The F295 symposia always have amazing speakers but this year’s has some which makes me really wish I could make it to Pittsburgh. The title for this 10th anniversary symposium, Photography Beyond Technique, is taken from Tom Persinger’s recent publication of the same name.
You can register here and the schedule of events is here. There are workshops running through the weekend too, although these usually fill up fast. I spoke there in 2008 and had an amazing time. At the very least you should buy the book…
Celebrating the Negative was first published in 1994 after Loengard had tracked down and photographed the negatives of some of the most famous images in photography, all held in the hands of either the photographer, printer or curator. I knew I should have bought when it was first issued but, for whatever reason, I never did. Probably because there was no PayPal or Amazon back then and we had to make our own amusement.
Last week I left Minneapolis’ snow and cold* to travel down to FotoFest in Houston for five days to meet with publishers, gallery owners, curators and collectors. I went to primarily show DARK MATTER (twenty gravures in a hand made portfolio case) but I also took a selection of platinum prints. This was my first portfolio review and I didn’t really know what to expect.
The organisers guarantee a minimum of sixteen reviews between Saturday and Tuesday and I was scheduled to meet with eighteen. Travel plans change and you may not necessarily get some of the reviewers you request, so they allow you to trade and fill empty review slots which meant that, when all was said and done, I finally got to meet and show my work to twenty one reviewers over the course of the four day session.
Open Portfolio Evening
On the Sunday evening all the photographers were invited to show their work during Open Portfolio. This is open to everyone; the public, the reviewers and the other participant photographers. I had two reviewers, who I wasn’t scheduled to see, ask me to find them the next day to show work – which is always a good sign. I had been allocated table space that was situated against a back wall and with two or three other photographers either side, so I couldn’t get out to look at everyone’s work without being fairly disruptive. Or more so than normal.
Overall the experience was great. There were proposals to purchase both the DARK MATTER portfolio and individual platinum prints, subject to acquisitions committees. There were offers of exhibitions and a workshop. There were connections and suggestions made. So now I have to follow up, act on their advice and keep that ball rolling and the plates spinning.
*Unfortunately I returned to more of Minneapolis’ snow and cold the next week…
