Is Substack a curatorial platform?
Reimagining my newsletter for photography exhibition
How’s everybody doing?
I'm good. But it has been a while since I've written — apologies for the radio silence. I was in Philadelphia last week and planned to drop this post on Saturday, but this incredible weather swept through Madison the past few days, and we spent the entire time doing chores outside, cleaning the house, and reading by the fire. That was the right move, obviously. It won't be long, and I'll be shoveling my sidewalk!
Last time, I focused on my increasing anxieties about Instagram's censorship algorithms. If you missed it, you can read it here:
That piece seemed to strike a chord, and many of you responded with sentiments that paralleled my own. I appreciated your comments because they tell me something is brewing in photoland and that I'm not alone. One of my readers, a photography educator, emailed the other day:
I can see that you're struggling with what Instagram is, and I've certainly stepped my posting back as I work on projects in my own time, and don't worry about sharing everything on there. I still do love your daily Instagram pictures, though, and I make my students follow it every year to get good photography in their feeds.
Clearly, IG is here to stay — for the foreseeable future, anyway. I'm sticking around, but the vibe is different. I don't know about you, but I'm wary of showing anything that might trigger the IG police. Today's featured photo, the one up top, by the fantastic photographer Amy Woodward caught my eye the other morning. It's a lovely picture — mother and child in the wild; a similar image to the Wynn Bullock photograph I wrote about last week. Amy always posts these kinds of pictures on her feed; I don't know how she gets away with it! But I couldn't bring myself to share it in my Stories because I can't tell what's going to flag the AI censors, and I don't want to risk losing my account.
It's an awful feeling — the fear of being deleted.
Moving forward, I plan to experiment with Substack as a curatorial platform. I'm not entirely sure how that will look, but I want you to email me with submissions anytime. I'm developing a portraiture issue, and I've been brainstorming a "Pictures of the Week" feature. In addition to writing here, I'll highlight the exciting work I see so you can learn more about these artists in a quiet space without ads or algorithms.
If you make pictures, I want to hear from you! Please email me anytime.
Okay, that’s all for now. I’ve rounded up some of the good stuff I’ve been looking at the past few days. Hopefully, something catches your eye. 📸
Do you read Black Is Magazine? Lia J. Latty launched it a few years ago, and it's a constant source of inspiration. I wasn't familiar with photographer Mumbi Muturi, and Lia's conversation with her is an excellent introduction to her work. Check it out.
It's cool to see art critics and curators embracing Substack. One of my new favorites is Emmanuel Iduma's Tender Photo newsletter, which focuses on African photography. I think you’ll dig it.
Book folks: The Luupe is accepting submissions for its annual year-end photobook showcase — the deadline is November 1. This, too: they're hosting a virtual SEO for Creators event on October 27. I'm giving away 5 free passes on my Instagram this week. Watch @FlakPhoto for details.
We're all Lynsey Addario fans, right? (I still need to read her book.) Reporter Jessica Bennett interviewed the Pulitzer-winning photojournalist on the occasion of her retrospective at the School of Visual Arts. Read this!
Finally, the poet and art critic Peter Schjeldahl died on October 21. I'm sure many of you are familiar with his writing. David Remnick published a lovely remembrance last week. A good read for those unfamiliar with the man and his work. Rest in peace, sir.
Thank you for linking to David Remnick's eulogy of Peter Schjeldahl, who dreamed up an "adamantine conundrum."
The Lynsey Addario book (It’s What I Do) is a great read. Some great compelling stories.