the boards.ie photography exhibition wild plan I had

Calina · 18-10-2007 1:38pm #1

I was thinking more about this today.

I have set up a flickr group called boards exhibition. I was going to suggest that anyone who was interested could sign up and submit one photograph to the group and that we might use this pool as a demo idea of what kind of photographs are covered by the group. Someone suggested that local authorities occasionally have funding for this sort of thing and I think it might be possible to write a reasonable proposal to the arts officers perhaps to highlight the social and community building aspects of loose groupings like these.

One thing I would insist on is that each person interest only submits ONE photograph. One only. I'll leave it around as an idea for a few weeks while I start drafting funding requests and also identify potential locations and targets of this.

If you're not on flickr but are on pix.ie let me know and I'll see about making a tag. I don't think groups are set up there yet. What I could subsequently do if pictures are split across the two sites is host the final full selection on one of my own sites of which I have more than one anyway.

Paulw · 18-10-2007 1:55pm

Sounds like a very interesting plan.

But, maybe you should pick a topic - landscape, wildlife, people or something, otherwise, due to the very diverse nature of the photography here, you could have a very very mixed set of photos. A theme might be better.

WexfordMusings · 18-10-2007 2:09pm

Nice idea. I agree that having set themes would also be good.

City-Exile · 18-10-2007 2:10pm

Calina has her parachute-skateboarding-on-water thingy, I have the football, you have the rugby, Paulw, and others have gigs etc. Would having a specific theme reduce the chance of certain people being able to display what they believe to be their best work?

WexfordMusings · 18-10-2007 2:12pm

You see, this is how a good idea gets hard to organise - lol.

Paulw · 18-10-2007 2:14pm

I have what??? LOL. Yeah, right.

You could see some people on here have stunning work, in their specific area - Danny and his wildlife, city-exile and sport (soccer mostly), calina and kite-surfing, Julie and macro, etc etc.

This place is just full of really brilliant talent, there's no doubt about that at all. But, I do think some theme might just glue the exhibition together, rather than just a collection of boards photographs.

City-Exile · 18-10-2007 2:15pm

Come back to us when you have a theme, Paulw.

Covey · 18-10-2007 2:20pm

I'd be for diversity and no set theme myself.

Great idea.

I'd be one of those on Pixie and not on Flickr also.

Why not set up a user on Pixie (if Marcus agrees) and we PM you on Boards for the password to upload a shot?

T.

Valentia · 18-10-2007 2:26pm

Covey wrote: »

I'd be for diversity and no set theme myself.

There we have it!! The theme is: Diversity.

Third_Echelon · 18-10-2007 2:31pm

Sounds like a good idea, but for this type of thing, I think a certain theme might be a bit restrictive... As mentioned, everyone has their own certain area that they are interested in, and that's what makes good pictures on this forum...

If perhaps there could be a theme that is pretty generic that could span across all these areas then that might work.... But coming up with that theme is another thing

Covey · 18-10-2007 2:38pm

Valentia wrote: »

There we have it!! The theme is: Diversity.

Busy at work over there?

Rojo · 18-10-2007 2:47pm

I think a theme would be great... even better if people go out and take a photo for the exhib because it'd be fresh!

City-Exile · 18-10-2007 2:58pm

The exhibition could be "Boards Eye View" (boards.ie view) & the theme could be anything linked to this forum. A picture taken on a boards meet, a pitcure inspired by advice from other forum members or even a picture taken of forum members.

magicbastarder · 18-10-2007 3:01pm

how about a picture which must feature a picture taken by another boards member somewhere in the frame?
the possibilities for infinite regress would be great.

DeVore · 18-10-2007 3:09pm

Love the idea, I'd like to do a showcase of the talent here ideally. So here are several easy ideas (I think).

1. Lots of different themes and let people put more then one photo up (why limit it to one photo each and miss out on a lot of great photos!)

2. One set for each user and let them display their best work.

3. Move the monthly Challenges there and widen the voting on it to all of boards.

I would love to do a physical exhibition too but I dont know anywhere that would allow us to and thats a lot more work!

For any costs in any of the above, Boards will pick up the tab.

DeV.

Paulw · 18-10-2007 3:12pm

I think the idea of one photo per person is good. Maybe a max of 2 but no more. There are so many photographers on here, and a limited exhibition would be needed.

