A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation from Michael A. Smith and Paul Chamlee to attend the Photo Review Annual Garden Party to be held at their beautiful home and photographic compound, located in Ottsville PA. The event was described as being “for photographers, collectors, curators, writers, and friends”. So last weekend I went.

Not quite knowing what to expect, the party turned out to be somewhat of an experience that provided further clarity and affirmation for what I have been thinking about for some time now. For that, I am most grateful to have participated!!!

I brought along a portfolio comprised of selected images from “Gallery 1 – People” found on this website. Based on sage advice, I decided to stick with a common theme and not bring too many pictures for participants to look at. I think I brought 12 or 13.

I found a comfortable location to sit and displayed the photograph above as my opening statement.

I mostly sat in my chosen spot, but occasionally I ventured out to peruse what other photographers had brought to show.

Most of what I saw was in color — large and edgy, or large and unexciting (at least to me), … and of course digitally created. There was some other black and white, but what I saw of that was mostly digitally taken and printed. I am sure there must have been some other work done with film but I saw almost nothing during my brief forays from my corner location.

Getting back to my little corner of the world … I found that not many of the attendees were interested in looking at my small (8×10 or less mounted on 14×17 mats) “classic street genre” photographs, as a curator described them.

Those few that did stop by to flip though my mounted pictures were very complimentary. Thank You!

Many will be satisfied with producing what seems to be in vogue now because it may sell or because there is some other reward in knowing you’re “out there”. There is nothing wrong with that and without this there never is change. But is change always better, or more to the point, is it good for change to push classic ways of seeing and presenting into the background? I don’t claim to really know the answer and don’t want to be perceived as crying over spilt milk, but the event truly nailed it for me. It really is best to be true to yourself rather than constantly emulating “what’s in” or constantly searching for the leading edge.

Or as one photographer at the event told me “ trying to satisfy a group of people that live off of photographers but are failed photographers or not photographers themselves”.

Maybe that’s harsh and I am certainly not in a position to know. In fact, I am not here to judge at all, but after a few days of careful introspection I decided what I do know for myself and I’ll bet for many of you too … that it’s best to follow what’s in one’s heart. Satisfy yourself – that’s what really matters. It makes life much simpler and more enjoyable!