Vince Lupo
Whatever
Been considering having a show for a couple of years now. The last show I had was about 13 years ago, and I think I'd like to do one again (that is of course if any gallery will have me!).
I'd love to have some thoughts about the shots I've set aside for possible inclusion in this possible show, if you have some time. Not sure whether it's better to post all the photos that I put aside into the body of this thread, or for you to look at them on Flickr. I'll try Flickr first, and if that's not the best option, then I can post them here (there are 28 of them so far, so that's why I wasn't sure if it would work here):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/direction-one-inc/sets/72157635055158721/
These are photos that I've just picked out for the time being as 'place holders' and put into this Flickr 'set' -- I don't think there's any common theme here, which may or may not be a good thing. The only thing that they have in common is that they were all done within the last 3 years, and of course they're all black & white. Maybe the show could just be 'recent work', but if I could have some thread that ties them together, that might be good (or maybe there is a common theme here, but I'm so close to the work that I'm not seeing it). I'm thinking of maybe 30-35 pieces in total for the show, but if I can only find 20 good ones to show, then that's fine too. I'll likely be adding more photos to the set -- they might be ones that I've already shot, or ones that I've yet to shoot.
I have an eye on a few places in the Baltimore area for the show, but here again, I'd have to first be accepted to show, and the work would have to appropriately fill the space. The images wouldn't be too big -- likely 8"x12" prints, framed with a white mat and plain dull black metal 'box' frames, maybe 17"x20" framed. I'm hoping to be able to do this show within a year.
As I say, if it's preferable that I post all the photos here in this thread, please do let me know. Many thanks for your time, and hopefully there's something of value here.
I'd love to have some thoughts about the shots I've set aside for possible inclusion in this possible show, if you have some time. Not sure whether it's better to post all the photos that I put aside into the body of this thread, or for you to look at them on Flickr. I'll try Flickr first, and if that's not the best option, then I can post them here (there are 28 of them so far, so that's why I wasn't sure if it would work here):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/direction-one-inc/sets/72157635055158721/
These are photos that I've just picked out for the time being as 'place holders' and put into this Flickr 'set' -- I don't think there's any common theme here, which may or may not be a good thing. The only thing that they have in common is that they were all done within the last 3 years, and of course they're all black & white. Maybe the show could just be 'recent work', but if I could have some thread that ties them together, that might be good (or maybe there is a common theme here, but I'm so close to the work that I'm not seeing it). I'm thinking of maybe 30-35 pieces in total for the show, but if I can only find 20 good ones to show, then that's fine too. I'll likely be adding more photos to the set -- they might be ones that I've already shot, or ones that I've yet to shoot.
I have an eye on a few places in the Baltimore area for the show, but here again, I'd have to first be accepted to show, and the work would have to appropriately fill the space. The images wouldn't be too big -- likely 8"x12" prints, framed with a white mat and plain dull black metal 'box' frames, maybe 17"x20" framed. I'm hoping to be able to do this show within a year.
As I say, if it's preferable that I post all the photos here in this thread, please do let me know. Many thanks for your time, and hopefully there's something of value here.
bobbyrab
Well-known
Hi Vince, You have some really nice work in there and I'm sure people would be happy to view it in a show, but I don't see quite what, if anything, brings it together as a collection.
It may be that your renting the space to put it on yourself, in which case it doesn't matter, but if you were looking for a gallery to host it, I'd imagine them preferring to have a theme that they can market more easily.
Your work looks like your more than capable of fulfilling a brief, why not set yourself a project or two, get together a set with more substance. This is not meant as criticism of the images, but I think a collective direction in any show is stronger than, here are some nice photos.
It may be that your renting the space to put it on yourself, in which case it doesn't matter, but if you were looking for a gallery to host it, I'd imagine them preferring to have a theme that they can market more easily.
Your work looks like your more than capable of fulfilling a brief, why not set yourself a project or two, get together a set with more substance. This is not meant as criticism of the images, but I think a collective direction in any show is stronger than, here are some nice photos.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Yes you definitely have a point, and I appreciate your taking the time to look at them. And criticism/critiques are welcome, so don't worry about that.
I had the same thoughts as you -- yeah here are some photos, but is anything connecting them or are they just random shots? Or are random shots / 'recent work' okay, and it doesn't matter whether they convey a common theme?
I think I'm trying to come together with some kind of theme, but not quite sure what. Funny but my wife thinks my black & white work is 'depressing', as she puts it, so that got me thinking about something like loneliness etc, and I can kinda see that in a few of the photos in this set, but dunno if that would work.