Valentia · 18-10-2007 3:13pm

Covey wrote: »

Busy at work over there?

What?? You mean you have the time to read and not contribute? Shame!!!

Nevyn · 18-10-2007 3:14pm

Get in touch with the dublin city libraries and the county coucil ones they often will have such exhibitions what will move from branch to branch or get in touch with the http://www.draiocht.ie/ or http://www.thisisnotashop.com/

Calina · 18-10-2007 3:16pm

I am up to my eyes this afternoon so sorry for the slight delay.

I want to make it absolutely clear that I have a deep and principled objection to the idea of applying a theme to this exhibition. When I say deep and principled objection, I mean to the extent of abandoning the project altogether if the balance of preference is for a theme.

Ultimately, I wanted to highlight the diversity of styles and subjects covered by this. You'll notice that in the first post I referred to the community building. That community didn't get built because we all took the same photographs. It got built because we opened each other's eyes to a wealth of different styles and talents. I want the photographs to come from anywhere within each photographer's archive. I don't want the choice to be limited by any concept other than what you personally consider to be your best photograph or the photograph you particularly want to exhibit. Applying a theme - in my opinion - is an artifical construct and is exclusive rather than exclusive.

I have no objection to calling the exhibition "Boards Eye View" (great title C-E). I have massive objections to providing a framework on choice so in terms of making it linked to this board in some way...I really don't think it's a good idea.

Apart from People's Exhibition, to my knowledge, we haven't tried to organise this before. I'd like it to be simple, particularly if I'm doing the bulk of the work here. I have a lot on my shoulders, but I also feel that this is something which could be very interesting for all participants. Whilst it may be a comfort to some people to have a theme to work to, it may have the impact of causing others to feel they do not quite fit in. That, in fact, is exactly how I felt when I saw Paulw's response, for example.

Rojo: it is not practical to tell people to do a particular photograph for this exhibition. Given the large number of people potentially involved, and given their lives, it would be kinder to tell them to go through their archive and select one. Not everyone gets what they want in a given time frame. I'd be saddened, for example, if Danny's shots from Valentia were excluded because the theme was shoot for exhibition. He may not choose those photographs anyway, but I'd like him to have the option.

magicbastarder: you're losing the run of yourself into the area of digital art somewhere plus there is the question of copyrights and derivative works. Currently only one of my photographs is released for derivative works. I don't intend to change that and I wouldn't consider it the point of this exhibition to force others to do so. Again, it's an artificial construct which limits people's ability to show off the full scale of their ability and chosen field.

In summary then: no theme. Absolutely no theme.

Regarding photographs to be submitted to either the flickr group or pix.ie tag/userid which ever we go for, it does not have to be a final choice per se. This may take months to sort out and people are constantly improving, changing their opinion on their shots. The idea is to have something to show the people who might - and I really mean might - be able to give us funding. Mounting exhibitions can be prohibitively expensive and we don't have space of our own. We will need help to do it and an indication of what we have to offer is what I have in mind here.

Calina · 18-10-2007 3:24pm

DeVore wrote: »

Love the idea, I'd like to do a showcase of the talent here ideally. So here are several easy ideas (I think).

1. Lots of different themes and let people put more then one photo up (why limit it to one photo each and miss out on a lot of great photos!)

2. One set for each user and let them display their best work.

3. Move the monthly Challenges there and widen the voting on it to all of boards.

I would love to do a physical exhibition too but I dont know anywhere that would allow us to and thats a lot more work!

For any costs in any of the above, Boards will pick up the tab.

DeV.

DeV,

I've only just seen this. Firstly, thanks for contributing to the thread.

In part this was inspired because my local camera club has been exhibiting with their local authority and I had thrown the idea into the air a few months ago, had the interest but not the time to bring it further (I'd been thinking about Christmas).

What you're suggesting I think is an online exhibition space beyond the current disparate selection of pictures hosted on people's own accounts? I like that idea as well.

The one picture limit was issued from the point of view of trying to compile a physical exhibition and my original plans involved the Dublin local authorities, the Cork ones and the Waterford ones and maybe also Galway because there are large numbers of boardsies in those areas.

If people are interested in DeV's idea, then I can maybe look into that in the shorter term if Fajitas and elven are happy enough to let it go that way (where are you guys today btw?).

