After raising - more than doubling print prices - orders started coming in again. Go figure.
I have my list of ten A-List galleries and I'm working on a portfolio so that I can visit and probably be rejected by same. In political parlance, rejection isn't a problem - it's a challenge.
Anyway - I've ordered several small portfolio boxes from Light Impressions and my plan is to print about twenty 6 x 9's on the good paper for each portfolio and then hand-deliver them to my A-List.
At the same time - I'm raising prices so that they will eventually be more in line with what gallery prices will be.
My neighbor asked for a print of D.U.M.B.O. (Manhattan Bridge) and he shall get one as he's given me lots and lots of free music.
Just as a bit of trivia - to date the highest priced print I've sold was an 8 x 12 Window of Met. print #1 for $750 at a soho gallery. And I did a show in Connecticut a few years ago where I sold an 16 x 20 print (low number) of Subway Car Empty for $700. That may sound like a lot - but on the Conn. trip I stayed at a hotel, rented a car - and did a lot of framing for prints that didn't sell. All in all - though I sold about six prints - that was a break-even show.
* * *
Anyway - my shooting is picking up again. I just grab the M3 with the 35mm lens and goggles on and just take it with me while I do my errands. And I'm starting to go through film again. I do carry a handheld meter, but I'm using it less and less.
One other point - I was using the M3 with goggles on subway this morning - and I was very out in the open about aiming and taking pictures. People didn't seem to mind at all - and I think it's that the camera looks so ancient that they just see it (and me) as a curiosity rather than a danger.
3/21/2006
3/20/2006
Have a sectarian day
The latest word is: sectarian, as in "sectarian violence."
Can you say, sectarian?
The word made its debut when the idea that Iraq was on the brink of civil war took hold; or it had plunged over the brink into the abyss.
Sectarian is used to differentiate the two sides from the terrorists, I think. The sectarians are not dead-enders, and they are not terrorists. They are just misguided.
The terrorists are trying, we are told, to create civil war between the Shiites and the Sunnis - and these are the two sects that are plunging into sectarian violence.
The word pops up as our President (who some would say is himself the head of a sectarian administration) has started a new PR swing to tell us that things aren't as bad as they seem in Iraq - and who are you going to believe: me or your own eyes. But our own eyes - he says - can't be trusted because the media is so bad. They are so awful.
"So today I'd like to share a concrete example of progress in Iraq that most Americans do not see every day in their newspapers or on their television screens. I'm going to tell you the story of a northern Iraqi city called Tal Afar, which was once a key base of operations for al Qaeda and is today a free city that gives reason for hope for a free Iraq." - Today, President speaking in Ohio.
You should read this speech carefully. Not so much for the content - but for the tone. The tone is that we are children and big daddy is going to tell us a bedtime story that will take away our nightmares. It is written like a fairy tale or a fable.
"So today I'd like to share a concrete example of progress in Iraq"
I'm going to use the power of my office to dominate all the media and tell you what I think you should know and which isn't being seen in your media. [Now it is time for someone from our media to visit Tal Afar and let us know if anything that follows is true. Also - remember - the media won't show any of this, but they will let you tell us about it. If what is told is true, and you haven't seen pictures or read nice stories - there are two reasons for this: media are interested in dog bites man stories. They have never been interested in a story about how peaceful things are. But more to the point - odds are that journalists can't travel to that city without being kidnapped or killed.]
I'm going to tell you the story of a northern Iraqi city called Tal Afar, which was once a key base of operations for al Qaeda and is today a free city that gives reason for hope for a free Iraq.
This sentence is packed. I'm going to tell you the story of a northern Iraqi city called Tal Afar --
I'm not going to jump on the fact that the president didn't pronounce the city the same way twice and this looks like a simple one to pronounce for a westerner - but the phrase, "I'm going to tell you a story..." Yeah, a story - as in a piece of fiction. I wouldn't have let that phrase stay.
