Our Next Meeting: The ADAY Project Photo Review

I for one would like to see WWIG continue in one form or another, though I will totally miss Susanne's coffee and treats if we change the venue. Let's all consider participating in the ADAY project (link), which is an international effort to document a day in the life of the planet by having anyone and everyone take a photo on May 15 and submit it for potential publication. It is being touted as the day the world photographs itself. Western Wisconsin certainly ought to be represented in any planetary photo book.

 Perhaps we could all get together, if timing with the Project allows, to view and discuss the image we intend to submit or are considering for submission (from a group of possibilities) and get back to talking shop on the subject of photography. The 15th is a Tuesday, so we could meet that evening, if necessary, or Wednesday evening, if that works out better with deadlines for submission, and with people's schedules.

The only problem is where to meet. If Byron would consider hosting the meeting, everything could be a lot simpler, except for the Annises. Otherwise, I am willing try to find a room somewhere in La Crosse to meet. Or, I would  be willing to host at my gallery in Beach Corners, but that is a half hour's drive (about the same distance I usually drive to meetings.) I can make good coffee but have more humble baking skills.

Any thoughts?

Ron Reimer
Ettrick WI
60-525-7104

http://youtu.be/nCYwZRiqyuE

Tomorrow's WWIG Meeting. The Final Episode

Tomorrow's evening's meeting of the WWIG will be the final episode of this interesting and rewarding adventure. So far, I've only received submissions of images for digital projection from 3 members. As T.S. Eliot wrote "this is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper". To those who submitted images, sincere thanks; and to others, it's not too late.

I will post the meeting agenda later today or tomorrow, so if you are undecided about attending please check back. I have tried to make this meeting more entertaining rather  than challenging which seems a more fitting way to fade off into the sunset. Please do join us if you can.
Byron

Door Prize

DOOR PRIZE

As always members are encouraged to submit (by e-mail) digital images or bring prints to our March 7th meeting. To stimulate interest I am offering a chance to win a great door prize in a drawing to those who do-- let me be honest, it's a bribe. Everyone contributing an image will have their name placed into the hat. You don't have to be present at the meeting to win. Good luck.
Byron

New Photo on the Masthead

Jackie Rand won't be at our meeting on March 7th. She and her husband Tom are visiting the Four Corners region, staying in Page, AZ. She did send several images to be shown, however, and they are really wonderful. I could have used any of them for the masthead and selected this one., Rest easy, you will get to see them all at the meeting. I didn't  use my favorite here in order to show you the projected version so that you will get the full impact. I can assure you that it is spectacular.
Byron

Interval Report

It's true... some things never change. For example, my blogging behavior. I have started 3 blogs with a burst of enthusiasm and the best of intentions realizing that the success of any blog depends, more than any other factor, on a steady stream of posts. But in each instance my performance just doesn't live up to my expectations and the assurance that I have routinely given to readers that I will do better in the future. So here we go again. To those of you who have visited this blog expecting to find something new to read and perhaps find your interest in some aspect of photography stimulated, my apologies. Am I promising to do better in the future? No... I know better than to make hollow assurances and won't insult you by doing so, nor will I make any lame excuses. Suffice it to say that I find the whole thing embarrassing.


Let's move on to some news that is more felicitous and, to be perfectly candid, which allows me to preen. I submitted images to B&W+Color magazine a few months ago for their annual color special issue. Three were accepted and published in the April 2012 issue.

 Also Theresa Smerud and I submitted a proposal to the Pump House for a gallery showing for next season and we were accepted. The show will run from July 18, 2013 to August 31st. I have seen recent additions to Theresa's portfolio and, let me tell you, the work is stunning. I am extremely pleased with my own recent work but, frankly, have no idea how others will react to it. While it is nice when one's friends and fellow photographers enjoy looking at one's work, I'm glad that I don't have to sell my prints to make a living. Essentially, this allows me to strive to make images that satisfy my own creative needs without being overly concerned when others don't like them.

I am able to do some serious contemplation of lots of important things while doing long distance driving. On my recent trip, especially on the return leg from Florida, I considered my constantly shifting attitudes about criticism, especially the formalized critiques that have been de rigeur in the amateur photography scene for what seems like forever. Personally, as you know, I don't care to to be part of that process either as a subject of critique or to analyze the work of others. Let me be more precise. I love visual art, especially photographs but my opinions about images, both my own and others, is very subjective. Does the photography provoke some emotion, or appeal as an intellectual construct; does it tell a good story, or better yet create a mystery that encourages one to make up his or her own story? I put a very high value on novelty, in other words, is the image like nothing I've seen before? My own photographs don't stand up very well to scrutiny as far as the technical aspects-- for instance, almost every shot is a little soft which is likely due to my not paying proper attention to details (or seldom using a tripod) but this is unlikely to change because, frankly, I don't care all that much. The  prolific photographer and entrepreneur Trey Ratclif recently responded to some of his critics in an extremely amusing YouTube video which I present here to close this long post which I hope readers will find interesting and, furthermore, willing to offer their reactions to the opinions expressed at some future meeting.

Byron

Next WWIG Meeting

There will be a meeting of the WWIG on Wednesday March 7th. Same time and same place but the meeting format will be substantially different, 

I will present a slideshow of the images I made during and after my recent trips to Cuba and Florida. These images do represent a significant departure from my previous work and demonstrate the new directions in my photography that I intend to pursue. As always those attending are encouraged to bring prints or submit digital images (by e-mail),

For quite some time I have been contemplating how to go forward with the WWIG. The options include carrying on as before, which doesn't work for me, discontinuing the group, or making substantial changes that will reinvigorate the enthusiasm of the members as well as my own interest.  I would like to forge ahead but using a significantly changed format. If you have any interest in seeing continuation of  this organization and participating in planning its future, I strongly encourage you to attend the March 7th meeting.
Byron