New York June NYC Meet-Up

497K followers.

Pretty much my workbook indicates that I photograph many things and that I really can't claim I am any one type of photographer, except maybe a crazy one.

I go back into the 70's when Ivan Karp, the art dealer and owner of O.K. Harris Gallery on West Broadway, liked my paintings, but made the comment that I had too many ideas and my work looked like three or more different artists.

So here I find myself again where it makes it unlikely that my work could easily be summed up and easily commodified.

I followed Christian's advice and sectioned off groupings. Looks like I have a street portrait section; a "street" section; an urban landscape section; an event section; a travel section; and a fashion section. Really amazing how un-unified my work is. Not lots of clarity like I thought. Oh-well.

I'm more confused than ever. LOL.

Cal
 
Cal,
Editing is the hardest thing. It is something I struggle with a lot. No one wants to be put in a narrow category, but I think the reality is that if you don’t put yourself in a box, someone else will do it for you.
The greatest artist I’ve known personally was an old friend of my family. He was an Japanese-American sculptor living in the Netherlands. He was unbelievably prolific, and he worked in every media available. He worked with casting in bronze, aluminum, welded steel, assemblages of industrial junk, plastics, foam core, drawings, etchings, screen prints, 16mm film, photo collages, daguerreotypes and even commodore amiga drawings. A truly impressive array of work, and everything was high quality and uniquely his style.
He had one commercial hit in the art world, which were these giant knots he made out of different metals. They are great, and they are in museums around the world, but it is the only thing that he is known for. All the other stuff is forgotten, and he will live on as the knot man. That is just how the art world works.
 
CNNY said:
He had one commercial hit in the art world, which were these giant knots he made out of different metals. They are great, and they are in museums around the world, but it is the only thing that he is known for. All the other stuff is forgotten, and he will live on as the knot man. That is just how the art world works.
Click to expand...

Sobering story...
 
Reality is very sobering. I realize nearly 40 years ago I was in the same place as today. Back then Ivan Karp, the art dealer on West Broadway, the owner of O.K. Harris Gallery, was interested in my work, but I took it the wrong way when he said, "You have too many ideas," and that my body of work looked like it could be 3-4 different artists.

I made the decision back then to keep on doing what I'm doing, and promised myself that the only person I'm trying to please or impress is myself. I don't think I made a bad decision, and this was right for me.

Interesting to note that in last year's "The Fence" there were 80 winners, but this year only 41. It seems that this year there is a format change with regional sections. I believe this impacted my chances of getting in greatly. Oh-well.

I think I have been "optioned" for shooting an event this Thursday, but so far I have little info except it is Thursday night. Tried to get some background, but I was told I will be e-mailed today. This is a paying gig with this creative director. So I enter the world of chaos.

So to be honest, I'm moving forward, I have some bills to pay down (camera related), but pretty much after this debt is gone I don't think I want to be bothered with paying gigs. I can proudly say I don't need your money.

I don't mind being an outsider who stands alone. I'm o.k. with that. I see with "Maggie" that being a celeb is really a hassle, and people project into your business and the lack of privacy is not what I like. I enjoy solitude, and perhaps deep down I'm antisocial.

I think if a commercial gallery approached me I would tell them to leave me alone. I can't see any gallery worth 50% commission. Also I don't see any galleries where my work fits in. Most work is in color and there no longer is a premium on silver wet prints anymore.

I went to the Mermaid Parade Saturday. Seemed like this usually feastave and over the top "Art Parade" had a "Mike Pence Filter" applied. Really subdued vibe, and the crowds and energy seemed diminished. Pretty much I took some shots of Coney Island and none of the parade. It was lame. What happened to my city? How did the Mermaid Parade loose its way? Where did the crowds and fun go? WTF?

I built a 4 inch thick cover for my monster book. Went to Talas and spent more money than I would of liked. They had this LED museum desk lamp on the closeout rack for $25.00. I have extra supplies on hand for other projects. I think I will make a folio of the 5 shots and the 200 words of text that did not make The Fence. I think this packet is so well self contained that it would be great a the top of a homepage on a website.

A very short documentary of 5 shots and 200 words of text that displays drama and conflict the day of the Trayvor Martin vedict. The work is so self contained.

Cal
 
??? I went to the parade. Same craziness as every other year. People just started arriving a little late that's all. Might have been a combination of worldcup and fantastic weather? They had the staging area and registration area greatly expanded stopping the mad scrum for registration. This meant that more people got registered quicker and went beyond the gate to the paid area. Maybe that's why it looked like there were less people? Actually felt this year was better than last year went it came to the costumes. Less zombie bull**** and more wacky mermaids
 
I knew Iceland would do that. I've been watching them for a while, they are very disciplined, not easy to play against. I'm sure the team did their homework, but it must have been a shock for the fans.

One of my german friends was a good sport and joined us at a tiny tortilla place filled with jubilant Mexicans. There is a long history of world champs loosing their first game. I'm sure they will bounce back.
 
CNNY said:
I knew Iceland would do that. I've been watching them for a while, they are very disciplined, not easy to play against. I'm sure the team did their homework, but it must have been a shock for the fans.

One of my german friends was a good sport and joined us at a tiny tortilla place filled with jubilant Mexicans. There is a long history of world champs loosing their first game. I'm sure they will bounce back.
Click to expand...

Germany looked old and lethargic. Hope they wake up and get going. Mexico is going to win the group so the Germans have a tough road ahead
 
So the Thursday night gig is not happening.