"Tal Afar which was once a key base of operations for al Qaeda"
Uh - when was that - before or after the Americans arrived?
"...is today a free city that gives reason for hope for a free Iraq."
In other words, and I take the president at his word - because Tal Afar is now "free" - we have reason to believe the rest of the country will one day be free.
These are false analogies. What you would need to do is give me some statistics regarding free and non-free cities in Iraq. If you tell me that this one city is free - does this say anything about what is going on in the rest of the country?
Picture the confederate president during the civil war saying that things were going well for the south - and that as an example - (fill in your southern town here) was in the hands of the confederates.
What the president believes - what he doesn't believe - those are things of no importance. What is important is that he be able to give realistic appraisals of what is going on - not what he wishes was going on.
USAGE (all from today's speech)
"I believe that as Iraqis continue to see the benefits of liberty, they will gain confidence in their future and they will work to ensure that common purpose trumps narrow sectarianism."
"One of the biggest complaints was the police force, which rarely ventured out of its headquarters. When it did venture, it was mostly to carry out sectarian reprisals."
"Unlike other parts of Iraq, in Tal Afar, the reaction was subdued, with few reports of sectarian violence. "
"The terrorists have not given up in Tal Afar. And they may yet succeed in exploding bombs or provoking acts of sectarian violence."
"A recent television report followed a guy named Captain Jesse Sellers on patrol and described him as a pied piper with crowds of Iraqi children happily chanting his name as he greets locals with the words "Salam alaikim" which means, "Peace be with you."
And - as if speaking in fairytale voice wasn't enough - there is an actual quote from a fairytale: the pied piper.
I expect more fairytales in the following speeches.
Can you say, sectarian?
The word made its debut when the idea that Iraq was on the brink of civil war took hold; or it had plunged over the brink into the abyss.
Sectarian is used to differentiate the two sides from the terrorists, I think. The sectarians are not dead-enders, and they are not terrorists. They are just misguided.
The terrorists are trying, we are told, to create civil war between the Shiites and the Sunnis - and these are the two sects that are plunging into sectarian violence.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect.
- Adhering or confined to the dogmatic limits of a sect or denomination; partisan.
- Narrow-minded; parochial.
The word pops up as our President (who some would say is himself the head of a sectarian administration) has started a new PR swing to tell us that things aren't as bad as they seem in Iraq - and who are you going to believe: me or your own eyes. But our own eyes - he says - can't be trusted because the media is so bad. They are so awful.
"So today I'd like to share a concrete example of progress in Iraq that most Americans do not see every day in their newspapers or on their television screens. I'm going to tell you the story of a northern Iraqi city called Tal Afar, which was once a key base of operations for al Qaeda and is today a free city that gives reason for hope for a free Iraq." - Today, President speaking in Ohio.
You should read this speech carefully. Not so much for the content - but for the tone. The tone is that we are children and big daddy is going to tell us a bedtime story that will take away our nightmares. It is written like a fairy tale or a fable.
"So today I'd like to share a concrete example of progress in Iraq"
I'm going to use the power of my office to dominate all the media and tell you what I think you should know and which isn't being seen in your media. [Now it is time for someone from our media to visit Tal Afar and let us know if anything that follows is true. Also - remember - the media won't show any of this, but they will let you tell us about it. If what is told is true, and you haven't seen pictures or read nice stories - there are two reasons for this: media are interested in dog bites man stories. They have never been interested in a story about how peaceful things are. But more to the point - odds are that journalists can't travel to that city without being kidnapped or killed.]
I'm going to tell you the story of a northern Iraqi city called Tal Afar, which was once a key base of operations for al Qaeda and is today a free city that gives reason for hope for a free Iraq.
This sentence is packed. I'm going to tell you the story of a northern Iraqi city called Tal Afar --
I'm not going to jump on the fact that the president didn't pronounce the city the same way twice and this looks like a simple one to pronounce for a westerner - but the phrase, "I'm going to tell you a story..." Yeah, a story - as in a piece of fiction. I wouldn't have let that phrase stay.
