Category: Up Close

(click image for larger view)

The Wustum Museum in Racine, Wisconsin, has a long and solid history of befriending serious photographers. In 1979 they began the tradition of a “Wisconsin Photography” exhibition. As I recall it was an invitational, as well as juried (selections made from 10 matted prints submitted by each photographer); and billed as “Annual” in that first year. At 33 years old I felt pretty excited to be part of it. I can’t remember how many years it continued as an annual event, but after perhaps more than a few, it became a biannual event; and for the last couple of few shows a tri-annual event. Until I received the recent announcement for the 2009 exhibition it felt so long since the last exhibition (must have been ’06) that I actually wondered if they gave it up all together; or cut me off the invitation list.

As I began to consider which images I would print and matt for the “juror” it felt exciting again – just like all the past years I participated. Over the next few weeks I went back through the last couple years work; chose 15 or so images; printed a dozen, fine, 13×19 inch, ink jet prints on fine paper (some 3 and four times – to get them just right); then chose 10 to matt. Days went by and the more I considered the cost and time to cut 10 large rag mats the more I thought, “why not just submit the CD?” This year they’re accepting a CD with the 10 images at a specified .jpg size and resolution. The thought went through my mind that the large prints would fare better with the judge than the screen images. Yet, the expense in time and materials seemed high in these times. So I prepared the disk; filled out the entry form; and drove it 40 miles to the Museum. Handing this little package over the counter with the $25 entry fee did not feel right. Over all past years I’d left a serious, large portfolio case containing 10 matted 11 x 14, some years 16×20, prints; a package of considerable aesthetic and financial value. On this Saturday I’m dropping off a CD with ten 300 dpi x 6 in x 6 in .jpg’s on it.

Change. I’d always respected the Wustum for demanding to see the prints that would hang in the show; not slides of the work. As I drove the 40 miles back home I felt that I’d made a mistake; that I should have matted and showed the actual prints. I also felt the Museum made a mistake in allowing me to show my work in this “new” manner. Oh well. The ball’s now in play.

The judging took place on May 12th, and on the 14th I drove another 80 mile round trip to pick up the CD and discover that one image out of the ten was accepted for the exhibition. Of course I should have simply had them ship the CD back to me (something that would have cost too much for a large portfolio but made perfect sense in this case). In the past — I’d have to open the portfolio and LOOK AT the prints to see if they marked “in” or “out” on the label attached to the back of the print. On this day I simply had the CD and the list where I read #1 “in” and “out” for #2 through #10. Not nearly as aesthetically pleasing an experience as in the past. I also found myself wondering if the “judge” would have chosen one or two more if I’d submitted the actual prints. Of course I’m also 63 now. The whole “pay to play” and have a “judge” or “juror” decide what the public will or won’t see as representative of my life’s work seems a lot less exciting than 30 years ago (or even 3 years ago). Past years I felt, “lucky me.” This year I feel, “okay, I need to matt and frame a print then drive it 40 miles back for the nearly 2 month long exhibition (I don’t remember past exhibitions hanging that long); then pick it up (unless it sells — which would be swell). Last friday I matted, framed (miss—cutting three sheets of glass in the process—ugh) and delivered the print.

Over on the LUG (Leica User Group) we recently discussed the new “print on demand” books (like blurb and lulu) in contrast to traditional photographic book publishing. Some took the view that “getting” published by a traditional publisher had far more value than self publishing; certainly more prestigious to be “judged” publishable. Yet, today we can publish (make public) in our blogs, as well as book form, our actual concepts and ideas without a judge or juror between the creator and the public. We can certainly do this using professional editors and designers if we choose. We can produce as professional a product as we’re willing to. Somehow this all relates to the “change” in my feelings and the “change” in the Wustum’s acceptance of .jpg’s for judging.