collaboration

this warm summer evening found me walking alone in the chelsea district of manhatten...earlier,i had arrived  at the Steven Kasher Gallery for the opening of "New York Genius" a show curated  by lou reed..he has chosen photographs of  his favorite musicians, actors, painters, dancers and writers....

i was not a new york genius by the way, because i walked into the gallery at 10 minutes after 6pm for an opening that was from 4-6pm....i could have sworn that invitation said 6-8pm, but i had lost that!!...but it turned out just perfect , i actually got to see the show.....alone....no distractions....just me and the pictures....photographs of artists miles davis, jack kerouac, and andy warhol photographed by artists dennis stock, burt glinn and elliott erwitt...there  were others too, but this is what i am remembering now...

so, i left the gallery, chatted for a short time with friends who were sitting at an outdoor cafe and then just started wandering.....thinking, thinking, thinking...sidewalk tables beckoned...perfect night...saturday night.....a guzillion choices...i chose walking and thinking, thinking....then i made a strange decision ..i caught a cab home...nobody goes home on purpose on saturday night!!  but,i just did....

two things were on my mind besides the pictures on the wall of such incredible talents in the arts...

first thing, my girlfriend..that sidewalk cafe where i chatted with friends was a place we had a burger one time...we cannot meet for this whole month...a month chock full of so much going on ...nick's photo fest, magnum openings all over town all the time, MOMA  reception,  my birthday and show...all things where you would want to share the experience  with your mate....but it is not to be...circumstantial....july seems far away....but, we have survived worse and we will survive this..

second thing, you guys....yes, this community....by the way, i hate the word "blog"....sounds like something you would not want to eat,  and if you did , it sounds like the way your stomach would feel after...can't we get that word changed??  who came up with that?? i guess it stands for something, but i do not know what...

anyway i am now here for you ....us...this community....this relationship....seems real because it is real...two or three of the responders  here are people i knew before, but the rest of you are new to me...it is kinda like the old "pen pal" thing only plural...but, i never had a "pen pal"...only real pals playing in the woods as a child , driving our cars too fast as teenagers, or talking pictures in college...so, i remain surprised  and pleased at this "relationship"..

my thinking tonight is on how we can collaborate.....carlos rubin came up with the "traveling camera" concept and we chewed on that idea for awhile...we are all waiting for carlos to come up with a plan!!  that is the deal with collaboration...whoever comes up with the idea has to spearhead the plan...we all help, but somebody has to be a focal point...then everyone collaborates to produce the final result...

 

so, here is my idea....

in the next few months i am going to try to raise some major funding....try to create "grants" or "stipends"  for you..maybe only five grants to start out ..to produce new bodies of work.....and with you in  control of this work during production and in layout...obviously, it will have to be the best of you, but hopefully it will inspire everyone to do their best...

the net will allow us to create a new way of working....to work "backwards" from the old way of producing intelligent photo essays....instead of starting with the "media" which then tries to appeal to an "audience"....we will start with the audience, which is you,  and create the media....

all of you together represent a pretty clear demographic....identifiable....you are mostly all young emerging photographers or young at heart emerging photographers..women and men...you are serious....i randomly check most of your websites when they exist....so, i can see who you are...i see the stats...and i know that most of you do not comment at all and the responders are just a small slice of the international crowd that shows up here everyday....an identifiable demographic is of course what traditional advertisers want more than anything.....but, i do not want to go that route....

i would rather create a non-profit fund, with a sophisticated board,  and have either photo industry corporations or generous funders or both contribute to something for which they could be proud and have their "brand" attached to something very worthwhile produced by the very demographic they want to reach....something with class and visibility  and something that allows young photographers to speak in a way they cannot now...

i did outline this briefly in the  "in flight magazines" piece, but i want you to know  i  am "on the case"....i want to turn the web  back into print....a  classy  book and exhibition which would showcase  new talent  and be  also the  sophisticated valuable venue for the  funders who made it all happen...and turn this venue into something where you could really display your work, including film and video artists..

so, it is up to you..and me....together, as collaborators, we  will decide our  own fate...the larger and more specific the audience, the more likely to get the funding for you to do your work....the more of you who stay loyal and the more newcomers  to this forum, the better chance this will all work..and you cannot or will not stay loyal unless i keep you here...one thing leads to the other....serendipity.....authenticity...

the community is already here....i will try to give you reasons to show up, and if any or all of this works, then you will have to make photographs which make all of this effort worthwhile....

your thoughts?