Hugh_C · 18-10-2007 4:24pm

Calina wrote: »

I want to make it absolutely clear that I have a deep and principled objection to the idea of applying a theme to this exhibition.

Calina I'm completely with you on this. Themes are restrictive and exclusive (or non-inclusive).

If my best picture is of my Auntie Mai's lilies and the theme is narcissism in the 19th century the I'm outta luck. Similarly if Elven's best picture is of shoes and the theme is bog-snorkeling ...

Maybe you should lash up a poll ...

Thirdfox · 18-10-2007 4:26pm

I would be interested in this too...

Fenster · 18-10-2007 4:32pm

I'd chip in from this end of the pond. IR a go go!

trishw78 · 18-10-2007 4:36pm

I was only think about this on Saturday night at the Germany game. It really was that boring.

I think the NO Theme idea is good as each person submits a picture we'll find that the theme or theme's will develop by themselves.

(Not sure that makes sense)

I like the idea of doing a physical Exhibition It would be nice to see what some of our work looks like blown up.

Here's another idea to throw in if we do a physical exhibition would people be also interested in selling their work. It could either (a) fund the exhibition or (b) fund their obession.

Just another idea.

Covey · 18-10-2007 4:36pm

hughchal wrote: »

If my best picture is of my Auntie Mai's lilies and the theme is narcissism in the 19th century the I'm outta luck.

You should have taken the daffodils.;)

trishw78 · 18-10-2007 4:45pm

mmm... just read the VAT thread maybe selling prints might give us a headache we don't need

City-Exile · 18-10-2007 4:58pm

trishw78 wrote: »

mmm... just read the VAT thread maybe selling prints might give us a headache we don't need

No it won't.
Advice from the Revenue was that I should keep a record of any income from photography & any related expenses. At the end of the year, my additional income would be calculated. Given the relatively low amounts involved, I shouldn't have to pay much extra tax.

The key thing was NOT to charge VAT on any pictures that I sell!

Muineach · 18-10-2007 5:22pm

or do what the church/museums do, have a "contribution" box :P with a big sign on it with the prices

yep I'm definetly gonna burn for some of this.....

m_stan · 18-10-2007 6:11pm

nice idea. agree with no themes. however, flickr group linky no worky

Calina · 18-10-2007 6:19pm

non aliased link. wonder what happened there cos it were working this afternoon when I set it up.

rahtkennades · 18-10-2007 7:39pm

Great idea! I'll join in if nobody minds. Fourth/fifthed? on no theme though, if you want to show the wide range of styles people here have.

18-10-2007 7:48pm

I think just one central exhibition in Dublin would be the best.The other areas just wouldn't have enough photographers to make it interesting.We would get a lot more diversity if we kept them all together.But yeah great idea,just added mine to the group.All black and white so far!

elven · 18-10-2007 9:25pm

I don't get to come on when I'm at work these days so I'm slightly less active :mad:

Calina, I'm happy to contribute in any way I can with this, in terms of organising or whatnot. People's Photography is hard work enough but the sense of satisfaction is very well worth it.

Also, another vote for absolutely no theme. We're too much of a diversified bunch to bring in limits like that, and trying to fit a theme will deny us the chance to use what we believe is truly our best image... if it wasn't flowers/plants, I'd be screwed :rolleyes: (or maybe shoes as hugh said!)

Depending on the number of entrants, it may be nice to up it to two images each if at all possible. If we chose a standard mounting/framing method then we could all go to one supplier, and possibly negotiate a better rate as a group - then our individual price for framing would be more affordable.

Given that we find a venue, and negotiate such a rate for framing, I would be concerned about the participant side of things - there would be a limit to the amount of pictures and so, the amount of entrants - and we all know how eager people are to sign up for these things then when it comes time to put your money where your mouth is, all of a sudden the numbers fall off. Some organising along the lines of a paypal account or something to pay for the framing upfront would encourage genuine applicants, I'd say. What's the concensus on that?

Oh and "Board's Eye View" is an amazingly good name

DeVore · 18-10-2007 9:36pm

Calina... no no, I wouldnt want to curb your obvious enthusiasm for this idea and you clearly have a defined idea of what you want to do and I applaud that! I was throwing those suggestions in in case you didnt know where to go with the details etc.

