good idea??

ok, i might have a good idea....but, i will leave it up to you to decide right here and now...

it is based on the premise that all of us on this forum are struggling with how best to showcase your work...yes, we do a lot of talking and there is some brilliant writing here always, but why not really "show our photographic hand" in the most provocative way...

this idea also does not conflict at all with my own photographic work which will flow right along with yours...that has always been the potential danger of this forum, that either i would "lose" myself to you by sacrificing my work to on-line time,  or you would get lost in the same way by not shooting because you were spending too much time here.....i think this idea solves both potential problems...it should also ramp up creative vibes for all..

so, here is my idea:

i give out short assignments or projects....on an individual basis .....maybe i choose two or three photographers per week or per month or whatever...at the end of the week or month (we can decide) each photographer presents this work right here for us all to see and critique...

for example, i ask Erica if she has time to shoot 5 portraits of people  next week that somehow reflect the election process in the U.S.; i suggest to Glenn that he give us whatever he can on a "ringer" bar life; find out if Katia can follow just one of her "lost" teenagers for a few days to see a parent; have Rafal do something very special with his wife and new son; see if Marcin can photograph his wife with her work; make Panos stay in one place for a week, like Venice Beach, and do self-portraits either literally or figuratively....

these are just examples, perhaps not viable ones, but i think you get the idea...and the photographer would either agree or modify or choose not to do it or whatever...but each assigned photographer would go out for several days, personal time permitting,  and do something as per announced to this group in advance..sure, the pressure would really be "on" because we would all be waiting and, more pressure still, we would all know the intent of the photographer in advance.......anybody up for this??

we would all be doing  this  just as an excercise...no dinero for any of us...an all volunteer army....my fund for emerging photographers is growing, but i want to figure out the best way to distribute these funds among the photographers who are members of this forum...this seems like a great way for you to get to know each other better and for me to see you produce in a relatively short period of time..but quantity of pictures would never be the yardstick...one truly fine photograph is always enough..

in the coming weeks i will be selecting members of my jury of peers to help me select future photographers to be funded here by EPF....this will be a way for all of us to get to know you  better and in a realistic way...this is not a contest...there will be no "winner"... ..all of you will see all of the work just as it is presented by the photographer...the only burden will be on the photographer personally....

any photographer who thinks i do not know their work can send me a web link....since i would only assign perhaps two or three photographers  at a time, i would have plenty of time to see incoming new links, as would all of you as well...

i can feel it in my bones already that some of you may suggest the old tried and true notion of giving everyone the same assignment...this is always a nice little "game" but does not really tell a curator or an editor what you can really do with a subject that really "fits" you individually... my inclination is not to go for the "group assignment" concept...

when the time comes for me to be  able to give funded projects here and also continue an annual Emerging Photographer grant , all of us  will have a very good idea of the "pool of resources" from which jurors chose...various details will need to be worked out later...now i just want to get your opinions on the basic concept...

i think this sounds like fun....i would want it to be fun for you...otherwise there is no point to do it at all....i cannot see any downside to it, but maybe you do...i will only go forward with a full fledged mandate from you....

please let me know....good idea??

Comments

[Panos Skoulidas]

Man, you are BRILLIANT...

[wrobertangell]

that sounds great David, sounds like a lot of fun. put me down on that roster!

[Alex Reshuan]

So here is the post :-)
I think It is a great Idea for us . I just hope it isn't huge work load for you David

[Alex Reshuan]

PANOS self-portraits first PLEEEEEASE !!!
This will lots of fun indeed.

[Rafal Pruszynski]

Sounds awesome David....very interesting. What strikes me here is how you sort of put your finger on what we should be doing. I would see this not as an assignment but as a suggestion or a guide from an outsider where we might need to go with our personal projects. Sort of like a mentor would tell you: "you arent dinf too badly but maybe we need to see more of this or that in your project". Sometimes we need these inputs to find new directions in what we are doing.

P.S. Its a son:)

Anyway, Im off to Shanghai with my wife over the weekend.

[Panos Skoulidas]

.... i feel like i'm going back in TIME...
NOTICE THAT I POSTED my comment 24 hours ago...

Comments

Man, you are BRILLIANT...

Posted by: Panos Skoulidas | April 30, 2008 at 01:31 AM....

April 30th... last night...
I was afraid that David took the post out...
but i was wrong....
i need to add though....
that HIS idea makes this already ALIVE blog... even MORE ALIVE...
God damn David...
YOU ARE THE MAN.... thank you for letting us into your world...
and WHAT A WORLD...!!!!!!!

[David Ryder]

yessir! good idea. we'll see who can stand the heat (i will be sweatin).

do we get to suggest story ideas or only you?

one upside to there being no funds this time...there's no tax on bragging rights

[Herve]

Brilliant? What's brilliant about 3 glasses of Vodka !?!:-))))

I was afraid to see my name in that paragraph, David, I'm game, David, but in no hurry!!!

Seriously, I doubt few are not up to it, an offer we can't refuse....

I suggest a couple e-mails between you and photographer, to refine the assignment or change it, in case the member does not see it as so personal(ized) as you thought it could be.