"Tal Afar which was once a key base of operations for al Qaeda"
Uh - when was that - before or after the Americans arrived?
"...is today a free city that gives reason for hope for a free Iraq."
In other words, and I take the president at his word - because Tal Afar is now "free" - we have reason to believe the rest of the country will one day be free.
These are false analogies. What you would need to do is give me some statistics regarding free and non-free cities in Iraq. If you tell me that this one city is free - does this say anything about what is going on in the rest of the country?
Picture the confederate president during the civil war saying that things were going well for the south - and that as an example - (fill in your southern town here) was in the hands of the confederates.
What the president believes - what he doesn't believe - those are things of no importance. What is important is that he be able to give realistic appraisals of what is going on - not what he wishes was going on.
USAGE (all from today's speech)
"I believe that as Iraqis continue to see the benefits of liberty, they will gain confidence in their future and they will work to ensure that common purpose trumps narrow sectarianism."
"One of the biggest complaints was the police force, which rarely ventured out of its headquarters. When it did venture, it was mostly to carry out sectarian reprisals."
"Unlike other parts of Iraq, in Tal Afar, the reaction was subdued, with few reports of sectarian violence. "
"The terrorists have not given up in Tal Afar. And they may yet succeed in exploding bombs or provoking acts of sectarian violence."
"A recent television report followed a guy named Captain Jesse Sellers on patrol and described him as a pied piper with crowds of Iraqi children happily chanting his name as he greets locals with the words "Salam alaikim" which means, "Peace be with you."
And - as if speaking in fairytale voice wasn't enough - there is an actual quote from a fairytale: the pied piper.
I expect more fairytales in the following speeches.
3/17/2006
Have A Leitz Day
Yesterday it was the very pre-aspherical 35mm summicron. It's a sweet lens. Now I'm vintage all the way (except for the film - tri-x - which is modern).
Kiss on Fifth Avenue
This almost looks setup. Flags. Parade. Kiss. But it wasn't. If it had been I would have had the people around the couple doing something interesting. And oh, the lighting is the usual St. Patrick's Day harsh light in New York - with the sun shooting up 5th Avenue and the crowd in shadow. And me without my lens hood yet for the new lens. O my God - just realized - how much will a Leica hood cost for this thing?
Wolf (St. Patty's Day)
I like the wolf kid. I just crammed up against the fence and waited for different people to contrast with the wolf kid. The 35mm just wants two things in the frame. It begs for two. The 50mm lens wants one. The 21mm wants it all baby.
Father & Sons
But don't tell anyone - I began to adore the old-time Summicron lens with its heavy lidded goggles. I began to feel like the old timer wandering through foreign streets with the single best formation of metal and gears in the world. I did. Now, I'm not saying that this was as bad as a Lenny Dykstra who still slept with his bat (so he tells us) when he made it to the bigs - but I like having the M3 near my bed. Maybe the end of the world will happen and by God - I'll be ready! I know how everyone else will be ready - with prayers - and living right - but I'll have my circa 1965 image grabbing Leitz lens - on its M3 launching platform locked and loaded. That's right - don't forget - this summicron 35mm has an actual infinity lock.
Kiss on Fifth Avenue
This almost looks setup. Flags. Parade. Kiss. But it wasn't. If it had been I would have had the people around the couple doing something interesting. And oh, the lighting is the usual St. Patrick's Day harsh light in New York - with the sun shooting up 5th Avenue and the crowd in shadow. And me without my lens hood yet for the new lens. O my God - just realized - how much will a Leica hood cost for this thing?
Wolf (St. Patty's Day)
I like the wolf kid. I just crammed up against the fence and waited for different people to contrast with the wolf kid. The 35mm just wants two things in the frame. It begs for two. The 50mm lens wants one. The 21mm wants it all baby.
