Pancakes
This weekend I was up in Carmel at a workshop at the Center for Photographic Art, attending a workshop led by David Gardner and Chris Pichler. Gardner is a master printer (think Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, etc.) and Pichler is the publisher of Nazraeli Press (think John Divola, Todd Hido, etc.). The workshop was on publishing the photo book, and I learned about it on Mary Virginia Swanson’s blog (here).
Beyond making some friends (check out Charity Vargas), the real benefit for me was in getting to show my work to both David and Chris, as well as the larger group, and getting such a positive reception. I thought I was on the right track with my In Store series, but when you’re just showing your work to your family and friends, it’s hard to feel like you’ve gotten an objective assessment. Hearing everyone respond to my work was kind of wild—sort of like the first time you see your name on Conscientious. (“Hey, that’s me they’re talking about!” Freaky.)
I think the most important thing I got out of the weekend was the understanding that I should trust my own instincts. It’s always nice to get some outside recognition, but when it comes to validation of my work, only one person matters, and that’s me.
Meanwhile, I’ve been shooting up a storm—a storm of pancakes. Damon Bishop, my sister Cara’s boyfriend, is sponsoring the first International Pancake Film Festival in their Chicago apartment in a week or two, and he’s asked me to supply photographs of pancakes to be used as the background of the title cards in the DVD, which will include all the short pancake films that their friends have entered in the festival. (Damon is a master DVD maker. I think Rump Shakin’ is my favorite of his.) So I leave you with photos of pancakes. Yum! (Except for the blueberry ones—just looking at them makes me want to puke. I like mine straight up, with pure maple syrup. None of that fruit and whipped-cream bullshit.)
Beyond making some friends (check out Charity Vargas), the real benefit for me was in getting to show my work to both David and Chris, as well as the larger group, and getting such a positive reception. I thought I was on the right track with my In Store series, but when you’re just showing your work to your family and friends, it’s hard to feel like you’ve gotten an objective assessment. Hearing everyone respond to my work was kind of wild—sort of like the first time you see your name on Conscientious. (“Hey, that’s me they’re talking about!” Freaky.)
I think the most important thing I got out of the weekend was the understanding that I should trust my own instincts. It’s always nice to get some outside recognition, but when it comes to validation of my work, only one person matters, and that’s me.
Meanwhile, I’ve been shooting up a storm—a storm of pancakes. Damon Bishop, my sister Cara’s boyfriend, is sponsoring the first International Pancake Film Festival in their Chicago apartment in a week or two, and he’s asked me to supply photographs of pancakes to be used as the background of the title cards in the DVD, which will include all the short pancake films that their friends have entered in the festival. (Damon is a master DVD maker. I think Rump Shakin’ is my favorite of his.) So I leave you with photos of pancakes. Yum! (Except for the blueberry ones—just looking at them makes me want to puke. I like mine straight up, with pure maple syrup. None of that fruit and whipped-cream bullshit.)
Copyright © 2007 Liz Kuball
Copyright © 2007 Liz Kuball
Copyright © 2007 Liz Kuball
Copyright © 2007 Liz Kuball
Copyright © 2007 Liz Kuball
Copyright © 2007 Liz Kuball
Labels: Ansel Adams, books, Charity Vargas, Chris Pichler, David Gardner, education, Edward Weston, family, John Divola, Jörg Colberg, Mary Virginia Swanson, portfolio reviews, Todd Hido, workshops
posted by Liz at 8:34 AM
4 Comments:
that sounds like an amazing workshop! jealous! thanks for the charity link- beautiful work.
Hi Liz,
I can understand absolutely what you wrote about showing your work to others and get it reviewed. It's great to hear comments about your photography and getting tips what you could do or not. Showing it to friends and family is one thing, showing it to other profis is another thing. But as you wrote the most important person is yourself when it comes to validation of your work. I also have to learn this lesson and trust myself with what I think about my work.
I like your pancake shots!!
Best, Michael
Some of the hottest photo blogs agree that the key to being a gifted shooter is the ability to make one's peace with blueberries
Jennifer, yeah, it was a great workshop. Charity is well on her way to having a book published, as far as I'm concerned. She made some great contacts and I think the odds are in her favor.
Thanks, Michael! And thanks for the note on the pancake shots. :)
Shelly, if the key is making peace with blueberries, I'm screwed.
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