Pictures are Taken, then You Never Look Back?

I know like any photographer out there we take tons of pictures!! Our camera for the most part is by our side at any moment. You may consider that camera more than just a prized possession, I know I do. The camera is an extension of who I am, how I feel, and how I express myself. I'm sure there are those out there that completely agree. Sometimes when you feel like you have nothing at all, or anybody in the world, you know you at least have your camera.

Why do we take photos? I have other posts in here that explain why I take photos. Simply put, I see an instance, and I MUST freeze that moment forever. I want to look back, and remember that day.

After all the beauty of the day out taking hundreds of photos, you head back to our hotel room, or your home, or wherever to upload them to the computer. You than sift through, pick and choose which one you want to prepare for the client, website, or get ready for printing, whatever the case may be. It doesn't end there. Printing the photos? Well than you have to think about the matting, framing, where to hang it, sell it, or what gallery or show to put it in. Still, it doesn't end there. Running your own business? Than there are numbers to crunch, things to log, and organizing that needs to be done.

I say all of this because there is a lot of work involved. Taking the pictures is the fun part. All of the aftermath is what some of us call homework. I do love the end result, but if you're like me you're probably still dong this on the side, or you have at least been in my shoes. I already have a full time job, working way more than 40 hours a week, and sometimes looking back at the photos I took becomes too much of a time issue. I might not have the time to do that whole line of responsibilities. I find time whenever I can, but photos I have taken years ago are still waiting for me to review, edit, and to be shown to the world...or at least the people I care to see them.

I recently have been looking back to the photos I never touched, or given a second glance at, more often. I have to say I am happy I did. Some of my best work is coming out of this. My love for creating panoramas is being expressed more, and more. I recently did two panoramas. Both taken 2 or 3 years ago.  I think I have another one as well, but I need to put my logo on it. I have a few final touches I need to make before posting it to my website. It's another panorama from Alaska that I LOVE, so I have been taking a lot of extra care with it.

Sometimes when I re-visit folders of photos I took years ago and want to put together a panorama I think "Why the hell did you shoot it this way?" I can see my own progression in shooting, as well as getting better at seaming panoramas together, and faster I might add.

There are also photos I have re-visited time and time again, but chose not to edit. Sometimes I look at the series of shots ready to be seamed together for a panorama, and just feel overwhelmed. The "I cant do this" feeling comes into play. Or the "How the hell am I gonna put this together?" Or this one: "How long is this going to take me to edit?" I keep looking, and still not ready to tackle certain photo "Beasts" to word it that way. haha. The ones I just edited were those "Beasts." I was finally at a state of mind, or experience where I felt I was ready to put them together, and post them for everyone to see. I have been told they are more strongest photos to date.

Sometimes things are shelved. Maybe there is a reason. You have to wait for the right moment to be ready to tackle those "Beasts."

Take a look at these, and other panoramas I have taken click here.

Realizing Selling Photos is Not that Easy.

As you may have read I had an Art Show at Mehu Gallery, and it recently just finished about two weeks ago, and I will say I was disappointed.

Before I get a little bit negative I will say that I had a few responsibilities here: 1. Organize the show. My feed back on that was great! A lot of people said I did a really good job in coordinating the show. So, I am very happy about that. It all came together nicely. I was nervous all the way through because it was my first go at this whole art show atmosphere. 2. Be a participating artist. I did in fact show 4 of my photos. It was a really big deal to be seen in the NYC scene.

While those were my sole responsibilities I had other expectations. I wanted to sell at least one of my photos. I didn't meet my expectations. I am being hard on myself for this. I guess when things don't go the way I expect them to I get really bummed about it.

My boyfriend says that I should feel proud of myself because of what I did accomplish. I learned SO MUCH from this whole event.  I couldn't imagine beforehand how much I would learn from all of this.

So, what did sell? The gallery owner did make money. I am satisfied with that as well because he invested in us. He gave us all an opportunity to show our work, and possibly sell. I wanted for him to at least make the money back he invested in us. The entire show had about 25 artists. We each had about 3 to 5 pieces. That makes a little over 100 hundred pieces on the wall. Out of everything there were 5 sales. Thats a little under 5% sold. Once I found this out I was inquiring about average sales for any show in NYC. I was told that this was pretty much normal. Anymore than 5% is doing REALLY well. After that piece of information I was less bummed about not selling anything.

I then realized how much work I'd have to do to actually/probably just sell one photo.

I did have that feeling of being a failure for a bit. There were some really great work displayed, and those didn't even sell! It really put things in perspective for me big time. I have my work cut out for me. Makes me wonder about my original plan to start doing Art festivals. Thats is going to be tough, but I still want to do it.

I do need to get more exposure. All in time. What I do want to do is get all my panoramas together print and frame all of them. I love them!! I am working on one now. They take so much time, but the end result is so great.

