Hey Aaron, thanks for sharing. I've also thought about this in the past. My sense and personal experience are that part of what restricts photography to a small community of other photographers and artsy people is the conceptual design of the photo projects and their books.
Before attending the photography MFA, I could 'not read' images well (I have gotten only marginally better), and even less what they meant when sequenced in a series or book. The 'logic' and the project description and narrative are so complex and twisted that only a few have the reference points (or distinctions) to make sense of them.
Books that have sold a large number and thus reached a broader audience tend to be, at least from what I've seen, much simple in their conception. I.e., Portraits by Steve McCurry. Or books that are collections of the 'best of' some category of images.
Suppose what I said before makes sense and is accurate in any significant way. In that case, the problem becomes how you get a photo medium 'expert' to endorse your work. It seems to me that their interests are opposite. You either optimize for the medium or broad audience, but I don't see how you make them both happy.
Hey Aaron, thanks for sharing. I've also thought about this in the past. My sense and personal experience are that part of what restricts photography to a small community of other photographers and artsy people is the conceptual design of the photo projects and their books.
Before attending the photography MFA, I could 'not read' images well (I have gotten only marginally better), and even less what they meant when sequenced in a series or book. The 'logic' and the project description and narrative are so complex and twisted that only a few have the reference points (or distinctions) to make sense of them.
Books that have sold a large number and thus reached a broader audience tend to be, at least from what I've seen, much simple in their conception. I.e., Portraits by Steve McCurry. Or books that are collections of the 'best of' some category of images.
Suppose what I said before makes sense and is accurate in any significant way. In that case, the problem becomes how you get a photo medium 'expert' to endorse your work. It seems to me that their interests are opposite. You either optimize for the medium or broad audience, but I don't see how you make them both happy.
What do you think?
Very interesting and inspiring Aaron. I’m curious about the features of that economic book form that you’re working on for your Island series.
I tend to think the same thing about music, especially about independent diy music. Sometimes I’d like to make art for other people than arty people
Aaron-are you actually printing the books? Or, is it a service that you are using? I'd love to learn more about it.
Thanks!
This is really wonderful Aaron, and gets to the heart of a lot that’s been on my mind lately. Thanks for taking the time to write it.