one of the worst ideas i have ever had was starting BURN three days before Christmas!! what a bad idea….but, when i get passionate about something, it is hard to hold me back….so, thus it was that BURN was launched just as i was getting on an airplane and heading for Colorado to see my mother who has no internet modum…..hmmmm, and i am here to help emerging photographer’s think?? well, please know that i do not always do the right thing…however, here we are and i just want to take a minute to take stock….
first of all, i want to thank the readers here for submitting so much work for publication on BURN…some of you may not realize, but so far, all of the work published on BURN has come from you….and this morning i was looking at what we have ready to roll and the next weeks and months are going to be exciting indeed….at first, i was really worried about having daily updates on BURN…i could not imagine it…now, i could do two posts per day easy !! we have lots of content coming in and “the bar” is going to get higher and higher …
the internet audience is indeed a fickle one and an impatient one as well….you have so many choices out there and you want what you want NOW….i get that, but i also ask you to be a little bit patient with BURN…i was getting judged after 6 days, when i could see that to really “get” BURN ,in all of its manifestations, would take 6 months….one sentence is not a paragraph and one paragraph is not a book….i surely would not want to be judged on my first 6 days of anything…..photo essays or relationships or anything!! but, i will take the criticism because this is fair enough…i have put myself “out there”, so that is just the way it goes…so expect more flaws, but expect some revelations as well…
i mean, BURN right now is just me editing, writing etc and Anton Kusters managing most of the tech stuff….i have been in about three locations since BURN started and Anton has been in either Belgium or Japan…so, neither of us can possibly get any sleep because of the time zones…and both of us are shooting as well…sitting by a computer editing is not what i envision for life…i am a working photographer and i will stay a working photographer….my number one priority photographically is my next book….and i hope you will see that this is important for me to be a photographer first and an editor second…but, my work is not published here on BURN…..yours is…..and that is the way it will be..
my choices for essays and singles are just that…my choices….choice comes from either something i really really like OR photographs that i think will invite discussion….and there is certainly no lack of discussion!! i like photojournalism….i like conceptual photography….frankly, i like whatever is truly compelling….again, the work published here has come from the pool of submissions from you, or from photographers i have mentored online or in workshops…..i was thinking at first to cast a wider net and i will do that too, but things are coming in so fast and the essays are getting so good, that it is a full time job just to view it all….
plus, we will start soonest the “Work in Progress” section for developing essays…i will take on 5 new photographers for this and work with them a month or so and then select 5 more…i predict many of you will be hanging around “Work in Progress” over all other sections…i will continue to profile so called iconic photographers as a way of mixing it all up on the same pages…not only Magnum photographers as some would expect, but photographers from all agencies , galleries , etc etc…this is my nature…i do this in my workshops…my student show always follows the show of one of the greats…this honors say an Alessandra Sanguinetti or a Eugene Richards, but gives a special cred to the emerging photographers who will soon become the “greats”….this is my whole point of mentoring….to discover the next great photographer OR to provide a meaningful way of making photography an integral part of your life…
your ideas and your work are BURN…..i am just a moderator….BURN may be likened to “talk radio”…participation is the message….as you know , i have ideas for funding beyond the Emerging Photographer Fund grant….to give some of you the funding you need to finish your projects and ideally to create from “scratch” content specific for BURN…it would seem that a financial recession would not be the ideal time to do this…i think the opposite…sponsors are looking to the net…content is king….for a fraction of what sponsors are spending now, we can give them THE place to be…..and photographers rights are always paramount in my mind and my life philosophy….
if you tap into your passion, if you create something special, and if that appears here, then indeed the audience will become the producers……we have a chance for the ultimate collaboration…a chance to invent something…joining something can be terrific…inventing something is the ultimate…
your thoughts???
MARCIN…
now you know i love the Poles….and you know i plan to come to Poland…and you know i can feel your pride in so many Poles winning in World Press ..super congratulations!!
