Virtual talks definitely have their place — especially when geography is the barrier. But I'd push back gently on scale: a small, curated virtual session where people actually show up mentally is worth far more than a large one where most tune in and drift off. Keep it intimate and you might find the ship hasn't sailed at all
Thanks for the note, Uday -- this is a helpful insight. I have been thinking that keeping something like this small will be critical to making it meaningful. I was thinking 40 people might be the max, but maybe a smaller group would be ideal. What do you think?
More than a specific number, I'd focus on genuine intent to participate - that matters more than headcount. And practically speaking, in an hour-long session, how many people can meaningfully contribute? That's probably your real ceiling.
I go back to the days of Fotolog. That site crashed young. But in its prime, a global community of friends,including professionals, amateurs, educators from all walks of life, was created and has grown and spread over time as most of us transitioned to Flickr and then Instagram, Facebook and our own sites. (I'm still a big fan of Flickr, by the way.) What this traveling community of mutually supportive friends found didn't work was crit groups. We tried. Rather, we cheer each other on. We've had meet ups. In my day job travels I've been able to meet a lot of the people in this community, and there hasn't been a creep in the bunch. Most of us don't come from advanced academic background in art. We studiously avoid academic MFA-speak. But we are generally well educated people in a wide variety of vocations who share an interest in art, in each other's progress and in personal artistic expression using photography. Some have found representation and gallery shows in the U.S and abroad. I know that more people from around the world have seen and commented on my work at Flickr than would ever be exposed to it in a hundred competitions and gallery shows. Yes, some of the work is more important for how it provides a daily window on places in the world that many of us will never visit than it is for any great artistic value. The key word is community.
You have provided a life raft with your own writing and that of other ouu hi otographers and critics. Don’t get too discouraged. You may not hear often enough that what you do is appreciated but it is.
Hey Andy, I've presented before at Frank Meo's Projections. What began as a NYC live gathering before the pandemic went online in 2020 and reached the global audience, it's a great format - presentation followed by discussion - and you can see more info here: https://projectionsnyc.com. The most recent one featured Dave Burnett and Don Pettit a few weeks ago.
While I do often find it harder to connect with the time to participate in live events I think it can be really valuable to witness artists in conversation. I wonder if simple(r) one on one live or prerecorded sessions would also work.
Hi Andy, I love your musings and your introductions to other fine photographers. I can do this, giving it as much time or as little as I choose. But as for sitting through a virtual talk for a finite time, I don't think so. I spend so much time as it is before the computer, post-processing and connecting with others. I prefer to use my time out in the world making images away from the computer.
Hi Andy, I would consider attending a virtual event if the timing is right. I've been thinking about similar topics - the wonderful opportunity to meet interesting people online along with the problems you articulated. I appreciate events where trust is built and interactions are deeper.
I'm interested! I echo another commentor who asks about critique. I've been looking for feedback but it's difficult to find. If you proceed with this, please consider Zoom or another platform with established closed captions for those of us that are deaf/hard-of-hearing.
I say yes, there is for sure a place and time for it. We still curate every 3 month a Virtual Gallery with talk afterwards and we have a steady group that is connecting from all over the world. It's fun and just great to connect with artists and them with each other. Please do!
Andy, we ( my co-curator and I ) pay for a online Gallery space. We have open calls , mostly using Instagram , for Themed Art shows, all mediums. Artists submit and we chose art we want to show. We try to show all but sometimes are limited. Then we curate the show, open up and distribute the link for the online gallery. The weekend after the show opens, we invite the artists for a walk through the gallery and talk after. It all happens on Zoom, I share my screen so we all see the artwork we are taking about. Our meeting is mostly on Saturdays and around noon, so our artists in Europe or Asia can participate and it's not too late for them. We have a steady group, at least 8 in the Zoom meetings, more in the gallery. This was the last one, it is live until we do our new one: https://visit.virtualartgallery.com/kunsthausrozig-traum
Yes, I’d love this. Would this have the opportunity to be treated like crit groups? I’ve been hungry for ongoing feedback, hard to find and establish
I’d distinguish between presentations and feedback sessions. Both are good, but different audiences
I love this idea! I’ve been craving the same thing!