Father & Sons
But don't tell anyone - I began to adore the old-time Summicron lens with its heavy lidded goggles. I began to feel like the old timer wandering through foreign streets with the single best formation of metal and gears in the world. I did. Now, I'm not saying that this was as bad as a Lenny Dykstra who still slept with his bat (so he tells us) when he made it to the bigs - but I like having the M3 near my bed. Maybe the end of the world will happen and by God - I'll be ready! I know how everyone else will be ready - with prayers - and living right - but I'll have my circa 1965 image grabbing Leitz lens - on its M3 launching platform locked and loaded. That's right - don't forget - this summicron 35mm has an actual infinity lock.
summicron 35mm
Ended up at Adorama this morning. Looked at a couple of 35mm f/2.0 lenses. But I ended up with the older "goggles" version (f/2.0). Price: $675. (B&H has the same lens - maybe in better condition - listed for $1500). The lens is from 1964 according to the serial number.
And from what I can see, very clean. I don't see the big deal with the goggles, i.e. they're attached to the lens, and they do what they're supposed to do. The viewfinder is still bright and easy to focus. Are these also called bugeyes? If so, I can see why.
The chrome lens even has "an infinity lock" on it. I've never seen a lens with that before, sort of a little detent that you press to release; and I don't expect that I'd ever use it - but the whole setup feels very vintage.
Shot two rolls at the St. Pat's day parade. The camera, even though it looks a little odd - great fun to use with the goggles. Hope the lens is good because I took some good shots and I like this combination. Would hate to have to return it on Sun.
* * *
Update: Developed the first roll. The lens *is* great. Absolutely beautiful.
And from what I can see, very clean. I don't see the big deal with the goggles, i.e. they're attached to the lens, and they do what they're supposed to do. The viewfinder is still bright and easy to focus. Are these also called bugeyes? If so, I can see why.
The chrome lens even has "an infinity lock" on it. I've never seen a lens with that before, sort of a little detent that you press to release; and I don't expect that I'd ever use it - but the whole setup feels very vintage.
Shot two rolls at the St. Pat's day parade. The camera, even though it looks a little odd - great fun to use with the goggles. Hope the lens is good because I took some good shots and I like this combination. Would hate to have to return it on Sun.
* * *
Update: Developed the first roll. The lens *is* great. Absolutely beautiful.
Anna
Anna interviewed me for her photography class and said it was okay if I posted this if it came out okay.
Black Bread for the Soul
Crawled into bed last night and slept like a log. I raised the print prices substantially - and it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling - similar to cognac.
When I awakened - there was a confirmation for a large order from an art buyer that had been in the works for the last two months. No fuss, no muss. No quibbling about prices. Yes - I still gave a substantial discount, but they ordered 18 prints and didn't even want them matted.
Then there were more questions from cyber-drones which I decided to stop answering. That gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling too. Sometimes, you need to protect your ego.
It has been a black couple of months since the start of the new year. Black toxins erupted from my lungs in the form of bronchitis and seemed symbolic of some deeper blackness in my soul.
You know I have a Russian Jewish background and the soul is very big in our thinking. Every culture has its own idea of the soul. The Russian / Jewish soul is made of a rich, black bread with fresh butter. Heavy and yet light at the same time. But when it goes stale - it needs to be tossed out - and replaced with fresh black bread.
A friend that I loaned $4000 to - materialized from my distant past and paid me back with interest. His wife did well in the antique business . He said he was clearning up old debts and let's just say that he arrived just in time to chase whatever bits of stale black soul needed to be sent to the soul vacuum cleaner (sorry but that's what happens if you drag a metaphor around too much).
I should note - for the record - that when I had money - I often gave it away with a grand melodramatic flourish. Nothing like it. Of course, when the money was gone - I could beg with the best of them.
It really is much more gratifying to give than to receive - if you can swing it and if you find the right recipient. These days - my grand gesture is limited to purchasing CDs for John - the neighborhood savant - that uses his body to reserve parking spots for the local garage, and uses his eyes to spot meter maids.