There is another show in January-February. I do intend to do something for that. I think we are allowed only one piece though. I am working on a square one. I edited it already, but thinking about framing now. I usually do 8x12 photos, and doing a square piece is challenging for me thats why I am choosing to do that format. I like experimenting with different things. It's good for ya! lol

When I sell my first piece I'm going to be very excited thats for sure.  Selling isn't everything. I have to remember to go by my saying: Don't Chase the Money. You'll be disappointed. 

Art Show Opening Reception.

It finally happened! The art show I have talked about for a few months now is finally all organized, hung, and up for everyone to see! I even got through the reception with the help of my great socially attune boyfriend of course. I still don't know many people from the Salmagundi club, it's a very uncomfortable situation for me. I tend to get really nervous, and become a major introvert when it comes to these types of things where I barely know anyone. But I was a major part of the show happening. I was the organizer of the show, and I am very proud of that. I will say doing the art show, and actually being at meetings, and being actively involved are all steps of getting to know more people in this community. I know it will become easier. It will take a little time, but it will all work out. I feel confident about that.

Outside of being super nervous, and the organizer of the show, I also participated in case some people didn't know. I hung four of my photos. One frame I am not too happy about. The middle one from the line of three. I thought for sure it would work, in my head it did, but than I got the frame...and hated it. I thought that it would grow on me thats why I didn't change the frame, but it didn't grow on me. At all. I think it's my worst one.

I really love the old tin wall that Herve, the gallery owner, has in the gallery. The other side being brick. I hung the other rose on the brink wall. I love the brick! It looked great with my white frame. We initially tried to hang it on the white tin wall, but it looked horrible!  I'm glad that we moved it. The brick compliments the picture well. That's what I love about the hanging process. Something goes better on other walls, some go better with other pictures next to it. It's like a puzzle you have to put together. We were able to get the works of over 20 artists up in this gallery. The Mehu Gallery is not like a regular gallery with just super white walls with nothing else. This gallery has a lot of history and personality for sure. Herve Mehu's Gallery has been in business for 30 years. Amazing. Absolutely amazing to me.

I got a number of compliments on my photographs. I was very happy about that. People really like the roses. I love them too. I loooove my purple rose! I never know what to say except "Thank you" when someone compliments me. I have to work on the small talk. I should bring up where I took it. I took those photographs in a wine vineyard in New Zealand. I'm sure that was a really good point, but I was too nervous to open my mouth. I really gotta work on that. I was also complimented on organizing the show...again I have no idea what to say. I find it simple really. Only because I feel like it wasn't that much of a bother. A ton of emailing, some phone calls had to be made, some visits to the city, and the gallery. When I write it out it does seem like a bit of work, but I never saw it that way. Maybe because it was something I wanted to do. I remember months ago in June, Patricia mentioned she knew Herve had a gap in his calendar before his next show in the fall, and brought it to us (The Junior scholarship group) if we wanted to do a show. Of course we all said we wanted the show. She than said we need someone to organize it. I jumped on it because I knew I wanted to learn more about this whole process. I'm so glad I did this, and stepped up. I hope I am forming a good reputation for myself. I mentioned to my boyfriend how I wouldn't mind just being known by name. "Oh, that Amber Sherman knows how to organize a show, we should work with her again." I def have no problem with that.

The reception was a success, very busy, a lot of artists were there, a lot of members from the Salmagundi Club as well. I was very happy about everything. I guess as an organizer you are always nervous no one is ever going to show up. I always had that anxiety when it came to planning events, my own parties, socials for the co-ed Fraternity I was in, and family gatherings too. I always worry. I know people commit all the time, but than never show up. So, I never trust the word of anyone. I can't help it. People say a lot of stuff. I even had artists commit to being in the show but than back out the day before hanging for this show. Which kind of upset me, but those things will happen of course so, I didn't let it bother me more than a day or two. But will I forget those artists that backed out? Def not. I always take note of those things, but I cant really help that, those things stick out in my mind. People who commit, and keep their word, and than those who are just flakes. I'm sorry, but everything you do regardless of situations are logged in a person's mind. I guess that's a lesson for artists out there. If you commit, follow through! Your reputation will flourish in such a great way, or you'll be known to not be dependable. Which I would hate to be known as that kind of person.


After awhile of being there I started to warm up, and be a little more social, thats why there's wine, right? haha. I got to talk to the President of the Salmagundi Club, and he was very happy with the show! He wants to make this an annual event. That in itself makes me extremely happy. I was the organizer of the first show that is the beginning of a tradition. I love being part of something bigger than me.

All of this has been a great learning experience. I learned so much just from this show alone. I loved the whole experience, even the annoying parts Hahaha. I couldn't do anything without the help of Patricia! She's amazing. She hung most of the show. I, and a few other artists helped Patricia hang the show, but she knows her stuff! I am very grateful for everyone's help.

There is something about seeing your work on the wall of a gallery. I feel like I came so far! This was my plan, and it happened. I am so grateful, and proud of myself. I can't really describe it. Going to the reception makes it a celebration of that, you actually feel the accomplishment, and there's a good closure. That "I made this happen" feeling, and now the day is finally here. It's great. :-) 

Now to get ready for the winter show at Salmagundi. No idea what my role will be for that yet. Let's see what happens.