Archive for April, 2005
Last weekend was spent by the sea - near Southwold, enjoying a weekend of photography. The weather wasn’t great photographically as it was hazy most of the time, but warm. We did all the classics - photographed the beach huts at Southwold - and why did I manage to park the car at the other end of the beach to the beach huts I really wanted to photograph? We then headed into Aldeburgh looking for quirky shots on the beach involving fishing boats and rusty bits of boats - found none. We went to see the House in the Clouds, and the boating lake - in fact I got my best shots whilst waiting for fluffy to use the conveniences.
I also seemed to spend a lot of time in the pub - our excuse being it was too bright to shoot (yes really) around midday. And it meant I was in for an hilarious afternoon, as the other two attempted to be serious about their photography, but after two pints of Adnams were seeing the funny side of life.
I’ll be posting the resulting photographs here soon.
April 29th, 2005
I have been mulling over in my head whether or not I should be doing more Art shows, than Craft Shows. I think this change has been prompted more by my move into an Artist’s Studio, and the fact I now have access to more information on Art’s Shows than ever before. Including all the local ones. Either that or it is a serious hint from the Universe to head in this direction.
I was reading an article about Colin Prior the other day, and he commented that there was very little commissioned work around for landscape photographers largely due to so much imagery being available free online. I felt really sad when I read that, but then I thought change creates other opportunities too. And I for one am finding more people receptive to Photography as an Art form.
Now from a standing start I seem to have a number of Contemporary Art Fairs or Affordable Art Fairs willing to accept photographic images - providing it seems that I don’t price my work at the same level as original artists. And I assume they mean the artists that are genuinely producing one offs.
Time will tell as to whether any of the fairs actually accept my work, and then whether it sells!
April 28th, 2005
Just back from a hazy Suffolk, after a weekend away with fellow photographers – Fluffy and Silver rinse. Not their real names obviously, but the banter between us would have probably made a decent script for a sitcom. You just had to be there!
I came back to a ton of emails, and one was from a student doing a degree in photography. I get a few of these, and because they ask general questions it can be hard to answer their questions in a helpful way.
For example this person contacted me saying “Is there any advice you can give me on how to get started, how to get funding, and where to go to get people interested in your work?
Any information and advice you could provide on starting out on my career would be very much appreciated.”
OK fair question, but I have no idea if she’s into Landscape Photography or not. She may favour Portrait Photography for all I know, and frankly the advice I would give would be considerably different. I spoke with another person last week who wanted to do work experience with me – she picked me out of the Yellow Pages because I was in her home town, even though Outdoor photography was not her preferred specialism.
What to say eh? Well to be honest my advice was to just get stuck in. Depending on her preferred specialism I suggested she create a Website – as I did, study Marketing techniques as much as Photographic technique and keep trying different things. In fact I probably spend as much time on Marketing as I do on my Photography. I haven’t found a perfect strategy yet - wish I had!
April 27th, 2005
The latest edition of my monthly ezine - Visual Words was issued to day, and includes the first part of an article about the use of photographic images as Feng Shui cures. You can read it here, but to sign up for future editions you will need to subscribe.
I decided to research an article on this subject after moving into a new studio space, and wanting to know more about to improve the energy in my new space. Well not there is anything wrong with it as it stands, but hey you always want to make improvements don’t you?!
April 12th, 2005
Well I’m back from a hectic few days at the British Craft Trade Show in Harrogate, where I was exhibiting my range of prints and cards to buyers with some success. I’m now contemplating whether I try one of the bigger Trade shows and reduce the number of consumer shows I’m doing, as there seems to be a trend towards people buying unique and original gifts from shops, although I dare say that shop owners think everyone is buying online.
My next show takes place this weekend at Capel Manor in Enfield - they have a craft marquee as part of their Spring Gardening Show. I’ve not exhibited at this particular show, although the venue is not new to me, I just hope that the weather is kind to us!
Still it is great to do the shows if only for the people watching and to hear nice things about my work and answer people’s questions. That is what after all it is all about.
April 6th, 2005