Virtual talks definitely have their place — especially when geography is the barrier. But I'd push back gently on scale: a small, curated virtual session where people actually show up mentally is worth far more than a large one where most tune in and drift off. Keep it intimate and you might find the ship hasn't sailed at all
💯 this
Thanks for the note, Uday -- this is a helpful insight. I have been thinking that keeping something like this small will be critical to making it meaningful. I was thinking 40 people might be the max, but maybe a smaller group would be ideal. What do you think?
More than a specific number, I'd focus on genuine intent to participate - that matters more than headcount. And practically speaking, in an hour-long session, how many people can meaningfully contribute? That's probably your real ceiling.
I would most definitely attend! Online meetups are a godsend with my schedule and commuting.
If there were a more likely than not category I would have picked it. I don't believe in Absolutely! for pretty much anything
Ha! Cheers, Hal.✌️📸
I go back to the days of Fotolog. That site crashed young. But in its prime, a global community of friends,including professionals, amateurs, educators from all walks of life, was created and has grown and spread over time as most of us transitioned to Flickr and then Instagram, Facebook and our own sites. (I'm still a big fan of Flickr, by the way.) What this traveling community of mutually supportive friends found didn't work was crit groups. We tried. Rather, we cheer each other on. We've had meet ups. In my day job travels I've been able to meet a lot of the people in this community, and there hasn't been a creep in the bunch. Most of us don't come from advanced academic background in art. We studiously avoid academic MFA-speak. But we are generally well educated people in a wide variety of vocations who share an interest in art, in each other's progress and in personal artistic expression using photography. Some have found representation and gallery shows in the U.S and abroad. I know that more people from around the world have seen and commented on my work at Flickr than would ever be exposed to it in a hundred competitions and gallery shows. Yes, some of the work is more important for how it provides a daily window on places in the world that many of us will never visit than it is for any great artistic value. The key word is community.
You have provided a life raft with your own writing and that of other ouu hi otographers and critics. Don’t get too discouraged. You may not hear often enough that what you do is appreciated but it is.
Hey Andy, I've presented before at Frank Meo's Projections. What began as a NYC live gathering before the pandemic went online in 2020 and reached the global audience, it's a great format - presentation followed by discussion - and you can see more info here: https://projectionsnyc.com. The most recent one featured Dave Burnett and Don Pettit a few weeks ago.
While I do often find it harder to connect with the time to participate in live events I think it can be really valuable to witness artists in conversation. I wonder if simple(r) one on one live or prerecorded sessions would also work.
i love online events when convenient. and cover interesting work
Hi Andy, I love your musings and your introductions to other fine photographers. I can do this, giving it as much time or as little as I choose. But as for sitting through a virtual talk for a finite time, I don't think so. I spend so much time as it is before the computer, post-processing and connecting with others. I prefer to use my time out in the world making images away from the computer.
That makes complete sense. Thanks for the note, Susan! And thanks for these kind words about FlakPhoto—I appreciate it.
Wonderful opportunity for artists and the community!
Hi Andy, I would consider attending a virtual event if the timing is right. I've been thinking about similar topics - the wonderful opportunity to meet interesting people online along with the problems you articulated. I appreciate events where trust is built and interactions are deeper.
Isn't that why the socials were invented in the first place. Bring people from all over the world together?
It's a fabulous idea.
I'm interested! I echo another commentor who asks about critique. I've been looking for feedback but it's difficult to find. If you proceed with this, please consider Zoom or another platform with established closed captions for those of us that are deaf/hard-of-hearing.
I say yes, there is for sure a place and time for it. We still curate every 3 month a Virtual Gallery with talk afterwards and we have a steady group that is connecting from all over the world. It's fun and just great to connect with artists and them with each other. Please do!
Hey, Connie! Can you tell me more about your program? I’d love to learn more about how you do this.
Andy, we ( my co-curator and I ) pay for a online Gallery space. We have open calls , mostly using Instagram , for Themed Art shows, all mediums. Artists submit and we chose art we want to show. We try to show all but sometimes are limited. Then we curate the show, open up and distribute the link for the online gallery. The weekend after the show opens, we invite the artists for a walk through the gallery and talk after. It all happens on Zoom, I share my screen so we all see the artwork we are taking about. Our meeting is mostly on Saturdays and around noon, so our artists in Europe or Asia can participate and it's not too late for them. We have a steady group, at least 8 in the Zoom meetings, more in the gallery. This was the last one, it is live until we do our new one: https://visit.virtualartgallery.com/kunsthausrozig-traum
Oh and we do it all for free, no fee ever to submit or show
I would love to do this especially with a more focused group.