Foo - Demoralized to Elated

Today I went into a gallery with my book (read portfolio) and was summerly rejected. Too aggressive, we prefer landscapes, street photography won't sell, etc. I'm used to rejection but it always smarts.
Well, while doing some downloads at the coffee house and I see a fellow and his wife checking out my bike. As the conversation progresses to what each do for a living, it turns out he is the silent owner of the gallery (and a lawyer during the day) from which I was just rejected. He goes through my book and buys three prints right here. Ha! I made no mention I had been there today, and he told me to go to his gallery tomorrow and say he sent me. I love it, top of the world, smug in fact. Felt so good I passed out free prints to the poor souls working behind the counter. Good way to end the day.

Wow, that's excellent. Ironic comeuppance for that short-sighted gallery...love it!

That's awesome! What a great story.

Always feels good when a tough day ends well.

She's right to a point, my images aren't traditional, and I won't make art just because it'll sell. She does have an overhead to consider. Still, it made my day.

Any chance you can share anything with us? I'd imagine you can't share the ones you sold, but maybe some of your other work?

Congratulations, Allen. That's a fantastic story, and the happy ending was because of bicycles.. :)

thats just freakin awesome and as a fellow photographer, im super duper happy and proud for you :D

These are from an afternoon in Florence:

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Arno.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Cops.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Uffizzi.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Mime-1.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Mime-2.jpg

Now that's a cool story if ever I heard one. :beer:


Sounds like an episode of the Twilight Zone (without the creepy scare the kids effect).

:beer:

Too aggressive, we prefer landscapes, street photography won't sell, etc.
Guh. Unless they're really, really, really good and unique, landscapes are about as interesting for me to look at as baby photos. Or sunsets. Or flowers. Well done street photography is about as good as it gets, in my opinion. BTW, I really like that first mime in the robe.

Thanks guys.

From a day in Athens, GA:

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Araby.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Peace-Junkie.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Air.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Examples/Peloton.jpg

Guh. Unless they're really, really, really good and unique, landscapes are about as interesting for me to look at as baby photos. Or sunsets. Or flowers. Well done street photography is about as good as it gets, in my opinion. BTW, I really like that first mime in the robe.

+100000

Once you've seen one mountain scene or sunset, as pretty as they are, they all look about the same.

Street photography each brings its own "life force" to the mind of the viewer.

Do you have a retail/web outlet for your stuff, AllenG? Like deviantart.com?

Apologies if I missed this in another thread.

You do great work, Allen- perhaps you need another market? I'd bet these would sell in Philly and NYC.

excellent work!

Do you have a retail/web outlet for your stuff, AllenG? Like deviantart.com?

Apologies if I missed this in another thread.

Not any longer. I was never happy with the way it looked, constantly changed it and finally tore it down.
I make most of my money from assignments and gallery sales (I try to avoid weddings and babies as much as possible) and realized I did not really need one.
Sooner or later I'll get around to building another.

Those of us who don't live near the galleries you show in would enjoy a way to view your work. :)

reminded me of my undergraduate days in Athens, Allen

Damn. That's uplifting. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your good fortune.

Those of us who don't live near the galleries you show in would enjoy a way to view your work. :)

There is a need.
So, time to start rereading the flash man pages again.

reminded me of my undergraduate days in Athens, Allen

When were you there? I may have been the one serving you beer.

lol...long time ago..73-76

Ok, then my brother may have been serving you other libations then. He was living on Boulevard in the mid 70's

(I'm older than I look. I was slinging drinks after college in NC 16 years ago)

BTW--Allen's closed down a few years ago, but it's being reopened next month, so nothing has really changed since you were there.

boo-yah. and nice pics.