I was too busy to make a longer comment earlier, deadlines etc. Sorry.

This piece blows me away. I only wish I was blessed with the sort of creativity that you are obviously so blessed with. I’m truly envious of your talent; envious in a positive way!! :-0

I’m far too “straight” I think, but truly appreciate other work. To me; this is one of the most inspirational, artistic and memorable essays submitted so far.

Good luck and thank you

Ross

I saw your portfolio on the Critical Mass website several months ago and this was one of those that really stood out for me….I appreciate so many kids of photography and the intentions behind the images, but I am just mesmerized by the surreal and I absolutely love what you have created.

I hope your reviews go well at Photolucida….
You must sign up for a review with Mary Virginia Swanson……she is an amazing woman and THE person who seems to know everything about the photosphere…esp fine art.
Maybe you already know that, but i wanted to mention it…..

Also, I will be volunteering to set up for the Photolucida portfolio walk next Thursday and I will go thru each session with my teacher Cherie Hiser and 4 other students.
We will meet with a few photographers after each session to look at & talk about their work.
I was wondering if after your session you would sit down with us and personally show us your portfolio?
Afterwards…if you would like….let me take you out to play in our fun and funky city of Portland.

Looking forward to meeting you & seeing your prints at the walk……

hillary

hillary@hughes.net…..503-949-8803

(~;…btw….from the bUrn. roster….Brian Shumway~La Chureca was a finalist in Critical mass too….and another one of peter tonningsens avian images is on the promo piece for the Photolucida portfolio walk….;~)

Thank you!

i couldn’t agree more…having been to events like this…and also given people portfolio reviews, i just say, keep open and be careful of reviewers….network is important…all i would say is this:

At perp, Magnum gives FREE!!! portfolio reviews…Plucida $750……CONTACT much much cheeper…and well, ok, i’ve spoken enough already….it’s a major problem for me…in the world of publishing, a writer is not charged to have a manuscript read…and i deal with both worlds….it’s a major and depressing part of the photo world network….i know 1 vu photographer, 1 vii network photographer and 1 magnum photographer who had horrendous experiences at these kinds of places…and look we’re there at now ;)))….all I am saying is stick to your convictions, believe in your work and connect with people….it’s a game (one that depresses me immeasurably)…i say that as a photographer whose exhibited and sold work…but, i’ve said enough…

to each their own, for sure….

cheers
b

Your work is stunning! I’m a huge fan of Carter, Caffery, Mann, etc and your work fits right in to the spirit of these great artists; loaded with mystery, atmosphere, narrative, and humanity. I will definitely be talking to my students about your work.

I too will be at Photolucida (an image of mine in fact is featured on the announcement for the Portfolio Walk you mention) so I look forward to meeting you and seeing your work in person.

RE: Bob’s comments about these events, I have been to several, including Photolucida in the past, Fotofest, Photo Alliance, etc and I know many veterans of these events who have been attending them since their inception, so I think I can confidently say from experience that these events are quite worthwhile. The measure of their success however is really dependent on your expectations and how you nurture the relationships forged there. I have had both sales and exhibitions materialize from these events, but that is not the norm. Instead, I suggest looking at this week as an opportunity to gain introduction to people and to expand your network. The most valuable relationships you may come away with may very well be your peers. If you’d like, feel free to email me and I’ll share some stories (www.petertonningsen.com) Otherwise I’ll see you in Portland with your great work! Congratulations.

peter

David: how about a thread on the nature and nuture (??) of events such as big portfolio reviews…i know you do this at Perp and it’s a rewarding experience for those who get lucky and get a good/thoughtful reviewer (like you)….i’ve got lots to say on that issue :))))….

remind me later to tell u what Chris A told me once about what a reviewer had said to him when he was younger…and my friend Don Weber’s experience in Portland….

hugs
running
b

good to know. in this case it looks like you’ll be in good hands: that’s important. congrats on the critical mass finalist :))….and please do not misunderstand, my concern was not whether people will or will not like your work, no doubts there. my lament has to do with personal experience of friends who’ve gone. it’s not a condemnation either of Plucida or Critical Mass, but of how often unfortunate the experience can be….anyway, it doesnt matter. I’m certain it will be a wonderful experience. Presenting work to others is critical, especially in person where there is no escaping their eyes/faces….:))….

anyway, best of luck. It’s been a pleasure to discover your work. Stick to your convictions, above all.

all the best
Bob

I’m taking everyones advice about the “edit” of the images in to account because I’m only going to show 20 and I do realize the need for them to be tight.

Thank you, ALL
Angela

i’ll write you at week’s end…im trying to finish up a writing assignment for Burn….soon to be seen….and please do not misunderstand me. I think PLucida MIGHT be a brilliant and wonderful opportunity for you, for sure. Your work is mature and interesting and deserves a wide viewership…and I believe that people who see your work will enjoy. some will like, others will not, some will really love it. What i fear about that ‘conference’ is that (as has happened to some people who I know personally and closely, and who are now great, successful photographers) you will have invested alot of time, money and effort and in return will not get valuable feedback. I hope this does not happen to you. I think the best opportunity will be with the Portland Museum…and hopefully galleries that showcase work such as yours will connect with you….but go with eyes open….many many people who offer portfolio reviews (especially in places like this), don’t have as much insight or working knowledge as you’d hope…but, as I said, i hope it is proven wrong….and I know 1 person who will be there, she’s an artist with whom I have had exhibitions and with whom we were artists shown by the same gallery…now, she’s also a curator….and well, to a certain degree, this artist embodies (in person, in conversation) much of what i loathe about the photo-circuit world…but, you could have a fabulous time…one VII photographer i know went there (before they were recruit by VII), they were told:

‘hmmm, this light, was it photoshopped’…and it was natural lighting…title doesnt mean depth at all…just know that, in the end, your work is strong because you are committed to your vision, regardless of what others say/think….

i hope the best for you…every committed person deserves both honesty and sincerity….the photogs i know personally experienced a lot of insincerity there…3 diff photogs, 3 diff years, 3 different careers….anyway, i’ll write u more in private…

be postitive but believe in your work…

cheers
bob

and OH! a lot of credits goes to DAVID for publishing “BURN” in front of the world……it is like the grammar with a pleasant diversion from so called traditional photography.

Sometimes I dream for working a personal project for BURN.
Hope I shall give some days.

Partha Pal
from Birbhum,India

Two images, #2 and #27, sort of break the ‘rhythm’ for me-not so much in the content
or structure of the image but in their execution.
With these two image I feel that the ‘technique’ takes center stage and,in particular, the
light direction of the background and principal subject don’t match or are over-manipulated to the
point that I can’t get past the technique in order to ‘feel’ the image.

These are nit piks, of course, and don’t significantly detract from the overall work but are
details that stuck out to me. As the saying goes, “the devil is in the details”

Bobblack, how do I get in touch with you?
Thanks again for your honest opinions. I appreciate it.

Best,
Angela