Hmm....maybe this show might be two years out!
I had the same thoughts as you -- yeah here are some photos, but is anything connecting them or are they just random shots? Or are random shots / 'recent work' okay, and it doesn't matter whether they convey a common theme?
I think I'm trying to come together with some kind of theme, but not quite sure what. Funny but my wife thinks my black & white work is 'depressing', as she puts it, so that got me thinking about something like loneliness etc, and I can kinda see that in a few of the photos in this set, but dunno if that would work.
Hmm....maybe this show might be two years out!
Particular
a.k.a. CNNY, disassembler
I'm kind of going through a similar process with some recent images. It is a brave move to put the question out here, so respect for that.
I also feel generally that a series that is 'tight' in the sense that it knows what it is about is much more powerful than a collection of seemingly random (strong) images. I don't tend to mind if the theme, or what ties them is not obvious, but some images just gravitate together.
A little thought experiment:
All your images are strong individually, but as a group they seem all over the place. When I go through the set I am kind of guessing what they are about, and some of the images seem to go together, even if it is not clear why, while others seem disruptive. The mini series of cement laying is an example of such a disruption. Because they are clearly of the same event, it raises the question how all the other images relate to that event, and since they don't, it is disruptive. If however you would nix three of the images aside from the one with the four of them in a row (cement20), then it may work. To me these four workers may be laborers, or they may be doing some improvised theatre. Because the real event is obscured, it evokes my imagination in a way it didn't before. Now if I think the theme might have something to do with theatricality, suddenly there is a connection to a lot of the other images, like; the people on stage (france79), the girl in the church, the boxers, the museum shots, even the nature shots like the swimmers, the big rocks, and the hay-bales all strangely fit. They are all curious enough once divorced from the real events, to stimulate the imagination. They are surreal enough to make you wonder if they are found or staged, and if there is some hidden meaning.
I also feel generally that a series that is 'tight' in the sense that it knows what it is about is much more powerful than a collection of seemingly random (strong) images. I don't tend to mind if the theme, or what ties them is not obvious, but some images just gravitate together.
A little thought experiment:
All your images are strong individually, but as a group they seem all over the place. When I go through the set I am kind of guessing what they are about, and some of the images seem to go together, even if it is not clear why, while others seem disruptive. The mini series of cement laying is an example of such a disruption. Because they are clearly of the same event, it raises the question how all the other images relate to that event, and since they don't, it is disruptive. If however you would nix three of the images aside from the one with the four of them in a row (cement20), then it may work. To me these four workers may be laborers, or they may be doing some improvised theatre. Because the real event is obscured, it evokes my imagination in a way it didn't before. Now if I think the theme might have something to do with theatricality, suddenly there is a connection to a lot of the other images, like; the people on stage (france79), the girl in the church, the boxers, the museum shots, even the nature shots like the swimmers, the big rocks, and the hay-bales all strangely fit. They are all curious enough once divorced from the real events, to stimulate the imagination. They are surreal enough to make you wonder if they are found or staged, and if there is some hidden meaning.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Hmmm! Now that is very interesting!
See, this is what happens when you're too close to the work -- can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak.
I do admit that I look at daily 'scenes' that I come across as sorts of 'tableaux' -- I mean, we're all in our own personal theatre in life, aren't we? So this is quite interesting indeed -- many thanks for that!
russelljtdyer
Writer
Here's a list of my preferences and thoughts on a few of your photos.
When I saw the four guys looking stranded and surrounded by cement, especially with the gesture of one of the guys, it looked interesting and humorous. I think by itself it's an excellent photo. But the three other shots of the cement work sort of explain the scene and they spoil the fun of the first one. I would leave out those three shots and have the one photo of the four of them together. That's one of your best photos.
I don't like so much Piccadilly Circus 40, 46, or 10a, but I think Piccadilly Circus 50 is good. Like CNNY says, either do a series or have nothing related. I like the girl sitting on the floor. I like the Getty re-enactment soldier sitting in front of the tents, but since it wasn't taken in the 1860's, it feels too staged.
I've seen the one of the girl in the church before. I liked it the first time you posted it and I still like it. It's also one of your best shots. I also like the night scene that's labeled France79, the fan called NYC1, and Hubbells1a of the elk head. Ambro1 is very curious. I think the other photos that I didn't mention are also good. I just have problems with the few I listed: the three circus scenes, the three cement worker shots, and the U.S. Civil War shot.
Overall, I think you have some stunning shots. If you print them well and large, I think it will make for a nice show. You should do it.