Comments

[Tomé Duarte]

this is very late for me... for thoughts... but to be completely honest the only though that strikes me right now is:

well i'm ready to "make photographs which make all of this effort worthwhile"!

;)

[J. Sinclair]

what a beautiful idea that can grow in so many important directions. Important to this new community that you are nurturing here… important to all of these talented photographers… artists really… who often work in their little vacuum bubbles.

Collaborative competition! Photography has such a rich history of groups and individuals helping each other, pushing to raise the bar and happily competing to clear that new height. I’m not sure of specifics at this hour but it sure feels like you and we have a chance to bring that history into this new technological age.

Thanks for helping to lead the way!
Jay

[Carlos Rubin]

Hi David,
it's late for me but I always read what you have to say...You've become a good friend, the best part is that it's not an "imaginary friend"...you're real and I really appreciate the time you put into this.

Regarding your comment "waitng for my plan for the traveling camera" ...I think I just did a few days ago (if you go to that section of the blog)...it's not a "master plan" but it was a beginning so please read it if you have a chance...I felt that I didn't reveived back a lot of enthusiasm so I have to confess that I just stopped thinking about it for a while.

Regarding your show, I wish I could make it...On June 16 I'm gonna give a little workshop about the Holga camera to a small group of 10 people and I don't think I can make it. I wish that I can buy the book somewhere very soon.

I hope to have the opportunity to participate in any idea you have in the future...obviously if my work meet the standard but all of your ideas sound really great and a big opportunity for anyone of us.

I now you'll have the best show in the world.

saludos.
Carlos Rubin

[david Wilson Burnham]

Happy Birthday David:

I sent you a birthday gift of a free subscription to an online magazine...

It is new and would love this philosophy!

[David]

carlos...

hey amigo, i was not being critical...and i did read your plan....certainly a good start....i am sure you know this from your ad business, that if you have an idea you just have to keep pushing it through..is that not right??

whatever we do and/or whatever combo of things we do will require lots of thinking and planning and finally action...

i am going to be crazy busy for the next two or three weeks..but towards the end of the month maybe we could have a phone chat...

main thing is, let's have some fun with this...having fun is not a bad thing...the most fun i have is in completing serious ideas...

abrazos, david

[Asher]

An inspired and inspiring idea, David. I certainly fall into the "young at heart emerging photographers", although my day job in medicine/science is supporting my self-assigned photography projects. I will pony up soon and post some photos; perhaps I've got game, perhaps not, but I'm having a blast shooting which is all that really matters.

Your "blog" is certainly deserving of a better handle. Perhaps that could be the first task for this community? "Homepage" is too ordinary. Perhaps something like "DAH Space" or "DAH Place" or "DAH Net". I'm sure the more creative minds here can come up with something way better.

Whatever you call it, I thank you for it and for your time, I enjoy reading it and I intend to hang around as a pen pal and contributor.

[David]

hey david burnham....

many thanks for both your beautiful handmade book and for putting me on to "almanac"...your little book is quite nice and with a real feeling of "being there"....i did not see all of "almanac", but i will go back...seems intelligent...

[Carlos Rubin]

Well...I can see the you never sleep...I guess that to have a show must be a lot of stress because all the details and things to do.

By the way...Happy Birthday to you...mine is on June 23rd so it must be pretty close to yours. I hope that if I don't make it to the show you'll keep us post it...my wife Arleen keeps telling me ...go...go even if you have to come back the next day...

Thanks for you comments.

un abrazo.
Carlos

[David]

asher...

i am always up for suggestions....i do not know if you were around when i started back in january....i just cobbled this thing together one night with my assistant marie and friend luis...i was amazed by how it "took off"..i have been planning a re-design for awhile, but end up writing so much, that it is now either re-design or write...so i am going for the content over design at the moment...i do all by myself and there is only so much time in the day..

but i was confused by your reference to "Homepage"...where or how do you see that????

[Asher]

David- sorry about the confusion. I was just brainstorming. I did not see "homepage" anywhere. It popped into my mind and I just typed freely... But as I said I'm sure others here could come up with a better handle for this terrific never ending party you've created.

I started hanging around here about 2 months ago and just kept coming back for more. The content is what really piques my interest. Design is important (have you read "Don't Make Me Think"?) but I think too much web design is bad- slows things down and gets in the way.

