How to collect photography

Simplistic? Not really, when you consider all the different kinds of photography available and the availability of digital cameras. There are things to consider, such as where to find a photo that you want to hang on your walls, how is it made and why collect photos. Here are just a few ideas to help you select your next photo at an art show or gallery.

First, why do people buy art? The interior decorator in you says that it goes with the color scheme and theme of a room. It's pretty and you like the subject matter. I've had customers purchase Bike at Antique Store just cause they are collecting bike art.

In my living room, I have a few of my photos hanging and some watercolors, but they are all in barn board frames that my husband made. It's the unifying theme of our casual room. The photos in the living room look like watercolors with filters and layers that I used to create the effect.

Maybe you are buying a piece of art because the price is right and you have a bare space on your wall. The price of a photo is usually lower than the price of an original painting.

Why choose a photo over a painting? Photos don't last as long, but as stated before, are usually less expensive. Photos can come in all sizes. While a painting, unless you are purchasing a reproduction, comes in only one size. Ask the photographer if you don't see the size you want. Most are accommodating and want to make a sale.

A photo captures a moment. If you're a sports fan, you can really appreciate this. Many purchase travel photos, which offer a realistic depicture of life in another country. Architectural images give the viewer a clean, modern look to hang on their walls.

Where should you look to find a high quality photo for your collection? The fact that there are more photographers than ever out there makes some think that photography is easy and it lowers its value. The fact is, good photography is hard to find because there is so much photography out there.

Sites like Flikr have added to the confusion. When you put two photos together how do you decide which one is best? I teach my students that a good photo tells a story, creates an emotion or is technically excellent. This is for the beginner and gives them a benchmark that they need to help them grow.

More advanced photographers, those who have mastered the technical aspects and know how to communicate with their images, are moving toward conceptual photography. The photo illustrates an idea. These photos are less likely to be seen at an art show where people move from booth to booth and more often at a gallery where the concept is explained.

Your best bet for finding good photography is at juried art shows or galleries. As more photographers emerge wishing to sell their photos, the competition to find a spot in a high-quality art show or gallery gets tougher. By going to these places to find photos for your home or business, you know that the work has been screened by other artists or art collectors. They decided that the work exhibited at the show is high quality.

What is high quality? Is it presented in a professional manner: matted or framed, signed by the artist, limited editions? Ask the photographer how the prints are made. How long will the prints last? Are the prints mounted and framed with archival materials?

As I said at the beginning, this isn't a simple subject. And as I funnel down to a point with this article, it all really comes down to emotions. How does the photo make you feel?

Window to Wisconsin Photos - Coming and Going

Just a few updates:

Today is the last day for the CoPA exhibit. Looking for something to do on another rainy Saturday? The exhibit is open from noon - 5 p.m. today. Second floor above VP Gallery.

I'm also part of Westside Art Walk at Art & Soul Gallery, which is going on today. Click here for the pdf download of participating galleries. Maybe I'll see you there.

I'm part of the Ladies Night show at the Purloin Studio and Gallery, Menomonee Falls. Above is the card I designed for the event. The gallery is small, but we'll fit you in somewhere if you want to come. Artists in various media, food and vendors from the area will be there. It's right before Mother's Day so it's a good time to find something for yourself or a mom.

May Art Crawl in Menomonee Falls will be Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23. I will be exhibiting at the Purloin and at Bank of Memories and Flowers.

So May is going to be busy. Exhibits, preparing for art shows, students and more. If you buy a photo and say that you read this blog, I will give you 10% off of your purchase.

Miksang philosophy of photography provides another route to explore

While moving around the Internet, I found an interesting article related to Miksang, a meditation philosophy. Sometimes seeing isn't about you. It's about being receptive to your environment. There are compositions around you every day in the most mundane places. Are you open to seeing them?

This article explores that philosophy with a photographer/teacher of miksang. http://shambhalatimes.org/2009/04/20/i-am-miksang_maxine_sidran/

At the end of the article, you will find a link to her Flikr site. I really enjoy her abstracts and have found myself shooting photos that are similar. It's not about the subject; it's about the color and composition. It's one of the reasons Saul Leiter's work resonates with me.

My assignment for myself today will be to go out and make myself open to finding photos like this.

CoPA Exhibit Improves Every Year

So what did you think?
Did you get to the Dye building to see the exhibit?
If not, it's still available for viewing. By appointment or for one last day this Saturday.
I thought it was a great show. I won't pick out any specific exhibitors except myself. No one else was showing anything similar to my abstract architectural images.