I've been getting him CDs for years now - but with the advent of the iPod - it's a great system. I buy 'em but before I give them to him I transfer the songs (if I like them) to the iPod.
It's always exciting to see what John is going to request next (and his requests never end). He is the perfect person to give to because he expresses no thanks whatsover. When you give him something he immediately asks for something else. I like that.
Anyway - I gave him the Miles Davis CD he wanted and then he asked for - are you ready for this: Tommy James and the Shondells (sp?) - and I can't think of the name. Not, "I think we're alone now." But hooky pooky or something. He says its there first album.
The conversation goes like this. John is walking back and forth reserving an empty parking spot. He spies me and shouts:
JOHN
Dave! Dave! Did you get my CDs yet?
DAVE
I got 'em, John.
I approach him with one CD in my hand. He grabs it. Turns it over several times. A smile flickers - and I mean flickers - across his face.
DAVE
Is that the right one?
JOHN
That's it, Dave. That's it! Can you get me Tommy James for Easter?
DAVE
Tommy James?
JOHN
Tommy James and the Shondells. Can you get that for me, Dave? For Easter.
DAVE
Jeez. When is Easter?
JOHN
April 16th. Easter Sunday. April 16th. I won't be here on Sunday. Could you get it for me on Friday? Friday, April 14th. April 14th.
DAVE
Man. That's only a month away. I don't know.
JOHN
That's okay, Dave. That's okay. Don't get mad. (He smacks himself in the forehead - hard).
When he gets upset - which is often - words won't help. You need to touch him lightly on the arm, which I do.
JOHN
You're a good guy, Dave.
DAVE
But you want Tommy James and the Shondells. Which one?
JOHN
First album. First album. Can you get that for me, Dave. I grew up with that album. I had it on tape but it broke.
DAVE
Okay - maybe not for Easter. Maybe for the next holiday.
JOHN
Cinco de Mayo.
DAVE
Is that okay? May 5th?
JOHN
Cinco de Mayo. That's a Friday. I'll be here on Friday.
DAVE
Okay. You got it.
John shouts as I walk away:
Cinco de Mayo! Tommy James! That's a Friday, Dave.
He does have a calendar in his head. Knows every holiday and what day of the week it falls on.
And he's not a bad guy. And definitely not stupid. The neighborhood is filled with an assortment of what I'd call borderliners. Yes, they live in this upscale, expensive neighborhood - but some of 'em are going to soup kitchens for lunch.
I haven't been to any of the soup kitchens around here, though I've been invited by one of the bottle cleaners for lunch. I wonder if they've got black bread there?
When I awakened - there was a confirmation for a large order from an art buyer that had been in the works for the last two months. No fuss, no muss. No quibbling about prices. Yes - I still gave a substantial discount, but they ordered 18 prints and didn't even want them matted.
Then there were more questions from cyber-drones which I decided to stop answering. That gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling too. Sometimes, you need to protect your ego.
It has been a black couple of months since the start of the new year. Black toxins erupted from my lungs in the form of bronchitis and seemed symbolic of some deeper blackness in my soul.
You know I have a Russian Jewish background and the soul is very big in our thinking. Every culture has its own idea of the soul. The Russian / Jewish soul is made of a rich, black bread with fresh butter. Heavy and yet light at the same time. But when it goes stale - it needs to be tossed out - and replaced with fresh black bread.
A friend that I loaned $4000 to - materialized from my distant past and paid me back with interest. His wife did well in the antique business . He said he was clearning up old debts and let's just say that he arrived just in time to chase whatever bits of stale black soul needed to be sent to the soul vacuum cleaner (sorry but that's what happens if you drag a metaphor around too much).
I should note - for the record - that when I had money - I often gave it away with a grand melodramatic flourish. Nothing like it. Of course, when the money was gone - I could beg with the best of them.