Also, you have to be one of the assignees too. Yes, yes, yes! if too difficult for us to assign in group, as we are so many, you get to choose the member who will give you the assignment.

[Panos Skoulidas]

ALEX... did you notice, that David, didn't modify, change or refined anything... he kept it real, he keeps it real....
Always ahead of the game... any game...

I was just checking David Mc Gowan's Look3 video from last year...
DAH...ON THE FLOOR... looking up...
I don't know why... but i'm still staring at his SHOES...
His shoes look so "experienced, travelled around,..."

... even his fucking shoes have more stories to say than all the travels i've ever done in my life...
I feel so lucky all of a sudden...

DOES ANYBODY ELSE IN HERE FEELS AS HAPPY AS I DO ??????

[Panos Skoulidas]

sorry... i meant to say "LUCKY", instead of "happy"...
but... "happy" is just as good....

...why didn't i discover HIS blog... let's say 20 years ago ??????

[Rafal Pruszynski]

Im feeling happy....going to Shanghai:) Never been there.
Anyway, its spring and for the first time ever I sort of feel that im actually going in a direction...and Im really interested in any guidance David might have to refine my direction.

[David McGowan]

I'm down.

Cheers to Panos and happiness!!

[Ross Nolly]

David;
Great idea. By giving everyone different assignments it will be like a mini workshop. I think you know the strengths and weaknesses of most people here & will be able to give assignments that will stretch them.

The critiques will be valuable for every other member too, and I'm sure will be inspirational for them.

Take care everyone

[Herve]

David Mc Gowan, thanks for the look 3 video, really gets us inside. I was hoping for a shot of David dancing to the rythm of the William Allard band, but as Panos found out, he was in a squatting mood! ;-)

[Panos Skoulidas]

ROSS NAILED IT:

"...The critiques will be valuable for every other member too,..."

THAT'S EXACTLY IT... but not "mini".. workshop...
i would say "MEGA"...

http://www.humanfiles.com/slideshows/look3_07/publish_to_web/look3_07.htm

again... people click above... amazing movie.... and check on DAH's shoes...

"This boots (shoes) are meant for walking...!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnjUIclFUWY&feature=related

[mike]

What a great idea! Sounds like a hell of a lot of fun... of course I'd be up for participating... this is going to be interesting!!

[mike]

Yes, Panos... happy and lucky.

[wrobertangell]

was this post automatically triggered to appear at a pre-arranged place and at a specific time,
or is David lurking in the shadows, watching, waiting ready to pounce, like a Bengal Tiger.

[Alex Reshuan]

PANOS, I noticed. nothing changed. Except for one thing: he was going to send you to Venice Beach ! Ah.
I think David needs some stronger coffee .Lets say Cuban coffee.
BTW I am HAPPY ..........and Lucky....... and curious .Full of yearning.

[Ross Nolly]

Panos;
Considering how many people use (& discretely watch) this site, you're right about the mega!!!

[Panos Skoulidas]

MIKE,
it was great to hear your voice... in L.A..

I can't wait for the 100th post in your blog... and to see what you've seen in L.A..
and yes... you still owe me that SILVER PRINT...

WROBERTANGELL...
Bengal Tiger indeed...

ALEX...
If HE is still sending me to VENICE BEACH...!??
guess who i'm gonna "require" as an assistant...!!!

HERVE... you're absolutely right... about David McG's video...podcast...
I feel like i was there...AWESOME...
I watched 5 times already...

[audrey bardou]

Hello,
I think that everybody on this forum will find your grand project! I'm new here and I don't still too much dare to write but I think that it will allow us in all to advance a workshop by Web... I like your idea ! But I'm afraid that it gives you a lot of work...
Kind regards,
Audrey

[Herve]

Audrey, strong and humane work with your grandPa, about his wish to die in dignity, and you being there. Too many words from me already, so:

http://gallery.mac.com/audreybardou#100277&bgcolor=white&view=mosaic&sel=0

[Panos Skoulidas]

AUDREY...hi...
nice blog... iCat and ibook

iCat est une petite série photographique sur l’amour de mes chats pour les Mac !

funny...

[Panos Skoulidas]

HERVE...
you totally miss France... dont'ya...?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLxTpsIVzzo

[audrey bardou]

Thank you, I like ibook as title!! Thank you Panos! I go can be reappointed my column portfolio...
Audrey

[Ana Yturralde]

Oh yes, David! Such a good idea! A way to put us into movement with a given assignment, to share, to learn from other's opinions, to know each other's work better... I'm going back to Africa soon but I can do it here or there, so please... count on me for this thing!!

hmm by the way, are there already dates for submitting the work done in 2008 for the Emerging Photographers Fund? Did I miss it?

Peace, Love and Photography!!

[Jason Hobbs]

hi david,

YES, YES, YES, YES, YES........I'M IN. i think this is a great idea. lets get going as soon as we can.

i hope everyone is well and happy.
take care,

Jason

[Phil Brown]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I think half the problem I, and possibly other, aspiring photographers have is generating your own 'assignments' is really difficult. If you are given an assignment you would think of nothing other than getting it done. If you're thinking up your own you can't help but allow all manner of doubts and potential problems to crowd your mind to prevent you from following the idea through. But as an 'aspiring professional' you don't get given the assignments and they do have to be self-generated. So, speaking for myself, to have some direction and a deadline would be invaluable.