Thanks again,

Asher

[David]

carlos...

i can survive pretty well with 4-5 hrs of sleep...and i have learned to "sleep" for just a minute or two here and there...or sometimes a 10 minute siesta totally refreshes me...

arleen might be right....and your friend raul will be here, so , well, think about it.....

[Thomas White]

David,

Count me in.....you are part of one famous cooperative "Magnum" but in our 'wired' world the possibility exists of crossing the worlds physical obstacles and collaborating past rivers and over mountains...collaborating through all the barriers that separate people with a common passion...a universal cooperative.

I've got my plane and hotel...looking forward to see you at the show on the 14th.

Peace,
Thomas

[David McGowan]

It's short for "web log" and it is repulsive - I just call it my journal.

What's even worse (or better?) than cabbing home at midnight on a Saturday night is not even going out in the first place. But I have no choice—if I'm going to make that East coast swing, I have to scrounge every last dime I have for gas money, so it's no night life for a while.

Since making a financially unwise decision to leave Chicago and pursue self employment in Michigan (the worst economy in the States) I've seen nothing but a dwindling bank account and a lack of paying jobs. BUT I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT IT'S DONE FOR MY PHOTOGRAPHY! Somehow discouragement had become encouraging, and it makes me want to beat it by shooting, shooting, shooting, everything around me.

Today was one of those really discouraging days where I was ready to toss the whole idea of making this trip, right down to Michelle telling me the festival was sold out! To hell with that - I'm going, I'll find a ticket, it'll be just fine.

My photography has really been about documenting everything I'M doing, while attempting to be meticulous about the compositions. I know that the logical next step for me it to create more of an engaging narrative - a better story. Maybe this East Coast trip will be a good place to start.

Okay, sorry about the rambling - see what happens when I'm stuck at home on a Saturday night, nipping at a bottle of vodka?

[Shafqat Asif]

well...i dont know if i can "make all of this effort worthwhile" or not...but i will try...thats for sure.

[Aga Luczakowska]

I will write something at the evening when i will be back home.. i am in Warsaw...i am stil during very interesting weekend... i had portfolio review (i have revolution in my head :-)) and saw tons of albums (mostly Magnum's and also your Divided Soul!)

just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY.. and than i will write more :-)

[Siddhartha]

Hi David,
I am still desperately looking for some openings. Some kind of support so that I can devote myself to photography full time. To live independently.
I don't like doing anything else other than photography. I just live in my own bubble and in it everything has to do with photography.My eyes light up whenever I see a good photograph. I trawl the streets and ramble around looking for an oppurtunity to find something interesting to shoot. I am crazy perhaps. I am perhaps drifting away. I don't know. I don't have a stable enough income. I just dream that one day I'll make it..someday.
I might be living in a fool's paradise thinking like this. I just don't know. It's giving me sleepless nights.

I will always be grateful to you for reaching out to us. That too in such an easy manner. Making us feel comfortable interacting with you. Thanks again.

Warm regards and best wished,
Siddhartha

[Davis Archibald]

God, I love this idea. I being a young photographer would love nothing more than to be able to photograph things that matter without the worry of financial strain. Its amazing what this thing we call the internet can accomplish. I know that since I've started reading your "blog" or your "journal" or whatever you want to call it, I have been inspired. Thank you so much for helping me push myself. You are an asset to the photograhy community.

--Davis

[Stephen Turner]

Sounds like a great idea. The greatest feature of the internet, for me, is the ability to collaborate with people all over the world. And i'm doing this more and more, both in my work and in photography. It really sparks fresh ideas, and creates opportunities for people to develop and promote their work.

Podcasts, online galleries, magazines etc are all amazing platforms, but opening a beautifully crafted book or walking into a mind blowing exhibition......there is something special about that.

Looks like you want to present the best of both worlds....very excited.

[Ana Yturralde]

"then you will have to make photographs which make all of this effort worthwhile...."

Hi David!! Here you have another enthusiast soul to help you. Count on me and all my energy and attitude. And will start right today through my photographs.

Thank you!!

Ana

[robert]

your selfless:GOLDEN !!

[David Rocaberti]

You have nice ideas and the power to make them real. There are not so many people helping emerging photographers just for the pleasure of doing so. Only when they get benefit from that, they are receptive. As you wrote me once in that stolen magazine, keep dreaming! Go on with your non-profit fund, you'll do it great for sure.