It really is much more gratifying to give than to receive - if you can swing it and if you find the right recipient. These days - my grand gesture is limited to purchasing CDs for John - the neighborhood savant - that uses his body to reserve parking spots for the local garage, and uses his eyes to spot meter maids.
I've been getting him CDs for years now - but with the advent of the iPod - it's a great system. I buy 'em but before I give them to him I transfer the songs (if I like them) to the iPod.
It's always exciting to see what John is going to request next (and his requests never end). He is the perfect person to give to because he expresses no thanks whatsover. When you give him something he immediately asks for something else. I like that.
Anyway - I gave him the Miles Davis CD he wanted and then he asked for - are you ready for this: Tommy James and the Shondells (sp?) - and I can't think of the name. Not, "I think we're alone now." But hooky pooky or something. He says its there first album.
The conversation goes like this. John is walking back and forth reserving an empty parking spot. He spies me and shouts:
JOHN
Dave! Dave! Did you get my CDs yet?
DAVE
I got 'em, John.
I approach him with one CD in my hand. He grabs it. Turns it over several times. A smile flickers - and I mean flickers - across his face.
DAVE
Is that the right one?
JOHN
That's it, Dave. That's it! Can you get me Tommy James for Easter?
DAVE
Tommy James?
JOHN
Tommy James and the Shondells. Can you get that for me, Dave? For Easter.
DAVE
Jeez. When is Easter?
JOHN
April 16th. Easter Sunday. April 16th. I won't be here on Sunday. Could you get it for me on Friday? Friday, April 14th. April 14th.
DAVE
Man. That's only a month away. I don't know.
JOHN
That's okay, Dave. That's okay. Don't get mad. (He smacks himself in the forehead - hard).
When he gets upset - which is often - words won't help. You need to touch him lightly on the arm, which I do.
JOHN
You're a good guy, Dave.
DAVE
But you want Tommy James and the Shondells. Which one?
JOHN
First album. First album. Can you get that for me, Dave. I grew up with that album. I had it on tape but it broke.
DAVE
Okay - maybe not for Easter. Maybe for the next holiday.
JOHN
Cinco de Mayo.
DAVE
Is that okay? May 5th?
JOHN
Cinco de Mayo. That's a Friday. I'll be here on Friday.
DAVE
Okay. You got it.
John shouts as I walk away:
Cinco de Mayo! Tommy James! That's a Friday, Dave.
He does have a calendar in his head. Knows every holiday and what day of the week it falls on.
And he's not a bad guy. And definitely not stupid. The neighborhood is filled with an assortment of what I'd call borderliners. Yes, they live in this upscale, expensive neighborhood - but some of 'em are going to soup kitchens for lunch.
I haven't been to any of the soup kitchens around here, though I've been invited by one of the bottle cleaners for lunch. I wonder if they've got black bread there?
LEITZ AND LEITZ
Read a couple more reviews - the most in-depth one on luminous Landscape - comparing 35mm fast lenses. Here's what is fascinating:
The Leica M 35mm Asp. f1.4 costs ~ $3000 at b&h
The new Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2/0 ~$1000
The Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f1.7 ~ $390
And in terms of quality - that's how you'd rate them. The Biogon and the Ultron are very close wide open. But the Leica stuff is still out of reach.
Anyway - that's for new stuff.
I'm going to hunt around for a used pre-aspherical f2/0 Leica lens and see what they're priced at. If I don't find any of those around, I'll probably go with the Ultron, although my heart is bit partial to the Biogon. I think I still have some fetish about the Zeiss glass in my blood.
Some day - I will write the script for a movie - based on the cameras I've had and loved - sort of a 8 1/2 Fellini type of thing - but instead of women - they'll just be cameras dancing around.
