wants a selling price for the images - how on earth do I arrive at that?

I plan on framing the images in simple black aluminum frames, with neutral matting (I usually use a grey mat, the shade dependent upon the image) - should I be signing the print, the mat, neither?

When I print images for myself, I tend to include a lot of technical detail on the back of the print, so that if I want to make another one, I have a good starting point (paper, exposure information, dodging/burn info, toning etc) - should I include this or not?

 

[lee]

mark,

for this show why not just matt in a nice Westminister matt from LightImpressions? Just include the name of the print copywrite info and sign and date it.

lee\c

 

[Ed Sukach]

My prints came back in the mail yesterday, each with a "declined" stamp on the attached piece of paper. Then, (just to rub it in!) I received an e-mail late yesterday explaining they had a lot of submissions, and the juror was being very tough. Whatever that means. Anyway, they said to come to the opening, they'd have lots of food!! Hey, for my $60, I should at least get a free meal!

You received an additional e-mail? Obviously they thought my work was so inferior they didn't even bother to tell me it was rejected - or was it?

We need a dictionary to translate "Gallery Speak".
A few examples:

"You have an interesting approach": "What the hell planet are you from?"

"Interesting critique": "Go (insert impossble sexual act here) yourself."

"Your work did not meet our standards": "We didn't have enough wall space."

"Our judge had to be tough": "We didn't have enough wall space."

The last two are relevant here. If there WAS enough wall space, more than likely, everything would be accepted.

A "Free meal"??? I sprung not only for the submission fee, but also for the reduced price membership. One would think I'd learn, after all this time. Supposedly, there are a lot of benefits included in membership... A free meal might be a trifle much to ask for ... considering that they won't spring for a dollar and a half or so to return my entry.

It has been said that "The great corruptor of art is money." I retreived my work from Whitey's Belmont APUG show - beautifully wrapped in paper. MUCH APPRECIATED ... and all of it was done sans money.
I thought the work in that Belmont show was one of the finest collections of photography I've seen in along time. It will be interesting to compare (free) "Belmont" with the "Brush" Gallery.

Ed, I think we met at Whitey's school once, so I'm sure I'll recognize you.

We did. I remember you very well - the attractive, fascinating, captivating cause of my wife punching me around in the car afterwards - she "reads" me like a book :rolleyes: .

 

[winger]

First of all - Suzanne - no, your photography doesn't s*ck!

I got one image in, and I don't think it's my favorite of what I entered (thinking Linens 'n' Things). The judging was MUCH faster than I thought it would be - I received my prints in Saturday's mail. I'm planning on going up for the opening (I still want to see what's on the walls), so I hope to see you guys there. For those who haven't met me, avg height, thin, blonde.

 

[Drew B.]

For those who haven't met me, avg height, thin, blonde.

Everyone...forget the blonde thing...trust me, she's smart!

 

[winger]

Thanks, Drew!

As for pricing, Mark, I don't have a clue, either. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. And I also usually write how I printed the image on the back as well. I write it very small on an edge, so it isn't going to show once it's matted. I'm using Westminster matboard from LightImpressions, but not a standard opening (they chose one that is basically full frame, so it's closer to 10x14), so I'll be cutting one. I just hope Ilford warmtone looks ok with bright white. Or I'll be doing a fast order for something else.

 

[SuzanneR]

Hey Bethe! Way to go!!! Congrats on jurying in!

Not sure about how to price it, but cover your costs for materials, and a bit for the gallery. They are taking, what.. 30 percent?

Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

[Mark_S]

Bethe

I do my own matting - I highly reccomend it. It is not difficult with a decent mat cutter. Your selection of mats is much wider than going with the ready cut ones, however that said, I almost always use black, white or grey mats. I mostly order my frames online, and those too are easy.

I have the local glass place cut glass or plexi for me, all in all, I feel that this gives me the best control over the final product.

Still struggling with how to price my prints - it turns out that they accepted two of my images - the two most boring ones. They also were the two largest size prints, and my wife thought that the size may have had something to do with their selection process.

Mark

 

[winger]

Once I get them scanned, I'm going to post the 4 I sent - I'm curious which one you guys would pick.

I do cut my own mats - that's as "custom" as I get. I just wish this one fit a regular opening - that's easier. And I don't know what will look good with the warmtone.

Feel free to chime in - I'm thinking of $245 matted and framed? The materials didn't cost much ($50ish)- it's the time it takes to shoot, print, mat, and frame.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Thanks, Drew!

