Sunday, June 24, 2012

Collectives


"...the good of the whole benefits the one..." It's something I always thought and still do.  Sure there are many rugged individuals who like to say they made it all on their own...they're full of crap. No one really does. We all need each other or better yet, the right others.

Groups, societies, clubs associations, unions etc become the bowl from where we mix the right ingredients to produce a flavor that makes them come back for more.

Photographers are mostly solo people in a solo game. They are a mostly a one man show with a one man approach. In the telephone era we were all one on one. "Let's do lunch," ...that worked well... then, not so much today. The world for an individual is a much bigger place with its doorway on your desk, on your lap and in your cell phone. Welcome to everyone on the planet and with it global competition.

Are you still standing alone? 12 photographers chose not to and MiamiVisualCollective was formed. Its ingredients blended together over years of mutual cooperation and reliance on each others expertise and performance via the groups they belonged to, and the assignments and clients they sometimes crossed over with. Over that time, professional respect and trust became the binding factor that brought them together and gives them the ability to perform and produce quickly when needed.

While each have different strengths, all share the same interests and love of what they do. That love can be seen in their first "collective" exhibit..."Works in Progress."   

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day


I thought I saw my dad. He was standing right in from of me staring me in the face. He seemed slightly different but then again I haven't seen him in two years. There was a lot to catch up on but it caught me at a sleepy moment. The things he said came to mind from the last discussion we had and I heard his voice when I said hello. I remained there frozen going back to a time space in my mind when we went out in the canoe together.

He, as always, voiced his strong opinions on whatever topic or current event was taking place. The government,the president,the economy,religIons and a myriad of people became unending topics . As usual I disagreed , the devil's advocate but that was the norm. I knew he was right most of the time, just had to challenge it to be sure.

It became funny to me until one day in a friendly argument my wife said " You sound just like your father ! "  Last week Macy had a sale and I was happy to pick up a few new shirts. Trying on a favorite choice brought out another , " That looks your father."  I bought it anyway.Over coffee I read about an eastern religion and renewed my subscription to Time magazine.

I thought I saw my dad, but when I reached out to touch him, my hand hit the bathroom mirror. Happy Father's Day dad…. you're still here.... and I like that shirt even more.