Resources for Photographers: The Imaging Buffet

I recently had some correspondence with Andrew Darlow, author of 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques, and founder of ImagingBuffet.com.

As Editorial Director of Digital Imaging Techniques magazine, he wrote and edited numerous articles and reviews on the topics of digital and fine art photography, inkjet printing, and Photoshop techniques. He has lectured and conducted seminars and workshops around the world at photo-related conferences, and for photography organizations and schools, including Advertising Photographers of America (APA), The Center for Fine Art Photography, Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the Arles Photo Festival, Columbia University, The School of Visual Arts, and the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York.

The imaging buffet has been a great resource for me and I would encourage you to check it out if you get the chance.  Andrew keeps a very active blog on the site with tech tips and up-to-date news about photography.  The site also offers a series of informative podcasts on different subjects related to photography.

Andrew was kind enough to post information about my upcoming shows on his blog

KAC: Kansas Mid-Career Artist Fellowship Award Winner

I learned yesterday that I am a recipient of the Kansas Mid-Career Artist Fellowship Award granted by the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Winning an award always makes me feel a little uneasy. I am proud and humbled, because I know there were many talented people that applied for the grant.

As many as 8 Kansas artists will recieve the grant in 2008. The Kansas Mid-Career Artist Fellowship is for creative artists practicing in all artistic media. Mid-Career Fellowship applicants are evaluated across disciplines as a group.

Each year, the Kansas Arts Commission honors Kansas artists with fellowship awards in recognition of excellence in career achievement and potential. Since 1989, 75 Artist Fellowships and 147 Artist Mini-Fellowships have been awarded. Expert panels, consisting of members of the Kansas Arts Commission and arts professionals, select the winners.

Silver Portfolio: New Black and White Photographs

Above Photographs by Daniel W. Coburn:  Hidden Lake (top) Thunder Snow (bottom)

 

These two shots are additions to the Silver Portfolio 

 

I recently made a trip to the flint hills_ needless to say it was like a religious experience.  I made it to the top of a vista about an hour before sundown.  The broomgrass was lit beautifully by the setting sun and I could literally see for miles. The flint hills are truly a treasure to Kansas and the world for that matter.  My photograph “Hidden Lake” is one of the photographs shot that day.

 

Let me know what you think. Comments and critiques are encouraged.  Leave your remarks in the comments section.

For more information about photography and artist self-promotion visit “Rants and Accolades” by Daniel W. Coburn. 

Solo Exhibit: Between Earth and Sky @ Friends University

  

 

Above: Just a few of the over 20 pieces on display in the Whittier Gallery at Friends University.

Please join me for my opening reception and gallery talk at Friends University in Wichita this Friday.  I will speak about the exhibit and my approach for photographing the Kansas landscape.  My talk begins at 6pm.  I hope to see you there.

BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY: PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL W. COBURN
Solo Exhibit @ Whittier Gallery – Riney Fine Arts Center/Friends University Campus
January 14th – February 9th. 
Final Friday reception for the artist – Friday, January 25th – 5:30 – 7:30pm

Friends University
2100 W. University St.
Wichita KS 67213
316-295-5000 iv>

Artist Statements: A Necessary Evil?

I know, I know. I hate them as much as you do.

We’re artists right? We speak through our work. Be it photography, painting, sculpture, dance or music, our message lies in the finished creation. When we’re most successful the piece communicates an emotion or message that can’t be described by words. Isn’t that the point?

It’s for this reason that I’ve always struggled with writing an artist statement. I’ve never written a statement that didn’t somehow seem contrived or forced. I know what I do and why I do it, but getting that across in just a couple of paragraphs has proven to be difficult.

My inspirations and perspectives are always evolving. For this reason I find that I am constantly updating my statement. Maybe this serves me somehow_ since I am always re-evaluating my approach and intentions.

Tips or Tricks?

Below I’ve listed a couple of tricks that have helped me write an artist statement. I know that my artist statement can use some work, and I definitely don’t claim to be an expert on the subject. If you have an approach that has worked for you, or you’d just like to complain about artist statements in general, leave your response in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

1. Have a friend or colleague write about your work – Make sure it’s someone that can detach themselves, and be unbiased about your work. Of course you won’t use your friends writing verbatim, but you may discover something about your work that suprises you. It might help you to verbalize your intentions.

2. Be Genuine – I think it’s important to be honest to yourself and others about what you do. I think the most effective artist statement is a believable one.

3. Don’t be over-technical or use “artspeak.” Most normal people are put off by artspeak and snobbery. It’s important to talk about your process and why it’s important, but most people won’t understand or care about the super-technical aspects of your working method.

4. Be Consistent and Focused – Of course there are many reasons why we create works of art. If you struggle with the specifics, talk about why you are passionate about what you do.

Click here for more involved and informed tips about creating an effective artist statement.

If you can figure all of this out your doing better than I am.

If you’re submitting work for a juried competition, I think it’s important that your statement seem intelligent. All of the spelling and grammar should be correct. Make it short and sweet so the juror can move on to viewing your awesome work.

For more information about photography and artist self promotion visit “Rants and Accolades” by Daniel W. Coburn

Lawrence Photo Alliance

The Group

I’d like to use this post to talk about an organization that has been important to me and my success as a photographer.  The Lawrence Photo Alliance was first formed by photographers in Lawrence, Kansas.  Since it’s inception the group has grown to serve 100 plus members from throughout Kansas, NorthWest Missouri, and SouthEast Nebraska.  We meet on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Lawrence Arts Center between 7 and 9pm.  We typically have between 20 and 50 members at each meeting.  Several of our members are professional photographers that make a living with their cameras, but the majority of our members range from the novice to the advanced enthusiast.  

