Why do people show their photographs to other people?

[bjorke]

Why?

Because people just won't shut the heck up.

 

[catem]

Cate-
Cafes are a good place to show early on because they give you exposure, and they're often not very picky about whose work they show. The downside is that with few exceptions, most people going to the cafe are not there to buy art, they're there to drink coffee.

That's exactly what I found - I planned the exhib (I had the whole cafe) a month before Christmas and a month after, thinking people would buy Christmas presents - in fact I think it worked the other way as people didn't have spare cash. I did sell two - one off the wall and one to a friend later who saw the pics in frames at home (forgot about that one in my first post as it doesn't seem to count quite, then edited it). Even though I went a couple of times and could see people looking at the prints, as you say they were there to buy coffee not spend a not insubstantial sum (I wasn't wanting to undersell myself either). Even though this café has a good reputation amongst local artists (the proprietor himself is an ex-professional photographer). It did give me exposure but I'm not sure how valuable this was overall - one portrait client (an acquaintance already - though showing no portrait pics, but still lifes) and one loony lady who contacted me....

But - on a personal development level - well worth doing. And according to the proprietor lots of positive comments, which I think is the best you can hope for with this sort of thing and something to value - money isn't everything. Or fame

 

[Steve Smith]

That's why I was a drummer.

Doesn't work though does it?!!

Steve.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

George suggests in his post that process is incomplete. Crazy even. Thoughts?

Regards, Art.

I don't see what the problem is. Failed communication still has something to do with communication, just like an uneaten cake still is a cake, even though it was designed to be eaten. Are you bothered by incomplete processes? Sure, coitus interruptus is annoying, but there are no deep ontological differences between an exposed and an unexposed photography. The Aeneid wasn't meant to be published, at least if you follow Vergil's last words. Exposing a photo is taking a step further in concretizing the artistic act, but I don't think it makes one less of a photographer not to expose. It just helps to prove it better than waiting for your heir to discover the masterpieces you have kept in your drawers.

 

[DannL]

My only reason for delving into photography, just so happens to be the same reason I post this reply . . . so others may see it. If others could not enjoy my work, or even despise my work, then what is the purpose? If one person is inspired by my efforts, it is all worthwhile.

 

[gr82bart]

Are you bothered by incomplete processes?

Michel,

First, there is no problem. Second, please understand what you are reading and to whom you are attributing quotes. I'm not the one that calling anything an "incomplete process". I'm just asking a question why someone else is. This isn't meant to be a flame starting material, Michel.

Regards, Art.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Michel,

First, there is no problem. Second, please understand what you are reading and to whom you are attributing quotes. I'm not the one that calling anything an "incomplete process". I'm just asking a question why someone else is. This isn't meant to be a flame starting material, Michel.

Regards, Art.

Sorry Art, I didn't mean to present a snappy tone, and my question was more geared towards asking what made you concentrate on George's position. "Incomplete" sometimes carry a disvaluation for the object it describes. You must have given some thought over the role of incompleteness regarding the communicative process of photography, and that is what I wanted to elicit.

As for me, what I'm saying is that before we discredit people who do not expose, it is important to understand that showing or not a photography does not change its nature. There is no "coming into being" that occurs with the presentation of a photographic work.

 

[catem]

As for me, what I'm saying is that before we discredit people who do not expose, it is important to understand that showing or not a photography does not change its nature. There is no "coming into being" that occurs with the presentation of a photographic work.

I certainly wouldn't discredit anyone who doesn't show their work to other people. Certain work I've done I don't show to other people either.

However, I think there is some kind of "coming into being" that happens to a photograph when it is put in the public domain (whatever that may mean). There comes a point when the photograph is no longer just a part of you, or an expression of something you were doing or trying to say. It becomes something else, sometimes quite independent and unpredictable, when it is viewed by others, to the extent that sometimes you have to sit back and let it go it's own way.

 

[DougGrosjean]

..... It becomes something else, sometimes quite independent and unpredictable, when it is viewed by others, to the extent that sometimes you have to sit back and let it go it's own way.

I've seen that happen with things I've written. I have one very plain message in the text, yet others somehow manage to find other more subtle bits in there. I suspect that some photos have the same effect - the photog shot one thing, yet somehow people see something else.

 

[photographs42]

It’s been a while since I’ve thought about this. In my Artist Statement I say that “I photograph for myself”. This is very true. When I am out with my camera it never enters my mind that I might show my efforts to others. So I don’t think, in my case, it’s about communication. I enjoy the “experience” of finding something that captures my imagination and working with the LF camera to get the image just the way I want it. Sometimes I have been known to spend as much as an hour with a potential subject only to walk away without making a negative. And the truth is that I enjoy the experience almost as much as when I capture that occasional prizewinner. I know for a fact that in this stage of the process, I am simply doing what I enjoy.

As an Architect, I make a living creating designs and showing my efforts to clients. In that regard I am more like a Portrait Photographer in that my “Art” is custom tailored to my client. Show and tell is a part of that process. But in my personal Art (landscapes), my only “client” is myself, so why show my images to others?

