When teaching photography in a high school I would have to rush over to the office between classes to take a pee. One day as I stood there I noticed a hole in the wall where something had previously been hung. That gave me an idea. I hung one of my prints there where the other male teachers would have something to look at. It was gratifying to get some nice comments, so I started changing out the photos every now & then. I have had very few of my prints shown in public, but when I write my tongue-in-cheek CV my first proud listing is "rotating exhibition, Gallery P."
It is after all, simply the love of seeing that moves us.
For an annual gathering of friends, I filled up an empty Moab Somerset paper box with some prints to share with the group. Some were established artists, but I was not, so it was a rare self-promotion for me. As we sat and chatted (before the food came out) I passed the prints out, one at a time. They liked the images, but they loved the paper! I could see the way they held them and rubbed thier fingers over the paper. That tactile experience enhanced their experience!
Agree with you entirely on the virtues of printing. But it's dying. The North Bethesda Camera Club has a vibrant program for jpg contests, but can barely attract enough prints for a print contest. The large majority of members don't seem to have a printer or any real interest in getting one. All the usual explanations seem to apply. Very discouraging.
I'm a member of the Portland Camera Club in Maine. The members who print could help those that don't so the non printers become more interested and proficient. There has been some success in our club. Don't give up! Prints and the papers are beautiful!
After moving, and being unable to buy ink for love or money for my Epson, which led to its eventual demise. Ive finally taken the plunge and ordered a new printer. Very excited to get back to creating physical objects. My next big personal project is to bind a book, inspired by your posts a while back.
When teaching photography in a high school I would have to rush over to the office between classes to take a pee. One day as I stood there I noticed a hole in the wall where something had previously been hung. That gave me an idea. I hung one of my prints there where the other male teachers would have something to look at. It was gratifying to get some nice comments, so I started changing out the photos every now & then. I have had very few of my prints shown in public, but when I write my tongue-in-cheek CV my first proud listing is "rotating exhibition, Gallery P."
It is after all, simply the love of seeing that moves us.
For an annual gathering of friends, I filled up an empty Moab Somerset paper box with some prints to share with the group. Some were established artists, but I was not, so it was a rare self-promotion for me. As we sat and chatted (before the food came out) I passed the prints out, one at a time. They liked the images, but they loved the paper! I could see the way they held them and rubbed thier fingers over the paper. That tactile experience enhanced their experience!
Agree with you entirely on the virtues of printing. But it's dying. The North Bethesda Camera Club has a vibrant program for jpg contests, but can barely attract enough prints for a print contest. The large majority of members don't seem to have a printer or any real interest in getting one. All the usual explanations seem to apply. Very discouraging.
I'm a member of the Portland Camera Club in Maine. The members who print could help those that don't so the non printers become more interested and proficient. There has been some success in our club. Don't give up! Prints and the papers are beautiful!
After moving, and being unable to buy ink for love or money for my Epson, which led to its eventual demise. Ive finally taken the plunge and ordered a new printer. Very excited to get back to creating physical objects. My next big personal project is to bind a book, inspired by your posts a while back.