BUT for those of us who speak and write Latin based languages, how are we supposed to remember how to spell or pronounce those Polish names??? laughing at my own inadequacy….
love you Marcin…peace, david
I’m so happy our friend Lars, Lars Lindqvist, has won a second prize stories in WPP. David and Miguel and Kyunghee lee know him. Do you remember in Oslo?
DAVID
ha, ha, ha… yes we all know that… we poles are crazy staring from names… and I remember all this surprised faces when I introduce myself :)
Do you know how pronounce MY name or first name :)))))
Come to Poland, you are very famous here! Maybe some exhibition?
peace
Oh! Lars, Congratulations with my heart !!!
This is his brilliant works. :)))
http://www.worldpressphoto.org/index.php?option=com_photogallery&task=view&id=1419&Itemid=223&type=&selectedIndex=5&bandwidth=high
I just saw this..very funny David, and I don’t doubt Katia that we do dream meet..and it is no surprise that we were cleaning :)
.. and you are absolutly right with the need of “personal manager”for most of the photographers!!!!
Is it possible to buy one??? Where do they sell them? :)))
DAVID–
you’re a dear..
i cannot wait to meet you
and i cannot wait for you to meet my kids!!
that thought makes me so happy. :))
love you,
katia
‘mama d.’
not “my” kids, “our” kids.
:)
k.
DAH posted the most recent thread on the Magnum blog. It’s all about BURN and the Emerging Phtographer Grant. Check it out and add your comments at
http://blog.magnumphotos.com/
Just wanted to let everyone know CHRIS BICKFORD is featured on The Travel Photographer blog today.
http://thetravelphotographer.blogspot.com/index.html
I will send him a personal message as well.
DAH,
I just checked the submission guidelines for EPF. I remember reading somewhere earlier that the images submitted should be from 2008 or later. Is that correct?
Thanks!
Cheers
MARTIN…
no time limit…the more recent the better in most cases, but no rule…you know i hate rules!!
DAH
just mailed anton my effort for work in progress and he thinks we have a way of making more posts over the month.. please check words and phots when you have time and we´ll see how the section pans out – really looking forward to a grilling and will be looking for lucky jims tough love .. hohoho. :ø)
with many thanks indeed.
been away doing my own thing for a while.. lots to catch up on here.. garages, filthy hotels and saucy ladies… it almost feels like i´m back freelancing in music ..
going to sink into the comments sections later..
peace all and hello again.
davidx
…. and, david… brillinat to see you on the editors choice blog over at nat geo..
http://ngm.typepad.com/editors_pick/2009/02/photographing-andrew-wyeth.html
So I was in the wicked city yesterday photographing the indigenous wildlife in its native habitat and I didnt see anyone from Burn. Where were you guys? You spend your weekends wallowing in the fleshpots and chasing strumpets and doing whatever else people do in the big city on weekends and on Monday you’re so hung over you can’t get out of bed in the morning. A good thing I spend all of my time here in our happy little burg, where the air is clear and the crazies are stoned only on alternate Tuesdays during Lent.
ALL….
one quick comment and one quick question…
i PROMISE to write a story here when i return home from Oaxaca (best weather in the world)….with BURN, the extra duty of editing all that comes in has left me with less time to write as i did on Road Trips, but i should be clear for a bit after this trip…i also am going to assign some of you to write…and i do see an editing marathon coming up on our last three years here…take all of the comments and stitch them together and there is some interesting kind of book to be made…you know me..always always thinking books books….more on that later…
the question is: do all of you see or know about the little red button in the right hand corner of Essays that allows you full screen viewing during the slide shows?? many tell me they never knew it, others tell me “well, sure everybody knows THAT”….so which is it?? know or don’t know…need more of an indicator??
ok, off to shoot…wishing all a good day….
cheers, david
DAVID BOWEN..
