Long time photographer as a full time mom

[AHL]

I think artists in general enjoy more time alone and arent big social beasts. Or maybe it is just me and I have met only like-minded artists?

Maybe the less time you spend talking and socialising, the more you need to express yourself in other means. And art is a form of language/communication too.

So if you avoid people I guess you are on the right track

Sharing the work for feedback for me is pointless, because I want to share my vision and not the vision someone thinks should be my vision because it agrees with his vision. Maybe my vision is wrong, maybe it is right, who cares.

Sharing it for me has only point as a form of marketing for your living. The most likely outcome is it is going to cost you money, time and nerves no matter how good the work is. Art is nowadays not about how good you are, but how good people think you are.

Da Vinci was just common renaissance artist, until they have stolen it from louvre in 30's and the news for two years made headlines how it is the most beautiful painting ever, while it was most likely just quick buck for Leo. Until then most people didnt even know the name. Salvator Mundi was bought by a collector in 2005 for 10k, then he found its Da Vinci and the price is like 400 mil now. It's all speculation, but most things are anyways.

I dont believe it is possible to sell art for living unless you know people who need to launder their dirty money.

But I heard about an idea to let someone appriciate your art, then borrow money on it as a collateral. Which is quite funny. I might try this route one day just for the laugh.

We are artists in a world of declining culture, yet we still do it, because we love it. I dont think there needs to be more reasons.

Just my point of view.. enjoy the journey!

Everything you have written I agree with. It’s sad and jaded but true. The problem with me isolation led me to question why bother. Yes it has meaning but the scope became limited.
I don’t need a lot but after many years in isolation it would be nice to know someone other than myself feels something when they view it. Not just anyone as such, but those who value images.
Sometimes I feel defeated about things in general and that’s when I become even more isolated from myself and others. I try to undo this like now and believe iPhotrio has helped me by allowing me to express my thoughts to all of you.
I’m not sharing for anything other than self expression which is what I try to do in my photos. I think I would be extremely frustrated if I didn’t photograph
It’s true we do it for ourselves because we love it. I feel immense pride when I see one of my images and it just works for me on every level. I am truly fortunate!!

 

[AHL]

You know your way, a lot of people haven't found theirs (and that's OK, it's kind of scary and hard knowing what path is yours). It shows in your photography, and how you "see" and "make". Thank you again for your generosity in sharing your pictures, it takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there like that.

You all make it easy. The feedback has really made me think , about everything. I didn’t think I had anything more to say through photography but just reading other threads and your comments to me have awoken something. I don’t know what I want to say in my photos but I’ll keep taking them and hopefully it becomes clearer.
Thanks for your support and thoughts
Anita

 

[koraks]

I don’t know what I want to say in my photos but I’ll keep taking them and hopefully it becomes clearer.

That sounds like a great approach. Maybe your photos don't want to say something, but are more about asking questions. Or just channeling certain feelings. I'd keep an open mind as to what they are about. And perhaps some of them are just the result of a process of having fun, or working through something.

 

[Korbel]

Everything you have written I agree with. It’s sad and jaded but true. The problem with me isolation led me to question why bother. Yes it has meaning but the scope became limited.
I don’t need a lot but after many years in isolation it would be nice to know someone other than myself feels something when they view it. Not just anyone as such, but those who value images.
Sometimes I feel defeated about things in general and that’s when I become even more isolated from myself and others. I try to undo this like now and believe iPhotrio has helped me by allowing me to express my thoughts to all of you.
I’m not sharing for anything other than self expression which is what I try to do in my photos. I think I would be extremely frustrated if I didn’t photograph
It’s true we do it for ourselves because we love it. I feel immense pride when I see one of my images and it just works for me on every level. I am truly fortunate!!

You share things which make you happy with others, that definetely has a great value too

 

[MattKing]

I personally do get enjoyment out of sharing, and I do get inspired by the reactions of others - particularly when people see my photography differently than I do.
While it is pleasant when people like it, it doesn't bother me when they don't. It is probably most heartening when they find it interesting.
The whole process reinforces my curiosity, and I think that curiosity is one of the most important components of the urge to create.