Greetings

David Rocaberti

[Rafal Pruszynski (jinju)]

Im blown away by the contrast between your blog and the official Magnum one. You are one person and yet you manage to do your work and also run a big community. If I post something its a great chance you will answer me on the points I made. The Magnum blog, I posted a comment on one of the recent entries, just a general comment, and whoever runs that things hasnt even bothered to put it up yet. Its been 3 days, maybe 4. Keep it up David!

[Glenn]

Dude ,
I'm loveing it!
Go you good thing!
Carn the Crows!
(get your Aussie Neighbor to transate)
C U next month!

[David]

siddartha

please send me a web link where i can easily see your 30 best photographs on a theme or concentrated effort of some kind...or just your best pictures...i know we exchanged messages on "lightstalkers" i think...right??

you sound a little perplexed, so let me give you a fast review to at least let you know where you stand....if you can send this quickly i can do it today..otherwise it is going to take a week or so....just because of my travels....

[David]

asher...

ok...thanks..."at home with dah" was a "handle" i grabbed from my workshop at home which i had done a few weeks before...i came up with that approx. 30 secs before the student slide show featuring their 8 days of intense shooting..."at home with..." just popped into my head and seemed like "me"...i am open for new ideas....

and forever wrestling with the one "forum" vs. the four "forums" i have now...i personally like the four..but, every once in awhile someone will mention my site and tell me they have been on it for months and i suddenly realize they only know about one of the forums..."road trips" is the default blog and many readers never get past this first section..

[David]

thomas and david...

i will see both of you soonest...

aga

you said you had a "revolution in your head"...tell me?? i would like to see more of your religion work...i liked the Jesus figure in the back of the car picture...but i do not think i saw everything...

[David]

davis and stephen....

i think i have not seen posts from you before, but welcome....i am rushing this morning (and every morning!!) so no time to look at links, but i will try to do so soonest..new energy, new ideas....terrific

[David]

tome...

i went to your site...very very interesting...i had not seen it before....again, a quick look , but i will come back...

[David]

david...

giving works...one big circle of life...

thanks amigo

[Aga Luczakowska]

David.. i am still in Warsaw but i have few minutes so i am looking again at you journal and comments :-) (it's definately an addiction ;-))

I will change my webiste soon and let you know so you will see my old/new pictures

I had a pleasure to talk with Witold Krassowski about my pictures and pictures from WPP exhibition... i realized my pictures are going to much in "new" kind of photography...

also i had possibility to see many albums (tons of them!) :-)

[David]

rafal...

your point is well taken...

the only mitigating circumstance for the magnum staff in new york right now is that they are so overworked with the magnum 60th festival you cannot imagine...

with our 60th anniv. we have i think 90 events in new york this month...there are shows everyday..seminars etc etc..overwhelming for our small staff really...

the whole staff has had to do their normal job and then do additional work for this month's peculiarity...so, maybe the blog is not receiving enough attention at the moment..

and there will be times that for me when it will be difficult to respond also...now, i happen to be doing all of my work from home,so a little time here is a pleasant break from what i am really supposed to be doing!!!!

be patient, i will make sure your comments are received and answered on the magnum site....

[Asher]

David- before I stick my foot/keyboard in my mouth yet another time (I do this on a daily basis!)- I love your site the way it is. I think it's fantastic how you personally respond to comments, given what must be incredible demands on your time. You are a true e-mentor and I am a fan/disciple!

Asher

[Siddhartha]

Dear David,

I know I am goin through a wierd phase at this moment and quite perplexed! Yes, we did exchange some emails following up on the lighstalker's message I had sent you. You even had a look at some of the photographs I posted on this site called Trekearth. :)

I haven't yet got much uploaded on the web. I am afraid they don't follow any particular theme.

I am leaving the link here to those posted photographs.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/sidstakes/photos/

Hope it works. I'll be only too grateful if you take your time out and let me know what I should do!
Thanks again!

Regards,
Siddhartha

[Paul]

David
I feel i have the ability somewhere to be a good photographer. I don't know if you've looked at my site. I guess it's mainly landscape but there's some street stuff too. I think I mentioned to you before about how I would like to get closer to people in my work. Again like many people I would love the chance to devote all my time to this but at the moment I'm working 6/7 day weeks!
Anyway a fast review would be much appreciated

Cheers

[Mike Berube]

David I think this is an awesome idea. I think the more this community builds as well the more ideas we will all generate all together to make this work for everyone who is serious. I am excited and looking forward to see the outcome. I am glad to be a part of this…

[David]

siddartha and paul...

i will take a look and reply in private messages to your e-mails...