-Russell
When I saw the four guys looking stranded and surrounded by cement, especially with the gesture of one of the guys, it looked interesting and humorous. I think by itself it's an excellent photo. But the three other shots of the cement work sort of explain the scene and they spoil the fun of the first one. I would leave out those three shots and have the one photo of the four of them together. That's one of your best photos.
I don't like so much Piccadilly Circus 40, 46, or 10a, but I think Piccadilly Circus 50 is good. Like CNNY says, either do a series or have nothing related. I like the girl sitting on the floor. I like the Getty re-enactment soldier sitting in front of the tents, but since it wasn't taken in the 1860's, it feels too staged.
I've seen the one of the girl in the church before. I liked it the first time you posted it and I still like it. It's also one of your best shots. I also like the night scene that's labeled France79, the fan called NYC1, and Hubbells1a of the elk head. Ambro1 is very curious. I think the other photos that I didn't mention are also good. I just have problems with the few I listed: the three circus scenes, the three cement worker shots, and the U.S. Civil War shot.
Overall, I think you have some stunning shots. If you print them well and large, I think it will make for a nice show. You should do it.
-Russell
cz23
-
Vince, I actually don't see them as "all over the place." Some obviously don't work together for me. But individual people is certainly a pattern. As are your generous use of setting space and people in those spaces. I perceive it as aloneness or solitude rather than lonliness. Your use of B&W and treatment of tonality is also very consistent. And I see a graphical unity in some of them.
How about the location? For a local show that can provide sufficient integration.
I think if you remove the images that obviously don't fit, and then spend some contemplative time with what remains, you will likely find a thread of unity. Then search your archive for others or shoot some more.
John
How about the location? For a local show that can provide sufficient integration.
I think if you remove the images that obviously don't fit, and then spend some contemplative time with what remains, you will likely find a thread of unity. Then search your archive for others or shoot some more.
John
Jubb Jubb
Well-known
You may have a series with the portraits, ie popcorn man, girl in the gallery and so forth, otherwise the images don't really stand together.
Particular
a.k.a. CNNY, disassembler
It is much easier to see connections in someone else's work than it is in ones own. I suppose that you need to try to make sense of something you see for the first time, while your own work already makes sense to you. You were there after all. It can be hard to as it were forget the event, and just see the image.
And when I say you, I also mean me, as I have the same problem.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Many thanks for all the comments -- definitely appreciated and illuminating!
Like a couple of you have mentioned, I am now starting to see some connections, however tenuous. John, I think you have a point with the distinction between 'solitude' and 'loneliness' -- maybe that's what I've been driving at all this time. And the scenes (in some cases anyway) almost come across as personal 'stage sets', so the idea of theatre is also interesting. Maybe that's a reason why I keep trying to integrate those circus shots in there somehow, but maybe I should just keep #50 in, if any at all.
Seems like I have more work to do if I'm going to arrive at a cohesive 'message', if I can use that term.
Like a couple of you have mentioned, I am now starting to see some connections, however tenuous. John, I think you have a point with the distinction between 'solitude' and 'loneliness' -- maybe that's what I've been driving at all this time. And the scenes (in some cases anyway) almost come across as personal 'stage sets', so the idea of theatre is also interesting. Maybe that's a reason why I keep trying to integrate those circus shots in there somehow, but maybe I should just keep #50 in, if any at all.
Seems like I have more work to do if I'm going to arrive at a cohesive 'message', if I can use that term.
bobbyrab
Well-known
Personally I think it would be a mistake to try and make tenuous connections after the fact, announcing a collective title or theme will detract if the connections require a stretch of the imagination, and the suggestions so far I don't think would convince me that they work better as a group.
After all, It's a visual medium, if you need a written title to tell you how to connect the images then you fall at the first hurdle. It needs to be strong enough to be self evident, or abandon the idea of a theme altogether and just show them as they are, but that's just one opinion.
After all, It's a visual medium, if you need a written title to tell you how to connect the images then you fall at the first hurdle. It needs to be strong enough to be self evident, or abandon the idea of a theme altogether and just show them as they are, but that's just one opinion.
cz23
-
I understand your point about the danger of imposing connections after the fact. However, I think it is likely that most serious photographers do shoot to a theme (or themes), even if we do so unconsciously.
I don't mean to get esoteric, but don't you agree that over time we are drawn fairly consistently to certain perceptions to the exclusion of others? If we have not done so, it is worth spending the time to try to connect the dots. Not that we need to bundle our way of perceiving with a word or phrase. But that is the process of discovering our particular sensibility or "voice," to borrow a term from poetry.