 

[AHL]

That sounds like a great approach. Maybe your photos don't want to say something, but are more about asking questions. Or just channeling certain feelings. I'd keep an open mind as to what they are about. And perhaps some of them are just the result of a process of having fun, or working through something.

Very true. Previously I was working out my place in society hence I did self portraits for a couple of years. Then more recently travel. Now however I’m exploring. Creatively and mentally still with the same approach , film camera, black and white Same process in the darkroom but something has shifted. I’m not sure what but it’s fun!!
Thanks for the input it helps me sort through my mental jumble
Anita

 

[AHL]

You share things which make you happy with others, that definetely has a great value too

You know what I am happy. Not satisfied but happy that I’m pushing myself

 

[AHL]

I personally do get enjoyment out of sharing, and I do get inspired by the reactions of others - particularly when people see my photography differently than I do.
While it is pleasant when people like it, it doesn't bother me when they don't. It is probably most heartening when they find it interesting.
The whole process reinforces my curiosity, and I think that curiosity is one of the most important components of the urge to create.

I like also when people find it interesting. It opens discussion not just about the photo but can lead to other things which creatively then inspires me. Which is why not showing anyone anything has become stagnating for me.
Good for you you have the social ease to show your work and a strong supportive community. Truly that will keep you sane!
Thanks for sharing
Anita

 

[baachitraka]

I like also when people find it interesting. It opens discussion not just about the photo but can lead to other things which creatively then inspires me. Which is why not showing anyone anything has become stagnating for me.
Good for you you have the social ease to show your work and a strong supportive community. Truly that will keep you sane!
Thanks for sharing
Anita

perhaps you may share some of the work which is not fully analog...

 

[MattKing]

I get the most enjoyment from teaching or just interacting with younger less experienced people. There is nothing as enervating innervating as someone else's youthful enthusiasm.
EDIT: error in word choice corrected

 

[ezphotolessons]

You all make it easy. The feedback has really made me think , about everything. I didn’t think I had anything more to say through photography but just reading other threads and your comments to me have awoken something. I don’t know what I want to say in my photos but I’ll keep taking them and hopefully it becomes clearer.
Thanks for your support and thoughts
Anita

Anita: I once heard If it is ez you are doing it wrong, I wouldn't worry about saying anything, the photographs are doing the talking. if they're talking enough and still not saying anything, just do it as something to do that might be relaxing, that's not a bother, to make you think differently than the rest of the time you are doing your thing. Im glad I could help.

 

[AHL]

perhaps you may share some of the work which is not fully analog...

Don’t laugh, I only do analog!! I am so bloody simple and singleminded that I don’t bother with other techniques. My loss completely. If you can explore other avenues I bow to that. My mind can only focus on the intellectual and aesthetic jungle in my mind that all else has to be straightforward.
I will never be technically good but as long as I’m happy with the results I’m good.
If I do post some more photos everyone will have to accept that. Or I guess avoid if you think they are really bad! lol!
Anita

 

[AHL]

Very true. Previously I was working out my place in society hence I did self portraits for a couple of years. Then more recently travel. Now however I’m exploring. Creatively and mentally still with the same approach , film camera, black and white Same process in the darkroom but something has shifted. I’m not sure what but it’s fun!!
Thanks for the input it helps me sort through my mental jumble
Anita

@koraks if you could answer this question I would appreciate it. Has Photrio ever hosted a conference, large or small ? I’m curious as there are so many great minds and so much expertise specifically for me in film cameras that I think as we age will be lost to future photographers. I realize there are many conferences , workshops etc but this site is such a unique place that it would be nice to have the opportunity to share and explore.
Am I overstepping the aims of this site ?
Thanks
Anita

 

[baachitraka]

Don’t laugh, I only do analog!! I am so bloody simple and singleminded that I don’t bother with other techniques. My loss completely. If you can explore other avenues I bow to that. My mind can only focus on the intellectual and aesthetic jungle in my mind that all else has to be straightforward.
I will never be technically good but as long as I’m happy with the results I’m good.
If I do post some more photos everyone will have to accept that. Or I guess avoid if you think they are really bad! lol!
Anita

I was a purist but then somewhere in the middle the convenience too over and resorted to mobile snap shots.

