A Dedicated Group of Fine Art Photographers

I'm very lucky. As I continue to step into the world of fine art photography, I am privileged to be a member of group in Houston that meets every month to exchange ideas, share resources, and critique work in progress. The group, Pixels + Silver, includes photographers shooting everything from large format to plastic cameras, and using both digital and analog methods to create prints. We meet in the different studios, workspaces, and homes of members. This critique was held in my studio recently.

Pixels + Silver group critique

Reviewing Portfolios

I was asked to be a guest reviewer for the Houston Photographic Society, which holds regular portfolio review sessions for its members. The bulk of the membership does not work professionally as commercial photographers or fine artists, so I really wasn't sure what I would see in their work or what quality level their presentations would be. 

I was very pleasantly surprised. The members whose work that I saw had put a lot of effort into their editing and presentation. They had come with artist statements, matted prints, and did not have too many prints to review in the time segments. 

It's also nice to feel appreciated - I liked the presentation of their certificate to me in the 4x5 film holder! 

My fellow reviewers at the Houston Photographic Society portfolio review night

My fellow reviewers at the Houston Photographic Society portfolio review night

The Meeting Place at FotoFest

For those who have yet to experience it, the Meeting Place during the FotoFest biennial is where photographers sign up to be reviewed by publishers, gallerists, and collectors. The sessions last four days, and each attendee signs up for time blocks with their preferred reviewers. I didn't get every one of my choices, but I did get most of them. After each review was over, I quickly tried to summarize and write down the comments I received before moving on to the next time block. It's a somewhat exhausting experience; I felt a bit "stripped down" after many of the reviewer sessions, but the experience is invaluable - especially since this great opportunity is right in my back yard!

The tables where the photographers' work is critiqued during their time slot with a reviewer

In between turns with the reviewers, photographers often share their work with other attendees in the waiting area. This is a good way to connect with other artists, many of which travel to Houston from around the globe to attend the Meeting Place.

The stars align to put two guys named Rocky in the same session