So I like this new direction. It just feels right. I've always loved architecture, and it ties in with my graphic design background too. As my mother pointed out to me, even my nature photos contain geometric shapes. She was talking about BW Dahlia, which I gave her because she saw it at a show and admired it. This print was also the image mailed off to Texas yesterday for the Flower Power show.

Has anyone else been looking at the black and white Spider Awards? Some great photos there and I don't always agree with the judges decisions, but I enjoy seeing past submissions. Do all good architectural photos need to be so dark and moody?

Well, I guess it all goes back to what is a good photo? Something I talk about in my beginning photography class. Does it tell a story, create an emotion, use interesting techniques? What are you trying to communicate as a photographer. I think sometimes people forget that with their images.

CoPA Show Displays Work of 90 Photographers

This week I've been part of the group setting up the member show for CoPA. I admire the dedication and organization of Geri Laehn and Jill Moore. Geri, who has been there running the event, handled a barrage of questions from eager CoPA members. Things were running smoothly as more members showed up to hang their photos.

By the time I left yesterday afternoon, only 25 members needed to hang their work. The process was ably handled by a small crew of members who had obviously done this before. You can feel the excitement. There is some beautiful work here, and if you like photography, have studied photography, you will want to see this show.

"This is the biggest show ever," said Geri. At least 90 photographers are displaying photos of nature, stilllifes, architectural, street, conceptual and collage. These photographers come from all over southeastern Wisconsin and are obviously dedicated to their craft.

See the posting previously for details on location and times. The show opens Friday night for Gallery Night and Day and is open for one week, a change from previous shows.

To become a CoPA member, you can sign up on the Web site or at the event. If you become a member, you will be able to

• participate in this show next year,
• hear speakers such as Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photojournalist, who spoke at the last meeting on Tuesday. He presented slides of 9/11, which has a few members in tears, photos from North Korea and Nicaragua;
• bring your portfolio in for reviews casually and professionally;
• and really grow as a photographer.
  

It has helped me get organized and grow. You will develop new friendships and many more opportunities. It's not your typical camera club.

Milwaukee Gallery Night Attracts Many April 17

Don't Miss It! I will be exhibiting in two places: ART & SOUL GALLERY, Vliet St. and
the 4TH ANNUAL COPA MEMBERS EXHIBITION
April 17 opening reception coincides with the Historic Third Ward Gallery Night.
Show runs through April 25.
P.H. Dye House
320 E. Buffalo St., 2nd floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Dozens of talented local photographers will be exhibiting, included 4 of my own: Abstract B, Abstract M, Mother Nature and Stairs.

Fri., April 17: 4-9 pm (artist reception)
Sat., April 18: 11 am-9 pm
Sun., April 19: Noon - 5 pm
Sat., April 25: Noon-5 pm

Flower Power Exhibition

I just received word that one of my favorite images, BW Dahlia, was juried into the Flower Power Exhibition at the Watson Studio Gallery, Johnson City, TX, near Austin. I learned about this contest through a posting on the CoPA Web site.

Congrats to fellow photographer Linda Merkel who was also juried into the show. We are the only representatives from Wisconsin.

Here is the link if you wish to see the images: http://watsonstudiogallery.com/exhibitions/flower/

Photo Contest

In case you haven't heard about this contest, the Center for Photography, Madison, a very active photo organization, is having a photo contest called Small Town Midwest. It will be judged by Ida Wyman, who began her career as a photojournalist in New York City during WWII. I looked up her information on the Web and there are many sites out there with her black and white street portraits. Many of the reviewers said the same thing, her portraits represent her subjects in a sensitive and caring manner.

I plan to submit, but I haven't decided yet which photos to present. Maybe I'll see something this weekend while visiting a small town. Up to 3 are permitted, and you have until May 1, 2009 to enter. What are you going to enter? To download the propectus, go to www.cpmad.org.

Hangin' @ the Art Garage

After I hung my Wisconsin photos at the art garage, I went to Door County for an overnight since I was so close. The ice is off the lake on the Bailey's Harbor side, but still on the lake on the bay side. Almost everything is closed.

The concierge at the hotel where I stayed said that even for Door County, this is an inbetween time of year. The lack of snow keeps snow bunnies away, and the lack of warmth keeps bike riders away. Some snow was still on the ground in the forests, but mostly the ground was brown.

What's a photographer to do with these conditions? The light was cloudy most of the time. I went to Cana Island, one of my favorite places, and it was so windy, I couldn't use my long lens. In the morning, the sun was out so I went to Cave Point County Park. It's also one of my favorite places. I love the textures of the rocks all over Door County. It's so different from the rest of the state.

I haven't even uploaded my photos yet to see if I found anything special. Do you have any special places in Door County? Write and let me know.