RESEARCH AND REFECTION: PHOTOGRAPHER TALKS

/ niki

1854 ACCESS: IN CONVERSATION with Fiona Rogers, Hannah Watson, Shoair Mavlian. 28.4.20

Fiona Rogers: Director of Photography and Operations at Webber Represents and Webber Gallery;

 Hannah Watson: Director of TJ Boulting Gallery

Shoair Mavlian: Director of Photoworks.

The panel  discussed the industry at large and how the photography community is coping with the pandemic: covering programming and initiatives affected by the lockdown, how organisations are responding to and managing at this challenging time, and highlighting initiatives that have come out of the isolation period.

The first couple of weeks people didn’t know how to respond exhibitions like Photo London in May were abandoned, photographers didn’t know what to photograph and sales platforms changed. But now people are reaching out in different ways, from physical exhibitions, sales, networking and are changing to online instead.

Photoworks have responded well as they don’t have a venue and have always had a digital presence, now they have Instagram live because photoworks has a big audience on already – so use what you’ve got. In terms of showing work its about overcoming restrictions and maybe doing so on a budget.

Ideas that came out of this discussion that echoed with me:

  • Now there are no geographical boundaries for talks and sharing which opens so much up
  • Will we get fatigued by what’s being produced? Content and the initiatives are hard to keep up with? I know I’m struggling to keep up with all the online opportunities and free ones at that!
  • Currently we are consuming by being in the middle of the crisis how will the legacy look out of the context later?
  • There have been many different technologies to get to grip with – will we use them later?
  • It is possible that photography has  lost some of its value in its digitalisation and is there a need for tactile experiences as we get fed up of seeing things on screens; however one doesn’t have to replace with another physical and digital can exist together.
  • Possibly something good will happen for creative processes, there’s lots of room for experimentation and this is a time where people will be forgiving and processes can be refined.

This was all excellent food for thought!

Next post: https://nkssite5.photo.blog/category/learning-log-research-and-reflection/zoom-oca-meetings/documentary-hangout-9-4-20/

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