Mint ----
There are plenty of Leitz 35mm f2.0 pre-aspherical lenses around. Going price "in-store" is somewhere between $700 ~ $950
I'll use the lens on the R2A if it's too much of a pain with goggles on the M3. Or the other way around - just dedicate the M3 with goggles for the 35mm. Since I haven't even looked through goggles - I don't really know what the big deal is with them - unless it's that they cut down on the light and make it more difficult to focus / and see what you're shooting - and ruin that nice bright M3 finder. Should know more today as I'm going to hit a couple of stores.
Would like to finish this lens business up today in time for ST. PATRICKS DAILY PARADE
The Leica M 35mm Asp. f1.4 costs ~ $3000 at b&h
The new Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2/0 ~$1000
The Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f1.7 ~ $390
And in terms of quality - that's how you'd rate them. The Biogon and the Ultron are very close wide open. But the Leica stuff is still out of reach.
Anyway - that's for new stuff.
I'm going to hunt around for a used pre-aspherical f2/0 Leica lens and see what they're priced at. If I don't find any of those around, I'll probably go with the Ultron, although my heart is bit partial to the Biogon. I think I still have some fetish about the Zeiss glass in my blood.
Some day - I will write the script for a movie - based on the cameras I've had and loved - sort of a 8 1/2 Fellini type of thing - but instead of women - they'll just be cameras dancing around.
* * *
Exc++++Mint ----
There are plenty of Leitz 35mm f2.0 pre-aspherical lenses around. Going price "in-store" is somewhere between $700 ~ $950
I'll use the lens on the R2A if it's too much of a pain with goggles on the M3. Or the other way around - just dedicate the M3 with goggles for the 35mm. Since I haven't even looked through goggles - I don't really know what the big deal is with them - unless it's that they cut down on the light and make it more difficult to focus / and see what you're shooting - and ruin that nice bright M3 finder. Should know more today as I'm going to hit a couple of stores.
Would like to finish this lens business up today in time for ST. PATRICKS DAILY PARADE
3/15/2006
representation
After my interview for a students school paper (A. I can't believe you travelled four hours to get here!) - I came back to apartment and I've been collecting a list of galleries that I might approach for representation. I'm starting with the "A" list, i.e. agents or galleries that represent the rich and famous and I'll work my way down the "B" and then the "F" list.
Physical Placement
Anyway - I raised the prices last night. I was beginning to feel like the hooker with a heart of gold. After raising the prices I felt better. Now there have been several comments about there being too many photographs in the main store. That, my friends is the easiest thing to solve. There are currently 140 prints. What number should I take it down to? 50? 75? 100? TEN? Are you kidding? Only show 10? egad. That can't be right. MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE THE TOP TWENTY IN THE MAIN GALLERY. AND THEN HAVE A LINK THAT SAYS "MORE..."
Hi Dave,
I am coming to NY this weekend and would be interested in taking a look at your photography. Do you have a gallery? If so, what are the opening hours -Friday would be the most likely day I would visit.
Thanks,
C.G.
* * *
Mr. Beckerman,
I have been visiting your site for a long time and I am wondering if your prints are available in any stores or galleries in Atlanta? Please let me know.
Sincerely,
H.H.
* * *
Are you located in an apartment or a store? I couldn't tell from your site.
J.H.
(Just within the last two days).
Hi Dave,
I am coming to NY this weekend and would be interested in taking a look at your photography. Do you have a gallery? If so, what are the opening hours -Friday would be the most likely day I would visit.
Thanks,
C.G.
* * *
Mr. Beckerman,
I have been visiting your site for a long time and I am wondering if your prints are available in any stores or galleries in Atlanta? Please let me know.
Sincerely,
H.H.
* * *
Are you located in an apartment or a store? I couldn't tell from your site.
J.H.
(Just within the last two days).
3/14/2006
fan mail
Hello,
I'm just emailing you to let you know how much I love your work. I really do love black and white photography and when I searched it on the internet, your site came up. I was looking through all of your photos and there really is something about them that makes you stop and think; every one has its own beauty. They seem to reflect a great deal of simplistic happiness that does still exist, yet many people seem not to see.