There is an incredibly positive vibe at each of our gatherings and I typically walk away feeling challenged and refreshed by the interaction within the group.  Our members specialize in all types including traditional 35mm film, medium format, large format, alternative process, and digital photography… I’m sure there a few that I am missing. 

My Experience

I joined the organization about 3 years ago and this amazingly diverse group of people have been an invaluable resource for me.  In fact, the first time I ever publicly exhibited my work was at our annual All Member Show in the Ann Evans Gallery.  The support and knowledge that I have received as a member has fueled my desire and dedication to fine-art photography.  

About a year ago I was elected vice-president and since then I have taken on the role of president.  It has been both a challenging and rewarding experience. Our treasurer and vice president play a very active role in the leadership, so I have plenty of help. It’s been a pleasure watching the group grow and evolve.

Info for Photographers  

If you are a photographer or someone that is just considering buying a camera, I would encourage you to attend one of our meetings as a guest.  We welcome people of all skill levels and photographic backgrounds.  Benefits of membership entitle you to a free gallery on our web page and the privilege to participate in our annual exhibits.  

Photographer Jason Dailey will be the speaker for our February meeting which will take place on Tuesday February 5th from 7-9pm at the Lawrence Arts Center. Jason works full time as a magazine photographer at Sunflower Publications in Lawrence. He also works freelance as a commercial and editiorial photographer. His clients include Business Week, Popular Mechanics, Redbook, Seventeen, and People Magazine. He will speak about how he markets his work to potential clients on a local, regional and national level.

Depression and Anxiety – Inspiration and Ruin

Above photograph by Daniel W. Coburn – This a portrait of my brother and his newborn son Jacob about a year after he finished his last chemotherapy treatment. 

As a child I watched my mother battle depression and anxiety.  This was before television was littered with commercials, advertising for the latest pharmaceutical to treat such disorders.  By the time I had reached my early teens I found myself grappling with similar anxiety problems.  In my mid-twenties my younger brother was diagnosed with cancer and that event sent me spiraling into depression.  I struggled with anxiety surrounding my own health and the health of my family.  I began taking medication to control the emotional mood swings, but was disappointed because the drugs offered little relief and were a detrement to my personality and creativity.  I stopped taking medication for those reasons and because of it’s addictive qualities.

I know many people rely on medication and it’s very important to control severe depression, but it just wasn’t for me.

Gaining an Understanding

Though I’ve never been officially diagnosed with seasonal depression I’ve recognized a pattern which has developed over several years.  My worst bouts typically occur in January through March.  Making this observation has helped me recognize early symptoms and control my feelings.  Better understanding of the disorder has helped me make a big stride towards controlling it.

Links between Creativity and Depression

Being an artist, I learned early on that the underlying cause of my anxiety is closely linked to the root of my creative drive.  The anxiety that can at times be emotionally crippling, also fuels my passion and love for creating art.  At its high points, I’ve enjoyed life to it’s fullest potential and have experienced an almost euphoric state_ like I’m on top of the world.  Down times are equally tragic and almost catastrophic.  I have enjoyed some success as an artist, but my adverse feelings have taken a toll on personal and professional relationships.

My creative energies have helped pull me out depression in the past.  My endeavors as an artist have given me an outlet for surplus energy and regular treks through the wilderness have kept me physically active_ which has helped as well.

Resolution?

As my mother has gotten older, it’s been easier for her to deal the symptoms of her depression and anxiety.  My brother was treated for his cancer and enjoys life with his family.  Now that I am in my thirties, the good times greatly out number the down times.  The effects of the disorder are much more subtle, but I realize symptoms are still there, and they are constantly influencing my decision making.  

CrossRoads: Midwestern Views – Photographic works by Daniel W. Coburn and plein-air paintings by Zak Barnes

Above Photograph: “Winter Wheat” by Daniel W. Coburn
Above Painting: “Morgan” by Zak Barnes

Photographer Daniel Coburn and painter Zak Barnes will showcase a collection of works inspired by the Kansas landscape. The exhibit and sale entitled “Crossroads” will open on January 9th and close on February 29th, 2008. There will be a public reception for the artists on January 18th from 5-7pm.

Zak Barnes grew up in Kansas, splitting his time between Wichita and Lawrence. He has always loved the Flint Hills and currently works out of his studio in Lawrence. Zak works full time painting landscapes of The Flint Hills. Most recently, he won second place at The Augusta (Missouri) 3rd Annual Plein Air event and first place at The PrairieArt 4th Annual Plein Air event in Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, Kansas.

Daniel Coburn has received national and international recognition for his photographic works which capture the spirit of the Kansas landscape and it’s people. His recent photographs capture the impact of a human presence on the landscape. Daniel was a recipient of the Rocky Mountain National Park Artist-In-Residence award in 2007. He is the current president of the Lawrence Photo Alliance.

Crossroads: Midwestern Views
photographic works by Daniel Coburn and paintings in oil by Zak Barnes
January 9 – February 29th, 2008
Public Reception for the Artists – Friday, January 18, 2008 5-7 PM

Corner Bank
4621 W. 6th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
Phone:(785) 838-9400

6 Gallery – Inner Journeys

Above Photograph: “The Calm” by Daniel W. Coburn

I have 2 pieces in an upcoming show at 6 Gallery.  6  Gallery opened a couple of months ago in Lawrence Kansas and has since hosted 3 amazing group exhibits featuring work by the regions best artists.  

Please join me at a public reception for the artists on Friday, January 11th from 7-9 pm.

Inner Journeys
January 11 – February 22
6 Gallery
716 1/2 B Mass Street
Lawrence, KS