Photo Stop(portunity)
Meeting d(r)eadlines
Last post I wrote about the curve-balls the impending exhibition has thrown my way of late. Without going into details, two of the four of us have had to pull out.
EEEP!
So, what has that meant for the exhibition?
Well, it initially meant disappointment. Not disappointment with the guys who had to pull out, not at all. Stuff happens, things change, priorities shift and life has a way of getting in the way of fun sometimes. I am disappointment that the whimsy we had years ago of showing our work together isn’t going to become an actuality. Well, not this time anyway.
“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”
– Douglas Adams
It’s meant a “flight or fight” response from me.
Flight or fight
Do I fly way? Do I just cut my losses, write off the rent paid, and walk away from the idea, chalking it up as one of the many that were good at the time but in reality probably were never going to happen?
Nah!
Or do I fight? Do to make it happen? Do I suck it up, say, ”screw it” and grab this opportunity whilst it’s here? Do I swallow my self-doubt give it a red-hot crack?
Hell yeah, I do!
It’s also meant an increase in the number of photos we each have to produce. Initial number of exhibitors divided by half the number of initial exhibitors, multiplied by the initial number of photos required equals double. Double. Double? Curse you, lovely mathematics!
With a selection of photos ready to be sent to the printers, do I rummage through old photos, looking for some to fill the void, or do I get back out and shoot some new shots?
“You don’t have to twist my arm to work.”
– Henry Rollins
This was the easiest question to answer of all the ones that this curve-ball has presented. Nothing I’d shot prior to the idea of the exhibition was shot with an exhibition in mind. Nothing was shot with the thought that it might be hanging on a wall, being viewed, scrutinised, judged, critiqued and hopefully enjoyed by others. And digging through past photos, I couldn’t find anything that I was either happy to hang on a wall, or anything that I thought “worked” with the ones I’d already amassed.
Simple. Shoot more.
“Dawn Patrol”
If I hadn’t been thrown this curve-ball, I wouldn’t have been down the beach at “stupid o’clock” last weekend, lying in the cold wet sand, waiting for the sun to rise, and wouldn’t have got this shot. Thank you curve-ball!
Sure, all this unforeseen extra toil to get this exhibition off the ground has impacted on other things, I’m posting less online, I’m struggling to find the time to finish numerous posts here, most of my energy and focus is being monopolised, and my recently tidied Lego room again resembles a war zone, but hopefully, this will pass in the next couple of weeks as I race towards the printer’s d(r)eadline, and it’ll all be worth it come opening night.
*exhales
Breathe! Just take your time and do whats really important first. Hope it turns out great for you
Thank you!
Things have a way of working themselves out at the end. Don’t stress. Enjoy the challenge and reap the rewards after. Judging by your Dawn Patrol image you will have a wonderfully successful exhibition. Good luck.
Thanks Ann. The days of stressing have passed. After the initial freak out, it all looks likes smooth sailing from here until opening night. Hopefully!
I think it’s funny you’ve never equated Instagram posts of your images as “being viewed, scrutinised, judged, critiqued and hopefully enjoyed by others”. Does that mean they were just for fun? Then in the same vein your exhibition should be about the same thing and I’m sure for you it shall be. If nothing else, your posts show your seemingly infinite to find joy in everything you do.
As the “old time” (by today’s standards) movie said, “If you build it, they will come” and come we shall.
Looking forward to seeing your big wall art as much as I look forward to your little screen posts on here and IG.
Thanks mate. Yeah, I’m still trying to get my head around the difference between what I deem “wall or screen” worthy?! Maybe it’s the idea that photos on a wall have a longevity that isn’t apparent when they’re uploaded online? Maybe it’s the idea that people that walk through the gallery door might not be aware of what it is they’re walking into? Nevertheless, it has been fun, and hopefully that shows in the photos on the walls.
Brett,
I want to tell you how much I love this image. It makes me laugh, which in my book is a win. I know from personal experience that the last few weeks running up to a show are never easy, and in this case, a little more bumpy than usual. My only advice is to hang in there. It will be more than worth it when its done. To see your images framed and hung on a wall for all to view is a magical experience. Im excited that you will be able to have that experience too! It is so rare these days when IRL shows are rare and IG et al is how we absorb images.
Take a deep breath and know it will all work out in the end. Thanks for sharing!
Shelly
*exhales
Thanks Shelly. Thanks for your support and encouragement. The final weeks just became a little less stressful thanks to that email I was waiting for. You know the one!
*inhales
So, I can now take my foot off the accelerator a little, review my selections, think about other things that need to be done before opening night, and enjoy the associated craziness!
Yeah!! Im glad it’s working out! This is going to be awesome!!
I’m glad you decided to stick it out and fight! It will be so worth it. Just wish I could hop on over there to see it in person!
Also, sending belated congratulations on officially becoming a SiP member. Your work, words, and perspective are an awesome addition to this fine collective.
Thanks Leila, for both the exhibition support and the SiP welcome! Both things are super exciting. And yes, every time we meet, I have to pinch myself that I’m chatting with, and a part of, this amazing group of people. 😀