[Harry]

Sounds like a grand idea.

[Jean-Sébastien Bréault]

Very very very good idea. I'm volonteer. I'd like so much to participate. I'm in.

[Beatrix]

David!! Excellent idea!! As usual!! Count me in!

Thanks for being such an inspiration!!

beatrix

[Jarle Kavli Jørgensen]

hey David and All,
Yess, i'm also happy!!
this assignment and exercise sounds great. Sign me up, please!!
will be great to see the rest of your's images, and be able to comment and get comments. like mentioned before, think this will benefit us all. cant want for this challenge...

cheers,
jarle :)

[bobblack]

yes, great idea david indeed! great idea, im in. of course.

have to run, no time, no time for a few days :))...

cheers
bob

[bobblack]

ps. JUST DONT FUCKING FORGET YOUR OWN(!!!!) PROJECT DAVID ALAN HARVEY...

off for a few days...yes, photo related...

[Michael Kircher]

Wonderful! I love the idea.

Looking forward to "My Own Personal DAH Assigned Project."

[Ryan K Sharif]

Awesome idea...
Panos sent me the email this morning and I have to say this is a great way to get people active and see who really is |a photographer| and who is |full of hot-air|

I also like the idea of maybe keeping the assignment a secret until the person has done the work rather than David assign it and then everyone expect whats coming up. Maybe a tease David would be cool.

I obviously am not a regular member here so I don't expect an assignment, but I am so excited to see work from Rafa, Kathy and Panos in particular. معسلامة بوستيس!

[Velibor Bozovic]

David,

I can't tell if it is a good idea or not, only the time will tell, as the process unfolds... But, for sure, it is an interesting idea...

[Mark]

Hey David,

Sounds like a great idea. I'd love the challenge.

Larry Towell was in Rochester for his "Front Porch" work on Sunday and I mentioned that you and I had met. He said, "Harvey, huh?" and smiled.

[Sam Harris]

Dynamo Dave!

Sounds like a great idea to me.

Now I have to really put my skates on to get some work
on-line...

all the best

Sam

[Bj A. Patino]

great, great, great, david :-) i'm game for this. and i really appreciate your considering even those you don't know photographically. can't wait to see what people will come up with

bj

[marcin luczkowski]

good idea...

[Pete Marovich]

Great Idea!

But since I am getting married in 24 days, have a full time job, and will be in Rome and Naples for my honeymoon for 10 days, followed by your workshop and the Look3 festival, I may have to pass for a while.

But, if later in the year you would like to drop one on me, I would welcome the opportunity to be critiqued by the group here.

[erica mcdonald]

It must be good because it scares me..but of course, yes, a thousand times...

David, today is Thursday, will call to see if you are around this afternoon or anytime tomorrow..

Still trying to read the MEM posts, such a generative light is this forum..

[douglas titus]

DAH Please wander over to my neck of the web and take a look
www.douglastitus.com

[Neil]

Good idea.

My work tends to the serendipitous, so not sure how it'd fit for me, but I'm up for a challenge. Once my kit dries out from last night of course.

The concept looks sound to me. I like seeing the photos that come off this forum and I'd look forward to seeing what gets produced each week or so.

[Joan Gummels]

Love the idea, and am game to participate (though I'm certain you are not familiar with my work).

David McGowan, thanks for that slideshow of Look3 -- I'm even more excited to be going this year now.

Rafal, congratulations!

Joan

[Eric Espinosa]

DAVID,

This is a brilliant idea and, like all others above, I would love to be assigned a project as well. I particularly like the concept of having this very short period of time to do an essay. As a matter of fact, I always face that challenge given my day work so I always feel I have to produce an essay during 2-3 week-ends or the constraint of a week of vacation time like I just did in Antigua. Bottom line, count me in, more than ever, but I may ask you if you decide to assign me a project to give me some heads up on when the time might be (no need to share the subject in advance) so that I can plan taking time off from work during these few days.....

Thanks for always coming up with such great ideas to further build this community and get us all out there shooting.

Cheers,

Eric

[Kelly Lynn James]

I think like Erica. It has to be good because anything that excites you and scares the pants off you at the same time is inevitably good.

[cathy scholl]

DAVID,

Another great gesture from our fearless leader.
I'm IN for whatever you decide....
Definitely agree there is no need for money.

I do have a suggestion/comment though, a slight "tweak"... Since the point is to get us out shooting it would be great if everyone doesn't have to wait their turn to get their assignment, if there were some way the assignments could all be handed out AT ONCE and then collected and shown over time (or MOST of them at least-I'm guessing you will continue to be asked to give out assignments over time) This would mean that some people would have much longer to shoot than the ones whose work is shown immediately but it would give everyone something to do while waiting. Some get work shown quickly, others have to wait to have work shown but have longer to shoot.

What do you think?