Analog is only during holidays esp., in southern Europe and some parts in Asia.

=========

Don't worry, everyone will accept...

 

[Tel]

I seem to recall, in the dim and distant past when this group called itself Apug, there were forum entries suggesting regional meet-ups and such but no formal gatherings like conferences. As the years have progressed, it seems to have become ever more global and disparate, and that may be one good thing. I used to hang out in other discussion groups too, and I was amazed (and disappointed) by the silence those suggestions of meetings received. There was a group of us who inhabited Filmwasters who occasionally met for photo-walks in Manhattan and upstate New York, but that didn't last either.

 

[MattKing]

@koraks if you could answer this question I would appreciate it. Has Photrio ever hosted a conference, large or small ? I’m curious as there are so many great minds and so much expertise specifically for me in film cameras that I think as we age will be lost to future photographers. I realize there are many conferences , workshops etc but this site is such a unique place that it would be nice to have the opportunity to share and explore.
Am I overstepping the aims of this site ?
Thanks
Anita

I'm not @koraks - whose user name I corrected above in your first attempt - but I can answer.
Many, many years ago, when Photrio was known by its original name of APUG, there was a symposium hosted in Toronto, Canada, at the then business premises of the current member @Carnie Bob .
I wasn't there, but there are a few current members who were, including the site's owner and administrator, @Sean .
A second such symposium was arranged in Toronto a few years later, but I don't recall that it attracted as much energy.
APUG stood for Analog Photography User Group, and at that time was strictly dedicated to film, darkroom and alternative and historical chemical and optical based processes.
Based on what I observed back then on the forum, many participants did find it inspiring.
Prior to 2020 I was a member of a group of alternative and traditional photography enthusiasts called the CHPT-Pacifica group which prior to then held reasonably regular meetings on both sides of the border between Washington state and British Columbia - mostly near Bellingham in Washington State - but sometimes as far south as Oregon. We also held symposiums every few years at various locations.

 

[Don_ih]

Meet-ups are probably difficult for most active members here, for one reason or other. Almost everyone is spread out wide. Lots of people are on fixed income. I know of maybe 4 or 5 people within reasonable distance of me (say Cambridge to Toronto). I can't stand going to Toronto (most people who don't live in Toronto share that sentiment) but have to go there for work regularly. It would be possible to organize a local photo walk or something - but my experience is not many people on here want to participate in anything (I'm sure they have their reasons).

 

[koraks]

@koraks if you could answer this question I would appreciate it. Has Photrio ever hosted a conference, large or small ?

As you can see, you've received some valuable responses above and I can only support what @Tel, @MattKing and @Don_ih have said. In addition, I know that there has been a meet-up of alternative process printers (people doing cyanotypes, carbon transfer etc.) in the UK some 20 years ago. More recently I see regular conferences/meet-ups on specific topics, organized with varying degrees of professionalism and/or commercial interest. These are generally topic-based and attract a diverse and often strongly international crowd.

Since a meet-up is inherently geographically bound, I see Photrio more as a kind of glue or 'mycelium' that connects people across the globe. I'd like to see Photrio as a place where these different physical communities are linked, allowing for dissemination of ideas, knowledge and inspiration. In fact, that's how it already functions, but I also think there's some untapped potential.

So thanks for bringing it up; I think this is also that we should discuss a little more - both on the side of forum mods/admin as well as with all of you. I'm not sure yet how we can best engage each other/the community for this. The door is open for good (and even bad) ideas!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Gifting framed pictures to family and friends is always appreciated by the recipient and rewarding to the giver.