I was told they would contact me Monday with more info and that didn't happen, so I kinda figured they had another photographer in mind. I find out from "Maggie" who is in California that she was informed via E-mail that they met with the client around 1:00 PM and will be in contact with me thereafter. So there is saying and not doing on two counts because they said twice they would contact me on Monday and both times it did not happen. Pretty much lying.

Tuesday: crickets...

I get further smut from Maggie that this event begins late and runs into the night and (surprise) they picked another photographer. Pretty much they say they will save me for another gig...

So how hard is it to send an email?

So if there is any future opportunity, or if its all talk (or lying), I remain with a bad taste in my mouth. I think Phil is right: it is a matter of self-respect, having enough self-esteem, and even perhaps being arrogant that I think I will highly likely turn down politely any possible future opportunity to work with this creative director.

I find this culture insulting and disrespectful. I'm kinda glad that I am not hungry and that I don't have to eat this crap. I have better and more productive things to do. On one hand in a time when some working pros I know got squeezed out of their careers, I know I should be greatful for the opportunity, but is the lack of dignity, respect and professionalism worth it?

Pretty much moving on...

Cal
 
Hey Cal,

My suggestion is play hard to get. I've done various versions of the following with great success:

Client: Can you put me down tentatively for next week, 6/21/2018 7pm?
Cal: I've got two other calls for that date - from your competition. So the first design house who locks it in first with a PayPal deposit, signed purchase order, or whatever - is the winner. You do know how to win, don't you? You just put your lips together and blow.
Client: PayPal on the way. Would it be too much to ask if you'd let me pay you for a few other dates as well?
Cal: Hmm, let me check my calendar - I might have to juggle a few things.
Client: That would be great. And let us know how many swag bags you'd like. Of course we'll have two interns available to help with gear or to keep your wine glass full. We're so glad you're onboard!

I think the fashion biz calls for this kind of "must-have" "it-photographer" attitude. They'll love thinking they got someone everyone else wants. Plus if they drag their feet you can always get back to them and say "Sorry, the other client just sent you a deposit. Hope we can work together in the future. Love your designs! Ciao baby."

Thing is - I can tell you smelled their odiferousness a mile into the future - so call them on it.

The shooting game isn't like football. Nobody pays you for yardage. When you're a shooter you keep score real simple. At the end of the day you count your money. The shooter with the most money is the winner. I spell dignity and respect M-O-N-E-Y! Money is honey. Are you listening to me Bloom?
 
NY_Dan said:
Hey Cal,

My suggestion is play hard to get. I've done various versions of the following with great success:

Client: Can you put me down tentatively for next week, 6/21/2018 7pm?
Cal: I've got two other calls for that date - from your competition. So the first design house who locks it in first with a PayPal deposit, signed purchase order, or whatever - is the winner. You do know how to win, don't you? You just put your lips together and blow.
Client: PayPal on the way. Would it be too much to ask if you'd let me pay you for a few other dates as well?
Cal: Hmm, let me check my calendar - I might have to juggle a few things.
Client: That would be great. And let us know how many swag bags you'd like. Of course we'll have two interns available to help with gear or to keep your wine glass full. We're so glad you're onboard!

I think the fashion biz calls for this kind of "must-have" "it-photographer" attitude. They'll love thinking they got someone everyone else wants. Plus if they drag their feet you can always get back to them and say "Sorry, the other client just sent you a deposit. Hope we can work together in the future. Love your designs! Ciao baby."

Thing is - I can tell you smelled their odiferousness a mile into the future - so call them on it.

The shooting game isn't like football. Nobody pays you for yardage. When you're a shooter you keep score real simple. At the end of the day you count your money. The shooter with the most money is the winner. I spell dignity and respect M-O-N-E-Y! Money is honey. Are you listening to me Bloom?
Click to expand...

Dan,

Much respect for being an experienced working Pro. Also all the stories you revealed about all the stealing of your work, and how you recovered your fee. Those stories are horrific.

I think between what you say and Phil's stance of having self-respect not to work for nothing and taking crap to maintain dignity and self esteem is correct. I don't want to be hosed...

Cal
 
Hey Cal,

If I knew so much I'd be much better off (financially and otherwise). Just trying to inject a little humor. We do the best we can. I suppose by reading ourselves and our clients to the best of our abilities we can achieve more successful outcomes - think Sun Tzu and The Art of War (it really applies). Personally, I've somewhat thrown my hands in the air. 🙂

Congrats to Maggie on 500K!
 
NY_Dan said:
Hey Cal,

If I knew so much I'd be much better off (financially and otherwise). Just trying to inject a little humor. We do the best we can. I suppose by reading ourselves and our clients to the best of our abilities we can achieve more successful outcomes - think Sun Tzu and The Art of War (it really applies). Personally, I've somewhat thrown my hands in the air. 🙂

Congrats to Maggie on 500K!
Click to expand...

Dan,

It takes balls. You did it. Much respect.

It is not fun, but that is not why we are photographers.

I say that no gallery is worth a 50% commision unless that includes cleaning my apartment (a mess) and scrubbing my toilet.

I do find the world of fashion interesting just because it is crazy in an interesting way.

So hear is a story: imagine a big time Madison Ave firm contacting Maggie requesting a shoot specifically requesting me as the photographer. They want to lend us a $100K luxury SUV to photograph around NYC. Basically they want to lend us this SUV for a weekend, but the contract is basically they can sue me, but I can't sue them.

The fee at that time was big, but really peanuts considering that you could add a few zero's to the advertising company's fee that they are charging the client they represent. The client is no obscure brand BTW.

Pretty much considering everything they wanted to almost pay us nothing. All these agencies say, "They have no-money," but that is not the truth, they just don't want to pay us.


Cal
 
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