about five minutes ago i had to make a "tough call"….i made the decision not to name the stipend recipient today as was originally planned…i am so sorry to disappoint those who have probably been anxiously waiting for the final results…but in my desire to make my self imposed "deadline" of december 15, i was running the risk of rushing the edit….i just flat out need some more time…..here’s why…
looking quickly at the 250 "portfolios" overall is amazingly easy, but once inside each of your folders and looking closely, i have a much more challenging job than i originally thought…or, even thought yesterday!! first of all, less than half of you put in the metadata any kind of information on the essays at all…i was spending way too much time just trying to analyze the content of many stories….in some cases, there was not a clear breakdown from one story to the next, if there were multiple stories….i may send a few private emails to some of you requesting more info….and with about 8 exceptions, most of you need a serious edit…i think maybe there were only 3 or 4 of you who had a 20 picture cohesive essay…most could be cut …and i have no problem in doing this……i love to do this……but, it will require some thoughtful time consuming work and contemplation…
i would rather "catch a little flak" right now for being late with my decisions, rather than think i committed "rush to publish"….one of the "sins" of our craft….
picking the one recipient of the grant can be done fairly easily…this is not the problem, nor even the point….i am down to a healthy handful…if i had to, i could make that decision right this minute…but, this photographer is only part of the equation…in a way, the smallest part….because what is impressive is the whole body of the best of your work which will be edited down to a nice tight collection…..i will probably publish online about 6-10 of the finest essays….and perhaps 30-40 singles….this number could come down when i see the whole package…the worst "look" would be if i run too many pictures….
i will tell you right now there is some interesting variety in your work…a very nice combo of color and black & white and of straight documentary and more subjective interpretation…in most cases, "bearing witness" to a subject, but with a very broad interpretation of narrative…and i am so so pleased about this…there will be many different "styles" in our final show….
now my schedule during the upcoming holidays is like everybody’s schedule during the holidays…do we not all somehow need to be everywhere at once???….in any case, i am off to Paris tomorrow for a Magnum board meeting and then on thursday to see my family in Colorado…home cooking…yes, apple pie….to be realistic (a word i rarely use!), i think the best thing is to make the announcement the first week in january…with the work of the stipend recipient and the chosen best of everyone else all viewed together on the new website being constructed specifically to display your work….
many of you have been with me through the whole thinking process of this forum…it is, and always has been, a "work in progress"….i do apologize for the delay, but i do hope you will appreciate this extra time as time spent making sure i "got it right"….
i will continue looking at comments here and in the previous two or three postings….to answer any questions and just to keep up our usual musings….for me , this was a tough call tonight….i anguished over making it…..but now , it feels better just to have "cleared the deck" and done it….how about you?? is it easy for you to make "tough calls" or do you dwell on decisions you do not want to make??
Don’t worry. We’re not going anywhere. Do what you have to do.
Enjoy the crazy all-over-the-place Holiday you’ve got ahead of you! Hope to see you in DC sometime after the new year. I’ll be in touch.
Thanks for everything! You rock!
I for one can support this decision, and am really looking forward to seeing all of these projects. Good on you for putting quality first. Lord knows there is no way to rush it.
David: :))
Just walked in from a lovely, snow=wind strewn walk with Mrs. B, about to watch Tarkovsky’s “Ivan’s childhood” (since our trip to Buffalo was canceled due to storm)…funny, each time i log in, it seems like’ you’ve just posted (unless it’s a contest, and then im very late ;)) )….
anyway, just these words amigo: Do not rush anything. Your neck and heart is on the line and you need to do whatever is best for you and for this project. I often thought: damn, that boy’s nuts!!!, such a deadline, $donation, all pics, etc…I am happy you are being kind now to yourself…you deserve some time for rest and digestion and breathing and yea, damn right, fresh pie ! :))
I personally am not on pins and needles, ’cause my only hope is to see the essays together and the work that this project drummed up: that’s my jazz and drug: to see it come to life together….