[David]

incidentally...when i look at work , i am looking for cohesion, sensitivity, overall aesthetic and sense of purpose...

subject matter is not so important...i like landscapes and still life as much as people and moments...i work with people, but that is not a pre-requisite or a "bar" for when i look at someone else's work....

work in any area, on a "high level" is what i appreciate....

[Rod Tuach]

Hello David - as a photographer in the "young of heart" class I read with interest your journal. Maybe I can add to the collaboration project as things progress. Greetings from Ireland.

[Martin]

When I look at others works I always looking for person, someone behind camera. I appreciate professionalism, however look for the personality. But I don’t have to judge anyone…

David, I hope your plan will be realized. I don’t know how can I help, but if you need it I’m just behind corner.

Martin

[Mark J Davis]

Recently I’ve been searching for grants to fund a large project that I want to do on street musicians. Nomads and drifters, one man bands, undiscovered geniuses and forgotten blues legends. I’ve always believed that the essence of art is to lift the human spirit and I am letting that phrase guide my project. A portrait of passion. I want to capture the optimism, the beauty, the struggles, the rewards. In a way it parallels my own story and struggles. An artist coming of age, both in the images, and behind them. And it’s frustrating as I look for funding. I feel like I could make so little go so far. But it seems like nobody is willing to make that investment. I’m a risk. Unproven.
But what about what is in my heart. Doesn’t that count for anything? Doesn’t that balance the lack of accomplishment. What is to be said of potential?
I believe in potential. I’m betting my life on it. On what I could become if I am only given the chance.
That’s the great thing about this idea, is that it is based on potential and someone very qualified to spot that potential. We are all waves building up and building up, and at some point that wave begins to curl. That’s what this is all about, is finding the photographers who a ready to crest. Photographers who with a little help will reach new levels.
That being said I am not staking my project on a grant. This story is too important not to be told. A few months assisting and a supply of ramen noodles.......Either way, this story will be told.

[Chris Hinkle]

This is not a comment about the above post, per se, but this blog as a whole...I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the time and effort you put into it...its great! I'm one of the "stats" that checks in often to see what's new, what advice you have, and to see the photos, of course. Thanks!

Chris

PS If you (or anyone else reading this comment) had 5 days in or around Mexico City, where would you spend it photographically?

[Carlos Manuel]

An idea like this is quite an opportunity to any person who wants to see his/her efforts materialized… but not only that…
honestly I don’t see myself publishing a serious project yet… I only go to shoot the subjects that I like the most…
but to see this process in others can be very helpful for me to organize my ideas… there are many things I would like to do and maybe poor focus to concentrate the energy…
the whole path from the selection of the projects, until the publication will be very inspiring… you can count on me for anything I can contribute…
cheers,

[Carlos Rubin]

Hola David,
I went to the PowerHouse Arena website last night....pretty interesting place....and biiggggg! The "opening night" is by invitation only or it's open to public?.... When I go to NY I always stay at Broadway....is Broadway far from your show?...I don't know yet if I can make it but I want to try (If I find a break from my work)

saludos.
Carlos

[David Ryder]

Wow, what an idea. I am in, of course!

[Rene Braun]

Hello David,

I would like to add to the kudo's already posted. Your presence here feels almost as too good to be true. I certainly appreciate all your effort, not to mention the great pics you post (especially in this last post).

Count me in for this endeavor. I'm not exactly sure what the next step is but I would like to participate.

[Carlos Rubin]

David,
if you have a chance visit this link
http://chacharapr.blogspot.com/

I bet you have been here....The guy in the picture is my Dad...I have hundreds of pictures like this....the place....I know you'll know.

saludos.
Carlos

[Chase Allgood]

David,
This whole community is amazing. As young photographer working a weekly paper job I find it heartening to see this king of support from people like yourself who are the ones that made me want to take up this lifestyle in the first place. I find it really difficult to start and maintain any sort of a long term documentary project, and just reading that you are working on this project to facilitate this kind of work is really inspiring.

[Edgard Marques]

Man, that's great. I just can't wait to see where it's going to take us -- yes, cause i don't mind if my work will be one of the chosen once it's going to be exciting enough being part of the whole process. Try it, live it, make it worth. Cheers again, David.

[Michael Kircher]

David,

This is just what I think I need. Too long I've been coasting. Time to seriously stretch. Whether successful or not, time will tell. Can't wait to try. Looking forward to it all.

Thanks.

[Sofia Quintas]

I'm in!