Simple things like children playing or walking with a loved one or even standing in the rain. These are the real pleasures that life brings to peoples' lives and I think your work really conveys this. I can see a great deal of my own happiness and of the things that make me happy too. Your photography has somewhat inspired me to search for these things in your own depiction of life.
Yours sincerely,
F.P.
* * *
Yikes. Still no sales. Maybe I should pass the hat as I seem to be so inspiring. Tomorrow a graduate student is coming by to interview me. When sales are slow, I think the best model is to sell (if you can) your prints for big bucks in galleries to people who've got lots of dough and forget about this nickel ante stuff.
You keep the web presence, but you're too big to sell directly over the web. You are now represented by so-and-so gallery.
Do you know that I got three phone calls this week asking if the address on my website was a store?
You can't sell in the galleries and on the web at the same time. Well, you can - but you can't sell at these web prices. Galleries prints - framed - are going to be at least $500 each, probably more. So how can you sell the same print online for $75? Can't do it. I don't know. May be time to do some rethinking.
A few minutes later. Yes. Re-thinking. I know what I'm going to do. (Another crossroads). I'm going to raise the prices on the web so that they are closer to what gallery prices would be - and pursue getting gallery representation. As much as I'm not crazy about the gallery world - I can't see any other way around this web impass. Rather than trying to sell a lot at $75 - I'll see what if anything I can sell at $200. Maybe $250 on the web and $500 in the gallery. Yes - that's what I'm going to go after for the rest of this year. Because frankly, I can't sell enough at $75 a piece to pay the rent. And so I am taking on other jobs: teaching, web design etc. But I would like the prints to pay the way.
I'm just emailing you to let you know how much I love your work. I really do love black and white photography and when I searched it on the internet, your site came up. I was looking through all of your photos and there really is something about them that makes you stop and think; every one has its own beauty. They seem to reflect a great deal of simplistic happiness that does still exist, yet many people seem not to see.
Simple things like children playing or walking with a loved one or even standing in the rain. These are the real pleasures that life brings to peoples' lives and I think your work really conveys this. I can see a great deal of my own happiness and of the things that make me happy too. Your photography has somewhat inspired me to search for these things in your own depiction of life.
Yours sincerely,
F.P.
* * *
Yikes. Still no sales. Maybe I should pass the hat as I seem to be so inspiring. Tomorrow a graduate student is coming by to interview me. When sales are slow, I think the best model is to sell (if you can) your prints for big bucks in galleries to people who've got lots of dough and forget about this nickel ante stuff.
You keep the web presence, but you're too big to sell directly over the web. You are now represented by so-and-so gallery.
Do you know that I got three phone calls this week asking if the address on my website was a store?
You can't sell in the galleries and on the web at the same time. Well, you can - but you can't sell at these web prices. Galleries prints - framed - are going to be at least $500 each, probably more. So how can you sell the same print online for $75? Can't do it. I don't know. May be time to do some rethinking.
A few minutes later. Yes. Re-thinking. I know what I'm going to do. (Another crossroads). I'm going to raise the prices on the web so that they are closer to what gallery prices would be - and pursue getting gallery representation. As much as I'm not crazy about the gallery world - I can't see any other way around this web impass. Rather than trying to sell a lot at $75 - I'll see what if anything I can sell at $200. Maybe $250 on the web and $500 in the gallery. Yes - that's what I'm going to go after for the rest of this year. Because frankly, I can't sell enough at $75 a piece to pay the rent. And so I am taking on other jobs: teaching, web design etc. But I would like the prints to pay the way.
FAT SNOW!
And then it snowed and we had those nice super fat flakes for about 10 minutes:
Fat Snow #1
Matt called me a little later to tell me about the snow - but even with bronchitis I had to at least go out and stand on the corner.
Fat Snow #1
Matt called me a little later to tell me about the snow - but even with bronchitis I had to at least go out and stand on the corner.
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