dont anquish, but now that the awarding of $$ is absolutely the least significant part of this thing for many of us: its the idea the work has been looked at by you and others then it was tunneled and swallowed and will be shared…that is what matters…
dont anquish, take a break and be safe in London and colorado and when you return let us know and and the rest is a bloom :)))
as for tough calls: no, i dont anguish, ’cause we never know the outcome and because the outcome (any and all) lead to a place that it build upon richness and decision….there aint not right or wrong calls, only calls, and each of those point to somewhere that will lead to another call….
for me it’s like that first time i jumped (not dove) off the highboard in the public pool: i thought, ok, fuck it, it is what it is…and then splash….and now: can’t get me off ;))))…had i broken a bone, i’d have probably gone a different direction, like been a rabid hockey fan ;)))…(not offensive intent to hockey fans)…
get rest and have a great flight :))
hugs :))
running to watch a flick
bob
i think take your time is key. its got to be a tall order going through so much work, in a way i don’t envy that task, although it would fun to see all that work. double edge. i always had the sense though that there would be something very honest in the analysis of our work. things being looked at fairly. it would be interesting to see your approach. do you move pretty quick through photosets until something stops you or do you take your time with each shot looking at the layers and depth, also curios if anybody else has seen the work, or are you taking it on solo.
anyway, seems like the 15th came along way to quick.
tough calls, for me that translates into good decisions/bad decisions. shit i am trying to think what tough calls i have made lately. none. that would seem to be the answer. I think all the stress in my life is all in my head.
There have not been many days between returning from the workshop and this. Just chill and give it time. Maybe some of them ferment given some time, as wine, that’s always good example. I would love to see the variety of topics. Even stats. I wouldn’t mind stats based on a population of 250 shooters.
For starters, you gave us a very healthy extension to shoot..in every sense you should have all the time you want to see your baby through..
Tough calls..my body does all the talking, I just need to listen and do as I’m told :)
If you have 250 portfolios down to a healthy handful you should be able to make a decision after a good nights sleep. Leaving 250 photographers hanging until the first week in January is going to be tough on them. None are going to complain ofcourse. But, really, how much time are you going to spend on six or eight portfolios over the next three weeks? You don’t have to do your “publish” edit. Deadlines are important in our business. A day or two late on the announcement’s no big deal, but three weeks?
I think tough calls are for chance decisions, where you do not possess all the elements of the answers for all possible options. Like roulette russe or who carries a camera at all time ;-).
Most decisions involving unknowns, we make one way because we simply do not wish to deal with the consequences of the other choices (especially when others are involved). In your case, I think you realized that even being able to make the call, you just wouldn’t be happy with a process based on swiftness of decision.
I also think that the next couple of weeks are a time of the year where many emotions come to play, possibly running deeper than usual, and may provide perhaps a different angle, less cognitive, in approaching some of the essays submitted.
This way, between us 250 and you, a silent, but potent communion is operating, from the sharing of all these images, which changes them from submissions into companions, if nagging little ones!, of your Xmas season.
First of all, thank you David for the opportunity and for all the energy you are putting into this incredible and creative project. Photography has become more and more important to me every day that passes by…I must say that this forum and the assignment has truly changed my life! Thanks for that!
I agree with someone that said that we learn from you not only to become good photographers but also better human beings!! And that’s priceless :)
Quality is always first!! Take all the time you need, enjoy your holidays and I’m looking forward to hearing your comments and constructive feedback on our work!
PD making “tough calls” is always difficult, but deep inside you always know which path to take… walking it is another different issue…
I used to be a dweller. Not anymore. Besides, there are two of us making the big decisions and we have two dependents. It actually makes the decision process easier. On both family and personal matters.
David, good clear thinking on your part, as you would say :))
Sometimes it is important to “don’t just do something, stand there.” And i do think presenting this incredible collaboration as a polished whole, with announcement, is infinitely better. Enjoy the holidays :))
A teacher of mine in India insisted that the peace we feel after attaining something we want (same can be said about making a tough decision) has nothing to do with the “achievement” and everything to do with no longer having to think about it….Decision made. Enjoy the pie…but first a few croissants please!