I suppose it begins when I create an image that I am particularly pleased with and I want to show my friends what a “wonderfully talented and creative artist” I am. OK, my friends don’t buy that either, so I am basically showing it because I am showing off. It has nothing to do with why I created it in the first place and I am not looking for critique or suggestions on how to make improvements. I am just saying, “Look what I did.”

“Why do people show their images to others? What do you get out of it?”

Twenty-five years ago I was coerced by a friend to show my work at an Art Fair. We had a great time, sold a few things, and I decided it might be a fun way to offset the expense of my hobby. I remember my wife’s reaction when I told her. She said, “How can you do that? What if people don’t like them?” My reply, “Some people won’t. So what? There are lots of things at Art Fairs that I don’t like so I just walk on by. I expect I’ll get a lot of that.”

So, for me, showing my work at Art Fairs (or other exhibits) is a way to sell prints. I get lots of praise, I win my share of awards, I make a reasonable amount of money from sales and I enjoy talking to people about my images and about photography in general. But I really don’t think it has anything to do with having a strong desire to “share” my work with others. I think some people “need” to have positive feedback to validate their efforts. I don’t happen to be one of those people. Nevertheless, it’s still nice to have that occasional pat on the back. I’ve always said, “whether you win awards or you don’t remember, it’s only two or three people's opinion…….but it’s still nice to win!”

Jerome

http://www.jeromehawkins.com/

 

[catem]

But I really don’t think it has anything to do with having a strong desire to “share” my work with others. I think some people “need” to have positive feedback to validate their efforts.

http://www.jeromehawkins.com/

'Sharing' and 'needing positive feedback' are not necessarily the same thing, and do not necessarily go together. Needing a 'pat on the back', or praise, is not always the same thing as being interested in how others see your work, or how they react to it.

 

[jstraw]

Part of why I show my work to some people has to do with my need to have them understand what it is I'm doing or their desire to know.

 

[copake_ham]

Perhaps an alternative way to look at this issue is to ask:

If you were to never show anyone your photographs; would you still shoot them?

It seems to me that while sharing one's photos may be important to some; the first principle is to seek one's personal vision.

 

[DannL]

Perhaps an alternative way to look at this issue is to ask:

If you were to never show anyone your photographs; would you still shoot them?

. . . analogous to telling a really good joke, and laughing your a** off, while alone in the woods.

Sad, so sad.

 

[photographs42]

'Sharing' and 'needing positive feedback' are not necessarily the same thing, and do not necessarily go together. Needing a 'pat on the back', or praise, is not always the same thing as being interested in how others see your work, or how they react to it.

Good point, and I agree.

I think it’s a personality thing. In my personal life, I’m very easily hurt or offended. In my professional life, my Architectural work and my Photography, I am much less sensitive about how well people like what I do. Whatever I’m doing, Architecture or Art, I don’t show it to others until it is “good” in my mind, to my standards. If my client or friend doesn’t like it, I don’t see that as an indication that it isn’t “good”, only that it hasn’t hit a chord with them as it has with me. I have an associate who is very different. His feelings toward his work are very influenced by the reaction of others and he only considers his work “good” if others do also. He NEEDS positive feedback to maintain his self worth.

I suppose a psychologist could explain all of this.

Jerome

 

[eddym]

Cate-
that unfortunately is par for the course when showing your work, especially in the early days of your exhibition career. It is something you have to get through, though. Cafes are a good place to show early on because they give you exposure, and they're often not very picky about whose work they show. The downside is that with few exceptions, most people going to the cafe are not there to buy art, they're there to drink coffee. The art is an incidental bonus for going in.

But it can bring intangible dividends. I participated in a group show at a restaurant many years ago, and a couple of weeks after the show, the organizer called me and said a couple wanted to buy one of my works. It seems the piece had been handing at the table at which they had sat the evening that they became engaged to be married. And they had admired the photo, as well as, of course, each other. And they had fond memories of the evening and the photo, so they wanted to buy it.
I must say, I was thrilled by both the sale and the circumstances.

 

[John McCallum]

The process of showing images to other people who you trust to give constructive feedback will help to develop "one's personal vision". If they don't get it then chances are the idea is weak or the idea was good but unsucessfully translated into an image.

I believe that you do need to be able to articulate something about your photography that is convincing to other people. That sense of purpose could be as broad as "I make beautiful landscape pictures" or "I make whimsical soc doc & street photos", or it could be a tight and refined art statement.

Whatever ... if you never show anyone and say "Oh I'm developing my vision, first" you run the risk or staying that way forever. It takes some backbone to do more and talk less rather than the other way around.

 

[copake_ham]

The process of showing images to other people who you trust to give constructive feedback will help to develop "one's personal vision". If they don't get it then chances are the idea is weak or the idea was good but unsucessfully translated into an image.