Given the explanation of what you have in mind I can see the reasons for the way you want to go with it. I'd love to be involved (read: submit a picture and smile a big dumb smile when its all sorted out... I simply wont have time for anything else with Santa Strike Force coming up). And I'm pretty sure that we can meet any sundry costs though right now I can't see what they'd be.

So, in recap, GREAT, good on ya, if I can help let me know and certainly if/when its all go we'll advertise it accross boards to drive visitors to it!

DeV.

Thirdfox · 18-10-2007 9:43pm

Oh, I had thought this would be just online - when it comes to actual costs I'm not so good... (being a student without a job is not ideal when it comes to money

)

I will give you guys moral support though

Valentia · 18-10-2007 9:57pm

Julie's idea of clubbing together and getting stuff framed and mounted is a very good one.

I would tend to be very optimistic about venues agreeing to exhibit our stuff. I know the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan would be open to the idea but would need to plan it well ahead, like six to 10 months. I can't see that as a problem though as there are so many venues all over the place now that the exhibition could tour the country for a couple of years.

What we need is an angle. Some catchy way of selling it. Social networking is the buzz in the media at the moment. The idea of the fruits of this networking leading to a high class photographic exhibition touring the land is definitely something that the arts columns and programmes like The View" would be very likely to run with.

Yes fierce potential me thinks. The hardest part would be the initial organising. Once that is done it's just a matter of convincing the venues (selling) and keeping an eye on the diary, making sure the stuff is transported and hung properly. I'd imagine that sales of prints would very likely result too.

It's important to give ourselves a realistic time frame and not go headlong into this. Sounds like the kind of thing that could do with a good discussion over a few pints...................

nilhg · 18-10-2007 10:16pm

I think this is a great idea, both the online gallery and the physical exhibition. I agree with having no theme, just the shot that each participant considers their best.

I was thinking about the exhibition and an idea occured to me, could we exploit the digital nature of the whole thing and perhaps try to bring it to highly public areas as a type of slideshow. As an possible example somebody like samsung or sony might dedicate a high quality display in a couple of shops to play a loop of our pictures, something similar could be done even if there was an exhibition of prints in a confined space.

Just an idea I thought might be worth throwing out for people to think about.

Calina · 18-10-2007 10:20pm

I was giving myself six months or so from start to opening exhibition between identifying potential candidates to target for support. I particularly wanted to highlight how this grew from nothing out of social networking.

I can't see it coming to fruition before Christmas, DeV, I'd be surprised if many people even had to think about this before then anyway.

It sounds to me like this is a go-er. What I'll do over the next couple of weeks is a little bit of research into who I need to talk to, possible spaces, etc. In the meantime, I'd appreciate it if people could start thinking of one picture to go into the online pitch too so that if and when I go out to people who might be interested, I can say to them "look here; this is what I am talking about. This is the community we've got, and this is the work they are coming up with".

The main central cost is going to be exhibition space. I think thebaz was looking into this for his own project and it was fairly hefty. The other obvious cost is the mounting side of things. I'm with elven on standardising this and for my own interests I want to be talking A3 sized images at the very least if there's a consensus on that.

I'd like to keep the costs to a minimum beyond that. I realise that we have more than a few students and to be honest I wouldn't like to see people excluded purely on financial grounds either. For now, there's going to have to be some research done.

Paulw · 18-10-2007 10:50pm

I do think a standard print is best - same print company, same mounts etc. I've now added my submission to the group.

It is always good to keep costs down, and as for poor students - come on, we were all there at one stage. Almost every student has enough money for a few pints, so you can take a week or so off drinking and use that money for this.

This is a brilliant idea, and I think it will work. Some companies may even help sponsor - Canon, Nikon etc. I'm sure the press would also publicise the event. The idea of see one print from so many different people and such a diverse community will be great.

thebaz · 18-10-2007 10:53pm

Calina wrote: »

I can't see it coming to fruition before Christmas, DeV, I'd be surprised if many people even had to think about this before then anyway.

.

i plan to have my thing before Christmas all going well, i'm doing it on the cheap, in spraoi hopefully , so if it goes to plan i'll gladly offer any advice i can on stumbling blocks , etc, and general issues to look out for -- oh and i'd like to contribute 1 too , if poss

RoryW · 18-10-2007 10:59pm

Valentia wrote: »

There we have it!! The theme is: Diversity.