I am relieved for you and for all 250 of us. I couldn’t imagine how on earth you would be able to edit all this work so quickly. Too much to do… It is really a gift to us that you WANT to take the time to really examine the submissions. A lesser man would just want to “get it over with” and I thank you for caring so much that you want to look closer. We all benefit from this.
Please keep us posted on your editing process when you get back to it. I’m sure your comments about editing our work will inspire us in our future editing.
“i am so sorry to disappoint those who have probably been anxiously waiting for the final results…”
TO DAVID
i don’t think anybody here is at all disappointed with your decision david! for me, i can say that i am much more than happy to be able to to reach you through my photos. i think this decision of yours, what you call “tough call”, shows your natural dedication and honesty towards your chosen field of work. don’t worry david, the fact that you are putting so much effort in this project of ours cannot possibly make anybody “disappointed”. what can i say? sometimes the word “thanks” is so insufficient to express one’s gratitude. so, like you, i say CHEERS :)
take care and enjoy…
“i am so sorry to disappoint those who have probably been anxiously waiting for the final results…”
TO DAVID
i don’t think anybody here is at all disappointed with your decision david! for me, i can say that i am much more than happy to be able to to reach you through my photos. i think this decision of yours, what you call “tough call”, shows your natural dedication and honesty towards your chosen field of work. don’t worry david, the fact that you are putting so much effort in this project of ours cannot possibly make anybody “disappointed”. what can i say? sometimes the word “thanks” is so insufficient to express one’s gratitude. so, like you, i say CHEERS :)
take care and enjoy…
I was talking to Kelly tonight about the depth and breadth of what the submissions must be… a lot of the people here I’ve seen their work, but definitely not 250! Especially considering the vast cultural filters that these submissions have come from… how to compare apples to oranges and pick one? Like Bob, I am most excited not about a single winner, but to see the results of this collective effort.
I can understand the mound of work on your plate. Do I anguish when faced with tough decisions? When it’s just for myself, less so as time goes on. But in a case like this when it’s not for yourself I can imagine stewing, yet driven by the stoke and nourishment of so many earnest efforts sparked by this community.
ps – Kelly and I are surprised to hear you say ‘metadata’. ha!
i am sorry for this ‘double trouble’ everytime i comment! the culprit is my connection! but this time it reinforces what i said
I think I’m with John R. Fulton Jr. A deadline is a deadline, and since I had my work in on time, I’m mad as hell.
Actually I’m just kidding—of course I have my gushing, appreciative Bob Black side—one that already sees the body of work without actually seeing it—that long-suffering side that knows that something must grow in it’s time. But if I may play Devil’s advocate (if not the Devil himself) didn’t we have a pretty significant string regarding “making excuses” about a month ago? I say that with a smile on my face :))
This crowd is so nicey nice—nobody wants to be the angry fertilizer :))
Don’t get me wrong—I do want to see the work in it’s finest form. But it’s become a daunting task to maintain patience without so much as a teaser, a trailer, a preview—something to whet the visual appetite—something so I know what I’m up against, as well as part of at the same time.
Those words are chosen carefully (think “salmon” when you hear the words “up against”.) I’ve never viewed this as a competition or contest, but there must be some gauge (DAH) by which stories and styles are found to be more inspiring than others—otherwise 250 of us would be published as opposed to 10 or so. (I’m talking myself into sympathizing more with David’s task.)
But instead I’ll wind down with this point (my tough call) I’m convinced that David will work with a clearer head if everyone isn’t kissing his ass all the time.
Chop, chop good teacher!!
David
I still have remorse that I give up your contest by walkover after your review my works, but if you have so many participant my hart is more quiet now. I’ll be waiting for winner!
Let’s fairest will win!!!
Martin (running for capture some moments :)
and about dedline… don’t worry, be happy (song says)… you are between friends!!
