Digital BW, The Print

Hi Tim:

I've visited the Center for Fine Art Photography, and they just built  
a new gallery space and teaching center.

I've also been juror for two of their shows over the last two years,  
and I'm one of their ambassadors, which means that I help them  
promote some of their shows by placing a widget on my home page for  
their calls for entries, and I occasionally write posts on my site,  
imagingbuffet.com, about upcoming events and juried shows. None of  
the ambassadors are paid.

I was very impressed by the quality of the work that was submitted in  
both of the shows I juried. I believe that their mission is a good  
one. Also, my understanding is that they do not publish Camera Arts  
magazine. A subscription is included with membership, and they  
publish winners' images from many of their juried shows in the magazine.

Whether it is worth it to submit an entry to their shows, become a  
member or pay to be in their online galley is really up to you. I  
think that you should look at the costs involved for each item, and  
if you have an image accepted, you should decide if that might help  
your career. Asking others on this list and others is also a good  
idea in my opinion.

My opinion is that the best way to get your work out is to make an  
impressive website of just your work, then promote it by writing  
articles for publications you like, or have articles written about  
you. There are hundreds of "media outlets," from a blog that you can  
write yourself, to your local library, to photo-related blogs and  
podcasts, to The Oprah Winfrey show. I recommend thinking of a  
collection of exhibition images as a new book. If you use that  
analogy, you can better focus on how to promote it.

That's not to say that you should not consider a gallery system like  
the Center's if you want to be part of a "virtual gallery space."  
Some collectors may feel more comfortable buying that way, and  
instead of your own PayPal (or other) shopping cart,  someone else  
will be processing the credit cards. It's like selling a book through  
Amazon, or a song through iTunes instead of through your own website.

However you do it, I think that a strong website and promotion is key.

This article that I wrote about books and giveaways to different  
media may be helpful: http://tinyurl.com/2k4me9
You might consider making a series of posters showcasing your work,  
which can be sent to readers of different photo-related blogs or  
listeners of different shows if they send an e-mail by a specific  
date with a specific word in the subject line.

and this site offers a lot of good PR advice: www.publicityhound.com

Hope that helps,

Andrew

---------------------------------------------------
Andrew Darlow
Editor, The Imaging Buffet
http://www.imagingbuffet.com
Author, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques:
An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers - http:// 
www.inkjettips.com



On Mar 29, 2008, at 3:01 AM, Tim Timmermans wrote:

> CFA...
>
> Anyone here dealt with these folks before? The have regular  
> competitions
> (good fund raising tool) but the level of submissions seem fairly high
> and they offer online galleries and print sale with a subcription.
>
> They also publish Camera Arts Magazine.
>
> I'm considering entering a competition there and considering a
> membership as well. I'm just looking at ways to get my work out to a
> broader audience, but I hate getting scammed.
>
> I just thought I'd put a shout out to see if anyone's had any
> experience with them or has other suggestions about where to promote
> one's work.
>
> I do have the big Brewery Arwalk coming up next week here in L.A. I
> usually do a couple grand in sales at this show with no commissions
> other than a flat $100 donation to the loft that sponsers my exhibit
> space but it really is time to get my work out to an international
> audience if possible so I'm looking for other groovy online outlets
> for image sales
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tim


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