I
received a phone call from an artist at the Tower Gallery on Sanibel.
She had seen a photo of mine at the All Florida Exhibit and asked if I'd
be interested in joining their artist's co-op. They had an opening for
a photographer. I would have to make a presentation to a jury. I
agreed to do it. The chairman of the jury emailed me and said that they
already have a black and white photographer. She suggested that, to avoid
being in competition with that photographer, I should show them color
photographs. So, I did. I hurriedly had some color photos printed and framed.
For my jury interview I took four black and white photographs (black and whites are what I have on hand) and five brand new in living color. After an amiable,
informal half hour, they told me they had several other artists to
interview and that they would let me know within 24 hours. Then they
helped me load my photos back into the car. 24 hours went by. No
call. 48 hours. Still nothing. When it finally did come, I figured
it was the consolation call. But no; They had interviewed another
photographer and after long discussion and debate they had decided to
ask both of us to join their gallery. The jury chair stressed that this
invitation was if I would show color photographs rather than my black
and whites. With some reticence, I agreed. So, now I have about a week to build an
inventory of color prints.
These are old photographs. Two were made on film. The most recent was made in 2009. My self identity as a photographer, as The Photographist, is as a black and white photographer. What have I gotten myself into?