Doing things in a hurry is not good at all. We all know that doing things at the last moment because there is a deadline pushing us will cause stress and probably mistakes. It is better to see things from perspective, with time and a cup of tea in your hand. Looking deeply, trying to “feel” what is inside and not only see. So for me, it is just perfect that you take this thing so seriously and decided to look closer and closer taking more time. That says a lot of you!! That says that you really care and that you don’t want to miss anything on this. So, thank you again!!!
About the tough call… I had to do one some weeks ago. It was a similar situation. I was in charge of a big ‘intercultural’ project between two countries running into a deadline with many things still up in the air. The need of time was precious in order to make things good, as they deserved to be done. And I had to make “that” call and postpone everything. I felt terrible, like if I had failed, but deep in me I knew that it was the best thing to do. After the tough call I felt relieved but…. do you know what? I felt so “relieved” that took me a while to start moving again…. Now I’m working on it again and really hope to see it work soon!!
Gracias again, David. You did the right thing!!
David In a world of hurry hurry…., good old quality work/judging is welcome take your time and enjoy your family time and thanks a lot for this collective images process. And Bob B once again a pleasure to read your words, and I love to see your choice of movies!!!
Gunnar
You are right David McGowen, this is a nicey nice site, but I don’t see much ass kissing, just genuine appreciation for what DAH is doing here. Have you seen anyone else doing anything remotely like this? I know that you appreciate it.
DAH, I can’t wait to see some results but you made the right decision. A tough call is where you know what you have to do: but you really DON’T want to do it! I’ve made tough calls, everybody has to at some time. So, bite the bullet David, enjoy the holidays. We all want to see results but we want to see considered results.
Best, Mike.
I thinhg,,, than alway,, all the peolple if is for something fine,, the peolple can change all…an in this case.. you are taking more time in ours work to take the best desicion….
and also take your time and enyoy whit your famili this holidays ,,,,I know also that you goint to be in mexico(oaxaca) in february…igoint to be too but in mexico city,,,im goint to see the posibiliti to go some days to oaxaa,, becouse i want to see tha you can see my portfolio…..ok David,,,enyoy yuur time, and dont woried about this……
Sanchez
Well, knowing now how you will present everyone’s work I think it is worth the wait. In fact, like others here, I am actually more interested to see what has been created by everyone than to find out who will be the stipend recipient. And I think everyone will appreciate your decision because it just shows us once more how much you care about this “collaborative experiment” and it feels very good to know that you will really take the time to go through our work and choose what you think is the best. I just wish there could be a way to witness the whole process of reviewing and chosing because it would teach us a lot, but it is impossible so I’m happy just to wait and see what you will put on the new website in January.
I believe it is hard to be the one who makes the tough call because you feel you have all the responsiblity on your shoulders and you are never sure how people will react, feel or think after you make the call… but as long as you have good reasons to back you up in the end you won’t dissapoint people and in fact they might be greatful for your decision and you will be relieved for having made the tough call.
thank you
even if my photos won’t be selected, thank you
my mom refers to me (affectionately, i suspect (& hope)) as “slakkie”, afrikaans (dutch) for a small, slow snail..I tobb, toss & turn, try and work out the angles & consequences of every decision; yet still manage to make many idiotic decisions..it’s kept it interesting, at least…
David, I suspect that to most of us that has been part of the process since the beginnin’ (way, way before money reared it’s head), it is all ’bout getting feedback from a mentor whose life and work we have respected for a veeeeerrrrrry long time (i think you’ve realised this by now).
To think, somewhere in NYC (or Bangkok ;=]]) DAH has taken serious time out of his personal and professional life to have a good look at my pictures, for better or worse, sends shivers down my spine..
Echoin’ Ana “I still have a lot to learn but I assure you I will work harder and harder to do my best because I really don’t want to disappoint you…”
travel safe & have a blessed festive season, amigo!
i realize now that i dumped most of the metadata when i made up the jpegs for upload. typical noob.
any chance we can get a list of finalists? even if just some anonymous single images? would be nice to square up the competition.