As for pricing, Mark, I don't have a clue, either. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. And I also usually write how I printed the image on the back as well. I write it very small on an edge, so it isn't going to show once it's matted. I'm using Westminster matboard from LightImpressions, but not a standard opening (they chose one that is basically full frame, so it's closer to 10x14), so I'll be cutting one. I just hope Ilford warmtone looks ok with bright white. Or I'll be doing a fast order for something else.

Congrats, and I would definately use the Westminster "bright white" mat board. I tried the natural white color once and changed it out since it looks an unattractive yellow under gallery lights.

Jon

 

[jovo]

Feel free to chime in - I'm thinking of $245 matted and framed? The materials didn't cost much ($50ish)- it's the time it takes to shoot, print, mat, and frame.

There's been extensive discussion of this issue here ( (there was a url link here which no longer exists) ) for instance. It's a long and argumentative thread, but there are a lot of good points made on both sides of the question. It's not an easy decision, but in this instance it's not a lifelong committment to a particular price point I think.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Well, gang ...

First the post I was about to submit:

It should be noted that I do not fault the Brush Gallery for not accepting my work... I was *fully* aware of that possibility when I submitted my entry.
I've been reviewing my "Artist's Satement" - carefully thought out over a period of time, and realized that I have to be reminded, at times, of its contents. Included is one reason for doing what I do - In one respect, it is a search for "kindred souls", through the nebulous "art" represented by my photography. At times (more often than not) the search is not successful, but when it is ... when someone "sees" and experiences the same emotional rush that I do, ... that more than compensates for the minor, inconsequential failures.

One comment, Suzanne ... I personally think your work is on the same "plane" as that of Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai's - certainly NOT the same, but if I was the Juror, I'll be damned if I'd be able to choose (and I would hope I'm never in the situation where I'd have to). That is by no means 'faint praise'.

Second ... Anyone have any Teriyaki sauce? I've heard it goes well with words. I don't think I really wrote any that I have to eat, but I came close ...
I just received an e-mail from the Brush Gallery. My "jumped-to" conclusion was wrong: "One or more" of my photographs HAS been accepted!!
I'm not sure which, but I'll visit the Brush on Wednesday (driving a friend to the Manchester Airport - Brush is midway on the route) and I'll continue the process from there.

 

[jovo]

Well, gang ...
...Anyone have any Teriyaki sauce? I've heard it goes well with words. I don't think I really wrote any that I have to eat, but I came close ...

Hey Ed, Carpe Erratum!

 

[SuzanneR]

Great news, Ed! I'm starting to think I should have kept this little show to myself, and not linked it here to APUG! I might have had a print accepted! Then again, maybe not? And at least we have a great excuse for a get together! BTW, Ed, thanks for the kind words about my work. I'm a fan of Cheryl's photographs. And I don't expect this little set back from keeping me photographing.

Should be a great show, and I will look for you at the opening, Ed and Bethe! Anyone else planning to be there?

 

[Mark_S]

I have uploaded scans of prints of the images that Brush accepted of mine - I don't have a print that I can scan of the one that they rejected (the only ones that I have are too big to scan). My scans are at: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

In both cases these are scans of 8x10 work prints that came from the same negs as the pieces that were accepted - the waterfall image was printed at 16x20, and the portrait as an 11x14.

 

[JustK]

The answer to your question is - NO!!!

Well, I will say this... that was a quick jury process. Got all four prints back with a "declined" stamped on each. Bummed... *sigh*

Self-pity moment... (sh*t, does my work suck?? )

Ok, over that. I'd still like to see this show, and hope to meet a few folks at the opening on the 11th. Though I'll probably get there after 2pm, and we can leave for a coffee.

Hi Suzanne,

Regarding the Brush Gallery, please do not for one moment doubt your work!!! It is wonderful and it comes from the heart - you know it, we know it, so no reason to doubt!!!

We all know what a crap shoot these juried shows are, nevermind the money we spend trying to impress some juror. After a number of similar experiences last year, I decided this year that I was not going to waste my time or money anymore, or at least be very very selective.

Brush was probably worth a shot, because it was traditional, but you still can't take it personally. We have a show here in CT, a premiere competition for photogs, traditional and digi, and stories abound about the winners and losers. Two years ago, one local photog's mini-portfolio was totally rejected, and he went on to become an award-winner at another venue, go figure!

One of my favorite quotes from Georgia O'Keefe:
"I get out my work and have a show for myself before I have it publicly. I make up my own mind about it - how good or bad or indifferent it is. After that the critics can write what they please. I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free."

So please keep your chin up, and carry on!!!

Blessings, Krystyna