I believe that you do need to be able to articulate something about your photography that is convincing to other people. That sense of purpose could be as broad as "I make beautiful landscape pictures" or "I make whimsical soc doc & street photos", or it could be a tight and refined art statement.

Whatever ... if you never show anyone and say "Oh I'm developing my vision, first" you run the risk or staying that way forever. It takes some backbone to do more and talk less rather than the other way around.

John et. al.,

I appreciate what you are saying which is why, although I posed the question as an absolute, I do, for example, post some photos to the Gallery (a very small percentage - however).

But it seems to me that it is a matter of shades of gray here. Certainly those here who are professionals HAVE to share their work - it's how they make a living.

But for amateurs such as myself, it's a less easy call how much often and to whom I should show my pics. Perhaps I'm burdened with those mid-20th C. cliches about the bored party guests being forced to sit through umpteen carousels of the host's vacation slides?

Then again, too, as an Amateur I have few "venues" in which to share my work - at least few that don't fit those "cliches".

But next time you're here in the States and get to NY - I'd be glad to show you my slides and prints . Hope you have plenty of time because I've got thousands of them!

 

[jgjbowen]

Why show my photos to other people?

Because I just love it when other people say to me "WOW, your CAMERA takes such Great photos!"

If that isn't an ego boost, I don't know what is!

 

[John McCallum]

My experience of people who bore their audience with overly copious quantities of images is, they don't really have an interest in their method of photographing to any depth. That is they show the images in order to present a record of themselves in the situation. I think that is fine if that is your objective (and you don't mind seeing your friends irregularly).
However, I guess there is an assumption behind this particular discussion that the purpose is for something more than just record shots.
If you are a person who naturally likes to improve your abilities, particularly in areas that you are passionately interested in then why would you not take every avenue available to do so with your photography?
But even if you are happy with where you are at and you only do it for fun and a sense of satisfaction through self expression; photography is a method of visual communication and it takes at least two to party (as already mentioned so well).
I do believe it is important to be honest with yourself about the level at which you are at, and find an audience appropriately. The audience could be friends or a club, or it could be a sucessful advertising agency who will have expectations to be met or savy art buyer who will have expectations to be moved. Whatever sails your boat.

The audience that has most difficulty being objective about your photography is yourself.

... I just love it when other people say to me "WOW, your CAMERA takes such Great photos!"

wrong audience.

 

[copake_ham]

My experience of people who bore their audience with overly copious quantities of images is, they don't really have an interest in their method of photographing to any depth. That is they show the images in order to present a record of themselves in the situation. I think that is fine if that is your objective (and you don't mind seeing your friends irregularly).
However, I guess there is an assumption behind this particular discussion that the purpose is for something more than just record shots.
If you are a person who naturally likes to improve your abilities, particularly in areas that you are passionately interested in then why would you not take every avenue available to do so with your photography?
But even if you are happy with where you are at and you only do it for fun and a sense of satisfaction through self expression; photography is a method of visual communication and it takes at least two to party (as already mentioned so well).
I do believe it is important to be honest with yourself about the level at which you are at, and find an audience appropriately. The audience could be friends or a club, or it could be a sucessful advertising agency who will have expectations to be met or savy art buyer who will have expectations to be moved. Whatever sails your boat.

The audience that has most difficulty being objective about your photography is yourself.



wrong audience.

John,

I suspect you are much younger than me.

 

[snegron]

I have often struggled with this idea as well. Many years ago I was determined to get my images printed in newspapers. It was fun at the time. I enjoyed the feedback. As I got older, photography changed its meaning. I began viewing it as art, or the outward visual expression of intimate thoughts. Some people liked my images, some did not care for them.

I got into wedding photography rather late in the game. I applied my "artistic approach" to the images I took. Again, many liked the images, many did not. I found myself frustrated at why some people did not care for the images I thought were works of art, but liked my crappy extra shots instead.

I have choosen to keep for myself the images I consider to be examples of my inner thoughts. It is not worth the aggravation of having to explain my images to people who only want bright, cheerful snapshots of themselves at the wedding. The same people that think that black and white images are in some way defective because they lack color.

In other words, I like my images. They are a window into my thoughts. I know there are too many people out there who won't appreciate my images, therefore, I have no desire to please them. My images will hang on my wall for the viewing pleasure of myself, my family and select friends I have over every now and then.

 

[Early Riser]

Art is supposedly a means of expression, not showing your work to other people is like talking to yourself.

 

[John McCallum]

Simple as that.

John,

I suspect you are much younger than me.

Well, I'm not young but also not stale in my photography.

 

[jgjbowen]

Why show my photos to other people?

Because I just love it when other people say to me "WOW, your CAMERA takes such Great photos!"

If that isn't an ego boost, I don't know what is!

Sorry gang. I shoud have specifiedl that these comments were (very tongue in cheek) from my college days (1979-1980) when I had my first 35mm, a Konica TC, and would show my snapshots to our college friends.

These days my "art" hangs on my office walls and my clients comment on the photos vs the camera.