Well, I was in, then I backed out and now I am back in--maybe. Each October, Northwest Houston Photo Club has what is called a Portfolio Challenge, although this year the name was changed to Portfolio Review. By either name it is a worthwhile thing to do.
Members that wish to participate put together a portfolio of anywhere from eight to fifteen prints on a theme--well that is right up my alley because I am always shooting in themes--some for as long as fifty or sixty years. The club invites a number of people with various expertice in the photographic community to come in to review/critique the portfolios. These will generally include professional photographers, photographic educators, gallery owners, curators, graphic designers. Each participant gets a one on one with the reviewers, actually three separate reviewers. Since the reviewers come from various interests the reviews are generally well rounded. It is a great educational experience. I have been promoting the Portfolio Review all year on the club web site--and then I backed out because I knew that Paul and I were going to get together in October and I was concerned that the two would conflict. Turns out that it doesn't so today I completed processing the photographs for the portfolio and sent them off to Mpix. Ordered the mats from David Blick and in a week or so will have the portfolio ready. Now if only someone will drop out so that I can grab a space I am in business. Even if I don't get the opportunity for the review I will be able to exhibit my portfolio at the open house that we have a couple of days before the actual review meeting.
Last years portfolio was Table for One where I photographed in restaurants when I ate out alone. Before that I photographed all the containers of junk in my very ill kept garage in Forensic Evidence Found in the Containers of a Past Life, and the year before was Totems where I photographed light poles on parking lots and related them to the Northwest Coast Indian totem poles. So people expect me to be a little off the wall and I don't think that I am going to disappoint them this year. I am doing Dust Unto Dust, A Visual Exploration into the Experience of Dying--right up my alley. It consists of eight close ups of dead fish. Had a great time writing the artist statement, something that I enjoy almost as much as doing the photographs.
If anyone would care to come to the open house, drop me a PM and I will send the details. Just promise me one thing--you won't tell me that my photographs stink. LOL
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