Unmet photographic needs

[photomoof]

No matter how successful a gallery show might be - how such a work performs on computer/tablet/phone screens is its final test.

Gallery success is measured in terms of how much money is made, and computer screen success is measured on how many people have viewed and 'liked' a work.

When I began putting live images on the web, and first crossed the 1 million visitors mark, I learned about anonymous "likes." Interesting but no test.

Money is not the final measure of gallery/museum success. Certainly people always love talking about fashion and money. Again interesting, but no test.

Time.

Phil Forrest

Everyone wishes for time, but no one gets it. You just have to work under the constraints of time really never coming your way.

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I "need" a reasonably priced, portable darkroom for wet plate photography. There are a few companies out there making them but they are insanely expensive around $1,000+ all said and done.

I really want to get one and get back out there, but man, that's a tough pill to swallow...

 

[hlockwood]

No matter how successful a gallery show might be - how such a work performs on computer/tablet/phone screens is its final test.

Gallery success is measured in terms of how much money is made, and computer screen success is measured on how many people have viewed and 'liked' a work.

Which one is true success? Its hard to say.

Disagree on both counts. I've had two juried gallery shows, one in a wealthy community and one in a downscale community.

The photos I showed were archival (B&W Piezography) and very much of the "street" variety. I was very pleased with my effort - but no sales. However, the written comments by attendees were wonderful; people loved the images - but no sales, even though the prices were very attractive.

Maybe I should have priced the photos at 10x what I did, to prove I was an important photographer.

HFL

 

[Roger Hicks]

I "need" a reasonably priced, portable darkroom for wet plate photography. There are a few companies out there making them but they are insanely expensive around $1,000+ all said and done.

I really want to get one and get back out there, but man, that's a tough pill to swallow...

Is $1000 really "insanely expensive"? How big are these darkrooms? I have a Nova tent, and have had for around 25 years. They're about £460 (call it $750) + VAT and I can't really see how you can make them a lot cheaper. Limited demand; a lot of work + materials; guaranteed light-tight; forced-air ventilation; extremely durable... $1000 may be more than you want to pay, but it's hardly ""insanely expensive"

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

When I began putting live images on the web, and first crossed the 1 million visitors mark, I learned about anonymous "likes." Interesting but no test.

Money is not the final measure of gallery/museum success. Certainly people always love talking about fashion and money. Again interesting, but no test.

Hey! No fair! You're not supposed to know what you're talking about! This is the Web, after all.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

Hmmm,

Hmmm,

Hi,

Re; "No matter how successful a gallery show might be - how such a work performs on computer/tablet/phone screens is its final test.

Gallery success is measured in terms of how much money is made, and computer screen success is measured on how many people have viewed and 'liked' a work.

Which one is true success? Its hard to say."

FWIW, this appears to be a comment on what has been observed, and that doesn't mean approval.

As for success, heaven only knows... To me it seems to be a very personal thing to each person. Some like this and some like that.

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Just traced it back and here's a link;-

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/02/shopping-diderot-effect-oliver-burkeman

It's about needs and wants and so on. It's from Denis Diderot's essay in 1769 "Regrets For My Old Dressing Gown" which sounds a bit odd but it a very interesting summary of the whole problem of why we buy things we don't really need and how they manipulate us.

Regards, David

 

[Kwesi]

When I begun to take street photographs, I needed a RF-like digital camera. At that time there were only two such cameras, Epson RD1 and Leica M8.

Fast forward to today and the market is full of RF-style digital cameras at very good prices... My photography needs are met.


Do you have any photography need(s) that are still unmet?

From your subsequent posts/responses it appears "success" on your terms is an unmet need for you. FWIW your work is very good and follows in the tradition of the masters while staying contemporary. Your next step may be to pursue the venue that defines success for you- you have the work.

 

[Kwesi]

My unmet need is time. I work as an architectural photographer. I would like more time to pursue my personal work.

 

[Godfrey]

...
Everyone wishes for time, but no one gets it. You just have to work under the constraints of time really never coming your way.

Yes indeed. It's the most precious commodity of all.

G

 

[sanmich]

My book becoming a collector item.
Maybe I should start with actually producing a book?

 

[Hsg]

From your subsequent posts/responses it appears "success" on your terms is an unmet need for you. FWIW your work is very good and follows in the tradition of the masters while staying contemporary. Your next step may be to pursue the venue that defines success for you- you have e work.

I desire success in photography, like all other photographers, but its not a need.

I'm still a beginner.

 

[photomoof]

My unmet need is time. I work as an architectural photographer. I would like more time to pursue my personal work.

As one of the older guys, learning to grab small bits of time is my only true advice. I have known so many, including myself, who wait for that block of time, a photo vacation for instance, and never quite find the time. So they miss out on the late afternoon walk. Ritual really helps, an hour every other day no matter what.

 

[Kwesi]

Thanks Photomoof,
I have started taking regular lunch break walks, looking for the beauty in the ordinary.

 

[photomoof]

Thanks Photomoof,
I have started taking regular lunch break walks, looking for the beauty in the ordinary.

A hundred years ago, when I taught photography at university, I always tried to involve my students with the beauty of their immediate surroundings, even their own back yard. And especially their family.

 

[RichC]

I wait - in vain, doubtless - for a "manual" dSLR, a stripped-back camera that's the equivalent of the digital Leica M. Essentially, I want a Nikon F3 with a sensor and screen.

And no, the Nikon Df isn't it - not even close - being simply a styling exercise aimed at poseurs, not a working camera!

I make do with my Nikon D800E but I have no affinity for it (unlike the Leica M8 I once owned) - it's tool, a very expensive screwdriver!

 

[Darthfeeble]

I would love to actually "feel" composition rather than assemble a picture from various formats. I stumble and occasionally get something but only after I view it on the screen do I see the thing I should have felt at the beginning of the process.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I wait - in vain, doubtless - for a "manual" dSLR, a stripped-back camera that's the equivalent of the digital Leica M. Essentially, I want a Nikon F3 with a sensor and screen.

And no, the Nikon Df isn't it - not even close - being simply a styling exercise aimed at poseurs, not a working camera!

I make do with my Nikon D800E but I have no affinity for it (unlike the Leica M8 I once owned) - it's tool, a very expensive screwdriver!

Dear Rich,

It may be aimed at poseurs, but that doesn't stop real photographers from using it. You do need a few more dials and controls on a digicam than on film, after all. If you want a working camera, it's as close as you can get to a digi F3. If you don't want a working camera, keep on knocking it.

Cheers,

R.

 

[sevo]

Dear Rich,

It may be aimed at poseurs, but that doesn't stop real photographers from using it. You do need a few more dials and controls on a digicam than on film, after all. If you want a working camera, it's as close as you can get to a digi F3. If you don't want a working camera, keep on knocking it.

Many MF backs get away with no knob, some eight to ten buttons and a menu with less than two dozen entries (and most of them tether related), and rely on a film compatible body for the rest. So it seems possible to create more stripped-down solutions. But a "pure" press, studio, video, cine, wedding, travel and amateur camera would each have to be different - so makers would have to make a broader array of more specialized cameras, in smaller numbers and hence at a higher price. Which might be hard to sell against a market full of devices that do it all in one, at a lower price...

 

[Pfreddee]

More money. Correction, what is jokingly referred to as "disposable income". There are all kinds of weird and wonderful cameras out there that I would love to try out just for fun. I'm currently saving up for a Leica M (film) and lens. If I won the lottery, I'd have my very own camera museum, and tons of film.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)