DAVID MCGOWAN and ALL…
well amigo, you got me laughing at 6:30am sunday morning!!!
believe me, i do not live in a world where people “kma”….i am always ready to take the tough question…sometimes i have the answer, sometimes i do not..
and you are right , a deadline is a deadline…even if self-imposed…that is why i anguished over the decision to change it…oh no, this is starting to sound like a conversation with my girlfriend!!! my oh my, i am getting busted from every angle!!
seriously david, i see editors and publishers moving their publishing dates all over the place for a variety of reasons all the time…the magazines always come out on time, but the specific story schedules get juggled regularly…and my book publishing date changed three times….now, i do not want to be like THEM, but i was caught seriously between the proverbial “rock and a hard place”…i am sure THEY always feel the same!! am i starting to sound like THEM??
ok, here is the situation…so many stories entered just have zero caption information..some are obvious, but some are not..how can i publish an essay here without even a title? even when the work is provocative…
the student work i display here on the forum usually only has a title, but those are stories that i have been tracking closely and have worked with the photographer and most likely done the edit myself to create a visual thread…
i am thinking about your “teaser” or “preview” idea…it seems to me that yes it would appease this angry mob temporarily, but i still think perhaps the “surprise” element is worth waiting for, albeit two weeks late…do any others of you have thoughts on this??
if we do this again, i will have a permanent page for the web site with bold face details for submissions….just so that i am not scrambling around at the end, writing emails to photographers asking for a title for their story…
it is totally true that it would be really fun if somehow this audience could see this process of selection, as my students do in a workshop..but, i just cannot think of a way to make this happen….can you??
what i will do however, is to write a piece or pieces on the selection process and keying it off of specific stories..
yup, i am making excuses!!! guilty as charged!! but, i would rather make the “late excuse” rather than the “this looks bad because” excuse…..
david mcgowan, please try to hold your temper!!!
JOHN FULTON…
yes, you are right … i so stated in the post that i could make the decision on the stipend recipient quite easily..post a name and say “photog x just received my stipend”….but that would make the stipend photographer way way more important than everyone else…and i just do not want to do that….
i think it better to show the whole community body of work from whence the stipend photog was chosen…a context….and there are just enough “rough edges” with some of these submissions to not want to “rush publish”
sure deadlines are important in this business…but, so are captions and general story information!!! back in days when we worked together on the newspaper, do you think clarkson would have published our pictures “on time” if we had no captions??
john, my friend, you very well know that the deadline is the burden of the photographer to the publisher..and i extended the deadline for the audience here way back…i do not ever recall (do you?) of an editor or publisher having an obligation to me for a publishing date…sometimes my Geographic stories are published a whole year or more after i thought they were to be published…
now, that is only a reference to the “business” of which YOU spoke..this forum is different..and is not a business anyway…i simply want to give 5k to a worthy emerging photographer…and show, in the best possible way, the work of the audience on harveyforum…..
there is no doubt in my mind, that if you were sitting right here with me right now and looking at what i am seeing, you would make the same decision for the same reasons!!
all of that said, i love our little “arm wrestle”…it is fair enough….and part and parcel of how things are challenged and should be challenged in our craft…isn’t that what we have always done???
maybe we should now have a three way phone chat with rich clarkson….he would settle this for us!!! our original boss is still our boss….can we ever escape???
peace amigos, david
Don’t worry about it David.
You are doing an amazing thing for this community already, and like most people prior to me already said, it’s better to take a bit more time, and get the result you want out of it. It’s an enormous task and only shows us that you are taking it/our work very serious.
So take the time you need, have a great time in Paris and Colorado and we’ll hear it when you are ready.
I myself can fret over making decisions. I’m a libra and the scales go up and down all the time, but I learned to just make some choices very inuitively and it usually works.
I can still be scared once I decided something, but in the end I never see things as final. If I don’t like the result or the way I’m going, I can always change direction. And that somehow gives me piece of mind.
Wendy
Haha I have learnt 2 new words today… According to my Apple embedded English dictionary, “flak” comes from the German “Fliegerabwehrkanone”, literally ‘Aircraft Defense Gun’ (1930s…).