John
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
Personally, having looked through your set, I believe all the current set does (as one large group) is show that you are an accomplished photographer - those of us here at RFF know that already. Whilst I agree that themes can show themselves after the event/taking you still need to edit the current set down to something that works a little more tightly. There remains a freedom with this as I have no doubt that you have plenty more images worthy of showing.
My first showing was a selection of unthemed images and the audience response was generally that of confusion. My second gallery showing worked to a more themetic approach though still all of 'random' street shots and received a far better level of feedback. I think there's an expectation by the general public that some sort of narrative is being conveyed.
That second showings theme was solitude, something I think I'm drawn to, and it proved an open enough theme to fit all sorts of images in to whilst still providing a strong enough link throughout the selection.
Don't forget that how you arrange the show will also affect the flow and how they work together, luckily for me a friend is an excellent curator and showed me some of this magic art
I'm looking forward to seeing more as you head towards making your decision.
My first showing was a selection of unthemed images and the audience response was generally that of confusion. My second gallery showing worked to a more themetic approach though still all of 'random' street shots and received a far better level of feedback. I think there's an expectation by the general public that some sort of narrative is being conveyed.
That second showings theme was solitude, something I think I'm drawn to, and it proved an open enough theme to fit all sorts of images in to whilst still providing a strong enough link throughout the selection.
Don't forget that how you arrange the show will also affect the flow and how they work together, luckily for me a friend is an excellent curator and showed me some of this magic art
I'm looking forward to seeing more as you head towards making your decision.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I think that does happen, and as you state, we might not realize it until after the fact or someone points it out to us (kinda like some unconscious bad habit of mine that my wife point out). Here again, I go back to that 'not seeing the forest for the trees'. I mean, I don't think I leave my house, camera in hand, and say 'Today I'm going to photograph loneliness and solitude', and actively seek it out (I know that I couldn't have anticipated any of those photos that I shot, and I'm sure that you could all say that about your own photos). I think we gravitate to things without us necessarily knowing it. And perhaps it does take gathering all these seemingly disparate photos together to see if maybe there is something binding them.
Maybe what I'll do is see what else I have, pull out a few from this set, and see if things start to gel a bit better. These are early days, so maybe there are photos that I haven't even done yet that could become part of this 'series'. Many thanks again for all your comments and suggestions.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I've done a bit of an edit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/direction-one-inc/sets/72157635064297991/
cz23
-
I think you're on track with your revised set.
Now, how will you go about finding a venue for a show? I'd love to do the same, but don't have a clue how to do so.
John
Now, how will you go about finding a venue for a show? I'd love to do the same, but don't have a clue how to do so.
John
Vince Lupo
Whatever
There are a few places around the Baltimore area that I'm aware of, and someone who my wife works with is on the board of a place that has a gallery, and he asked her if I might be interested in having a show there (guess they're desperate???). I need to go look at these spaces, however, and some of those might require an application and review.
Not that I'm any expert in this, but maybe seek out places where you could realistically see your photos being displayed, ask about the exhibiting process (whether there's an application required, review by a committee etc), and go from there. Heck, I'd even be happy with a local coffee shop!
kbg32
neo-romanticist
A former instructor once said, "If someone offers you wallspace, take it." I'll add, "...you'll never know what might come of it."
I have had shows in some strange venues that lead to established galleries, which lead to sales, reviews, etc..
You do something visual, it's meant to be seen.
I have had shows in some strange venues that lead to established galleries, which lead to sales, reviews, etc..
You do something visual, it's meant to be seen.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Vince,
I already favorited two of your images on flickr.
To me, a successful show is a set of images that are good with one or two that is just taking my breath away. You already have at least two. I'm sure if I'm standing in the gallery, I'd pick up three more easily.
Go for the show and good luck.
I already favorited two of your images on flickr.
To me, a successful show is a set of images that are good with one or two that is just taking my breath away. You already have at least two. I'm sure if I'm standing in the gallery, I'd pick up three more easily.
Go for the show and good luck.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I just added three more shots to the set that I completely forgot about....
I'm trying to avoid dipping too far into the wayback machine for photos. 'The Far Side' was done at least 5 years ago, and I don't think I want to go back further than that. Just a personal thing, mind.
I also added the 'Gettysburg' photo into the 'Edit' set -- I think it still has relevance, at least for the time being.
I'm trying to avoid dipping too far into the wayback machine for photos. 'The Far Side' was done at least 5 years ago, and I don't think I want to go back further than that. Just a personal thing, mind.
I also added the 'Gettysburg' photo into the 'Edit' set -- I think it still has relevance, at least for the time being.