Baz could have an exhibition by himself with that theme with all his B&W photos of Dublin people

Thirdfox · 18-10-2007 11:00pm

Paulw wrote: »

I do think a standard print is best - same print company, same mounts etc. I've now added my submission to the group.

It is always good to keep costs down, and as for poor students - come on, we were all there at one stage. Almost every student has enough money for a few pints, so you can take a week or so off drinking and use that money for this.

This is a brilliant idea, and I think it will work. Some companies may even help sponsor - Canon, Nikon etc. I'm sure the press would also publicise the event. The idea of see one print from so many different people and such a diverse community will be great.

Lol - teetotaller here

(not exactly living up to the stereotypical image of a student - you should see the pic I entered into the Times photo comp

)

I'll see what the price is before making any decisions... don't have a credit card either (they charge E40 government duty on those!!! That's 2 weeks of food

)

Hugh_C · 18-10-2007 11:16pm

Valentia wrote: »

and hung properly...

Terrible thing to be improperly hung...

coughs/splutters into tea ...

miju · 18-10-2007 11:21pm

Calina, I have no experience in organising something like this but I 100% pledge my support to helping you in any way I can. So if you have an idea of jobs that need to be done (but someone with no experience in organising an exhbition) keep me in mind and send me a PM

Muineach · 18-10-2007 11:21pm

BTW I'm all for it, but I think I need a few things cleared up.
Questions 1&2 a simple yes/no answer just to see where people are thinking

1) Is the idea to go and show what people from here photo ? yes/no

2) Is the idea then to try and sell the photo's from the exhibition/or leave cards etc. to sell later on ? yes/no

3) How much would a rough cost of on A3 photo in a frame that would be used for the exhibition ? roughly, I'm without a clue on what they cost

Thanks
Muineach

Calina · 18-10-2007 11:25pm

Muineach wrote: »

BTW I'm all for it, but I think I need a few things cleared up.
Questions 1&2 a simple yes/no answer just to see where people are thinking

1) Is the idea to go and show what people from here photo ? yes/no

2) Is the idea then to try and sell the photo's from the exhibition/or leave cards etc. to sell later on ? yes/no

3) How much would a rough cost of on A3 photo in a frame that would be used for the exhibition ? roughly, I'm without a clue on what they cost

Thanks
Muineach

1. the idea is to show what people from here photograph and to get as many other people to come and look as possible.

2. it'd be a nice bonus to sell stuff but from the experience of People's Photography and my own Dollymount exhibition I wouldn't bet the house on it happening.

4) I don't know the framing cost to be honest. The print depends on who does your printing.

Calina · 18-10-2007 11:26pm

hughchal wrote: »

Terrible thing to be improperly hung...

coughs/splutters into tea ...

been improperly hung, have you?

Hugh_C · 18-10-2007 11:29pm

Calina wrote: »

The other obvious cost is the mounting side of things. I'm with elven on standardising this and for my own interests I want to be talking A3 sized images at the very least if there's a consensus on that.

Does that mean we're restricted to a particular format? I dunno wht A3 is in real life (quick dash to wikipedia) - it's 297 × 420 so are we restricted to stuff that's composed for 4:3 roughly?

Some of my preferred stuff would be closer to the Golden Ratio (1618:1000 or roughly 5:3).

Also A3 is pretty big, so will look less good if originating from a lower resolution camera, which may affect some of the folks in here.

Muineach · 18-10-2007 11:30pm

Calina wrote: »

1. the idea is to show what people from here photograph and to get as many other people to come and look as possible.

2. it'd be a nice bonus to sell stuff but from the experience of People's Photography and my own Dollymount exhibition I wouldn't bet the house on it happening.

4) I don't know the framing cost to be honest. The print depends on who does your printing.

Thanks Calina, I just wasn't sure if the idea was to try and sell stuff, fine by me either way

RoryW · 18-10-2007 11:57pm

[QUOTE=Thirdfox;54232429don't have a credit card either (they charge E40 government duty on those!!! That's 2 weeks of food

)[/QUOTE]

from memory ulster bank have a deal where if you spend so much on the card they effectively rebate money to you and it pays the 40 euros

RoryW · 19-10-2007 12:01am

Calina wrote: »

I was thinking more about this today.

I have set up a flickr group called boards exhibition.

when i click on the link it says page not found

the boards.ie photography exhibition wild plan I had

How many Prints will be submitted? 4 votes

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