Well, maybe not the best of German culture…
Anyway I think you’re not going to catch any flak at all :)
Forgiveness? Ah….let me think…! But for your idea and the the extension, I suspect that a significant portion of this work wouldn’t exist at all. Including mine. We are involved in something that is being defined as it goes — a beta experience.
The stimulation of a body of work by disparate individuals only joined by this blog is in itself the creation. Discovering what people saw and and how they saw it, what moves and motivates them, will be a fine way to start out a new year. Your challenge started when ours ended, and is to show the work in the best possible way.
As for tough decisions, I don’t like to make them AND I don’t dwell. I’d rather make them than have someone make them for me, or make them by default. I try to give each one the time it needs (the hardest part for me) and no more.
Enjoy your time & travels with friends and family.
I do wonder how waiting three weeks is actually going to “be tough” on anybody. I won’t lie and say I wasn’t a bit disappointed about having the “deadline” moved, but I also can’t lie and say I wasn’t thrilled back when it was extended for submissions.
Anyway, for those who think it will be rough on you (which I suspect is actually very few)…take a deep breath, shake it off and go enjoy your day. Maybe make some photos.
However…just so I don’t come off as a total “kiss ass”… David, you slacker, get back to work! ;^}
Cheers.
“but i still think perhaps the “surprise” element is worth waiting for, albeit two weeks late”
..yes, absolutely..
“so many stories entered just have zero caption information”
..that’s right, if we collectively didn’t do as asked, and have made your task more difficult, how can we expect you to rush and step over that important aspect? I don’t doubt someone else would just throw out any image without the information that was asked for, disqualify it, and omit the problem.Through an extended time period, you found a way to be inclusive and do us all a favor.
By the way, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, and many consider that to be the real ending/beginning of the year. Accordingly, that is when you want to complete things by: eat up any leftover food, release old habits, make decisions. The word epiphany itself means “a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.” So revelation that was proceeded by the down to earth. In Christian terms, it’s the revelation of the human child of Jesus as the divine being.
Too, the Epiphany is coincident with the time when sun is at Perihelion -closest to the planet Earth.This sun energy would bring, in more pagan terms, strength and enlightenment, and would “shed more light on things”.
So please, feel good about waiting till then!
Erica,
Really? Christian symbolism? Ugh. I don’t think this blog needs that.
But…maybe that’s just me.
David, I sent you a card to my exhibition to Magnum, the address you gave me. In that card is the title and statement of my exhibition, which is actually the same for the photos I uploaded here. Just thought to tell you, since I totally forgot to put it in the meta data. That was something new for me, editing the meta data.
Anyway I do not know if that helps or if the postcard got to you, but I do actually have a title and a statement for those photos.
I thank you for all this you are doing, it is an unexpected bonus so it is hard for me to expect anything since you have already surpassed my expectations by providing this for us.
Michael, the pagan bit was at the end.. peace and light to you, whatever the source..
“with the work of the stipend recipient and the chosen best of everyone else all viewed together on the new website being constructed specifically to display your work….”
along with your sentence: most of you don’t have a clue about editing.. or something along those lines…
well, I think that this “workshop” could have been a great learning experience just for that specific point, learn how to edit. But if you only put up the best work, how can one learn that? It would be a pity, to me. But then, I’m not part of it anyway, just thought it might be interesting and something more than a competition.
best, happy holidays!
EVA…
i know what you mean, but how could i teach online 250 people how to edit??
when i do this at my workshops, it is an all week intense experience hands on for 8-12 photographers…i just do not think i could duplicate online this stream of teaching….if i could, i would..and if you can tell me how, i will!!!
however, when the best work is published, maybe i can show some examples of stories where there were many good pictures, but many superfluous pictures also…
please be aware that editing is a common problem even among some very well known professionals…when i last judged the u.s. national Pictures of the Year competition, i was thinking the same thing….in general, few photographers are good editors of their own work….most need to bring in a friend or someone they respect to get help…so my comment, “most of you need a tough edit” was not intended to be a severe critique…
stick around…you will pick up on a lot of things here…if you are in the new york area, please come to my loft…i am always helping young photogs how to edit their work…not in official workshops necessarily…if i am home, i am usually available….
cheers, david
ERICA…
i would rather not disqualify anyone….i can bend a bit….thanks for your support…and i hope to see you soonest in the new year….
cheers, david
If there is still a chance we do not see the assignement as it was never planned, that is: not a contest, with finalists and winner, it would be swell.