anxious to have you up soonest on “work in progress”….i did view already all of your work…rushing now, but back to you soonest….
let’s roll my friend…
cheers, david
david :))
didnt know about the red button until i looked at Panos’ essay…although i knew the pics were ‘viewable’ full screen…i think, somehow, this should be more prominent…cause for some story, it’s a necessity in order to see the images’ detail or texture (bones)…and for me, it also allows me to stand away from the computer and watch the shows…which is what i’ve subsequently done for ALL THE ESSAYS…it’s a great great feature!…and one maybe that should be given more attention, as i suspect that many dont know about it…even though the button is red ;)))))….maybe a line of text beneath the title of the essay like ‘click hear for full screen version’…old dogs like me see tend to read text before the intuitive sense of icons ;)))))…
happy shooting
hugs
b
No; I didn’t know what the button did. I personally like the smaller view as I find I can see the composition of a photograph better – the way it holds together. I hate bled-to-the-edge photographs in magazines (especially Nat Geo who should know better). I always think that it does not show respect to the photograph or photographer.
Oaxaca sounds wonderful! Here in North of England we have light drizzle and it feels as if the light has been switched off. It has been like this for days! I hunger for some decent light.
Good shooting to all of you in Oaxaca,
Mike R.
never knew about the red button….
**
I knew about it and I thought everyone else did, too
I did know about the button, but was apprehensive about using it for fear of the slide shows locking up and not running smoothly. Finally used it for Bob’s essay, and found that my worry about bandwidth was unwarranted; the full screen function gives a completely different viewing experience while remaining smooth. Bones was more powerful and effective full screen than it was bound up in a small frame. I imagine the other essays would be as well.
The issue now in my internet-induced haste to see each image, is that I often forget the button is there, and miss out on a more immersive experience. Definitely think it could be more prominent because it’s a great feature. I do wish I could click through faster on subsequent viewings of essays though.
andrew
I live in the US..
I don’t cross red lights…
I don’t click or touch on “red” things or buttons..
unless it’s a skirt…
Love y’all…
I’m scared of red…!!!!
:)))))
I mean I do like CHE but,
That’s as far as I can go..
laughing….!
… and speaking of china ..
Why is their flag red???
…hmmm
Because the East is Red, Comrade!
ANDREW…
hey amigo, your essay is coming soon…many have seen it, but now they can see it full screen if they so choose…
i also wish we had the feature (like the New York Times Magazine) where we could more easily click through and back and forth….evidently, that is a higher tech thing than what we have now and would take a full time tech person to put this into play…looks simpler, but is technically more complex…we just do not have that person..yet!!! Anton is overworked as it is..
when are you coming to New York??…would love to meet…
cheers, david
have been using the little red button..
probably only because i already knew about slideshow pro and how it works..
fantastic – really looking forward to feedback..
getting right on top of the editing now.. 300 small prints done.. pairing up photos.. working out little stories within the stories..
same as ever, making prints eases the nerves and makes everything just that little more positive..
thanks
david
The red button was mentioned in an early comment and I’ve been using it ever since. I love watching the essay full screen; it takes me into the world created by the photographer. But I doubt if I ever would have found that option on my own. I guess you could post a note in italics under the introductory text for each essay. A bit of a bother for you & Anton but it would help all newcomers…of which I’m sure there are many.
Patricia
C’mon lurkers …
Get involved.. I’m bored here..
Ain’t it all about the money…!!
Right????
I was in New York on Monday, but there wasnt anyone there. I can’t understand why not; I took a shower and everything.
OK folks, Magnum is now accepting submissions for 2009 membership. The deadline is May 31. Wouldn’t it be cool if one of our very own BURN photographers were nominated this year? So what do you have to lose? I’m not going there but some of you definitely should. Here’s the link:
http://agency.magnumphotos.com/about/submission
Good luck!!!