I am convinced that evryone sent work that they are proud to present to David, but that many did not do it with the slightest idea of competition. I am even sure that a few are not expecting anything but David’s consideration and dedication from looking at their essay.
I think this attitude fits the best how we are all together participating and getting to know each other a bit more every month.
Let’s keep the final decision about the money recipient just incidental to the whole process, just as I understand David sees and feels it.
I’m far from disappointed, just on the edge of my seat! I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say the opportunity to apply for the grant is amazing in and of itself. Thanks David, take your time!!
HERVE…
thanks for your good attitude…..and i will do my best to write private emails to as many entrants as possible with a short critique…yes, you remember correctly..this grant came at the end of our gathering of work…nobody who uploaded originally knew there were funds attached….but, that is why i extended the deadline…this will all come down good….
cheers, david
Herve,
This is exactly right! In fact I would suspect that is what’s making David’s job all that more intense. Simply declaring a winner of a competition would be the easy part. But, as you call it, a real “consideration” of the work submitted…that’s the exciting part.
Looking forward to it all.
David, looking forward to seeing you too..
and of course, I am very glad you wouldn’t cut any of us for not giving you everything you needed on the first go around..I appreciate that generosity of spirit
thanks for your good attitude…..
———————————-
That’s the problem with getting older. Becoming wiser, patient and equanimous…God, I hate it, what happened to my starting blocks?!?!
:-)))
Hi David,
I have gained tons of respect since the beginning of this blog. Take your time to make the best decision.
At the end, I chose not to submit my work, not because I think it is of no value but because I do not have the desire to become a pro photog.
I could share with you my pictures, but outside any kind of competition or exhibition.
Thanks
Arie
This opportunity is such a gift… and a few more days won’t hurt anyone. Except maybe our curiosity, which we can all learn to control… So it’s all good.
Thanks David, and safe travels.
Giancarlo
Well for me it is always hard to make a tough call. I guess that’s why they call it “tough”.
Anyway, this delay only shows us how seriously you are taking this, it’s yet again a great surprise, a good one. By the way, I uploaded my share close to the deadline, and since there was no confirmation it would be nice to know if it got all the way through…
Cheers.
“it is totally true that it would be really fun if somehow this audience could see this process of selection, as my students do in a workshop..but, i just cannot think of a way to make this happen….can you??”
Even if you could do this in some partial way it would be amazing. Let’s think about it. Any ideas Michael C?
“what i will do however, is to write a piece or pieces on the selection process and keying it off of specific stories..”
Great.
You have already mentioned this but I do want to remind you of your “promise” to critique each of the original entries (in the spirit of non-asskissing) :)
I believe that was part of the “deal” you made when extending the deadline.
Mea culpa, for a half:)) … I am one among those who have submitted without caption, yes, very bad!!!, but weeks later I realized and emailed with Michael if i had the chance to resubmit, he confirmed and I did. I too am curious to know if you are doing the work all by yourself or with others: wish i could be a fly surviving the winter cold and be there :)) and watch u and listen to u … anyway you need time, great! … you take the time, and we wait: you have created something unique, free and open to everybody besides their age or nationality or gender, without requiring any contribution fee neither a theme, or a style, or right grabbing, just PHOTOGRAPHY CREATION so where on earth does something equal exists? THANK U, DAVID ALAN HARVEY!!! and ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY. MERRY CHRISTMAS :))
David, I understand that it is difficult, but I agree with Eva, at the end we see the best work from the ones who sent work in (I didn’t), it would be much more interesting to see what didn’t made it into the final selection.