Patricia
I recall reading on Burn… Dimensions and such for slideshows.. submissions.. uh, built in Flash.. Am I stoned? did I see this? Can anyone point me to this note, thread, post.. the nearest bar?
Valeu!
Tim
but dear dearest Patricia… why Magnum…. why not Burn ???
Burn is Magnum’s child… can’t you see??? you already belong, and been published
at the Burn ( Magnum’s baby ) magazine…
Dont you see the honor ????????? How much more “magnum” do you want ??????
( kiddin’….)
;-)))))))))))))))
LOl Patricia,
I think the chances of that are very very slim:)
TO ALL-
I just received a message that our friend James Chance has been selected by Anthropographia is for the photojournalism competition on human rights with his essay on “Living With The Dead: Manila’s North Cemetery”. So pleasing to see this… James is well placed among a few reknown PJ’s so he should be very proud and somehow we all saw this essay developed on Road Trips…. Congrats James!
Eric
Congratulations, James! It’s just as DAH predicted. We have no idea where we will go from here. And you, my friend, are soaring!!!
Patricia
Yes knew it was there, knew what it did. Maybe i’ve been watching too much Hulu?…
Hey Eric! Thanks for the note. Yes, I found out about this yesterday and am pretty chuffed as you might imagine —esp as I have a great amount of respect for some of the other nominees. I think all of the work will be featured in an exhibition in Montreal and will then possibly tour after that. Here is a link to the award It says that the complete essays will available after April 1st (just single images from each person for now).
JAMES:
BIG CONGRATULATIONS MATE! :)))…strange, i left a comment yesterday here congratulating you and it seems to have vanished??…some weird comment formatting lately…but so, ok, i’ll repeat:
big big happiness for that as you know i’ve always loved the story and even great to see it play out on Road Trips…and am just happy to know that…and if by any chance the show goes to Montreal and you go, let me know….maybe we can go, or you can drop by Toronto :)))
again, so happy for you!….hugs
bob
Thanks Bob! I’m glad you reposted as I did miss you message. I would love to get up to Montreal, but i’m so flat broke after last years adventures it’s hard right now. It would be great to meet up with you and Mike! Anyways I encourage you to get there if you can as there are a number of events what with the awards and the film festival. I’ll keep you posted as to if I make the trip or not.
Thanks too Patricia. You are always very generous with your kind words of support.
JAMES…
super congratulations on being nominated for the Anthropographia award..i am working right now with Anton to see if we can get your essay up soonest…my only worry is that as is , it is a bit long in my opinion…but, if you want to stand by it and be prepared for comments, so be it…you know i always tip my hat to the photographer…
cheers, david
keep me posted James…i’ll through a small soiree….i’ll have a little get together when YOung Man Harvey comes to town for CONTACT….do the same for u…
i’ll see Mike tonight to give a send off to my friend Arantxa (who is leaving for Cambodia and about to befriend Mr. Vink!)….so, i’ll give him a hug for you! :))
hugs
running
bob
Oh I do love a good soiree! When is Harvey up? Yes, please say hi to Mike for me. Saw his work bang center on the Oskar B award page. Nice! Although your friend will be in good hands with Vink. She can feel free to drop me a line if she needs any info on Cambodia.
I recevived the email and try to post yesterday about it but.. the button Submit disappeared from my page… Also to say that I noticed and use before the Enlarge button on the essay.. anyway I’m here to tell Congratulation to James!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us3dQ0nnlHY
BOB…
yes, i noticed something i had written had disappeared as well….there is definitely some sort of glitch….anyway, Anton and i meet on Sunday to go over tech problems etc…we will fix it (he will fix it!!)..
James,
Also got the email down here in the caribe and want to send my congrats..can’t read much on a phone but this came thru loud and clear!
Hey David. Yeah the piece is five minutes, this is how it has been edited for a while now. I think if we go ahead as-is, i’ll take the flak if the general consensus agrees with you. You know i’m not too precious! All the feedback will be very useful i’m sure.