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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I am not an artist, is this even possible? How do I go about it?

65 replies

KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 11:46

I have had the closest thing il ever have to an....well the word for a good idea.

Its an idea for an art exhibition, a set of photographs of very beautiful and intimate photos depicting the relationships between family members. I dont want to go into to much detail until ive done it.

If I can manage to create this, how do i share it with the world? i am not an artist at all, i have no links with the art world. how would i get it shown and maybe exhibited?

its the most creative thing to come out of my brain ever, i would really like to make it work if i can

thanks

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tallulahxhunny · 16/03/2011 11:50

what do you mean intimate pics? like porn?

squeakytoy · 16/03/2011 11:56

Do you mean you want to try and sell it?

If you want to share it with the world, put it on Flickr.

lyra41 · 16/03/2011 11:57

no, surely not, I think breast means tender and sweet photos, not porn at all.

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 11:59

no porn!!!

oh the mindset of mumsnetters lol!

tender sweet pictures yes..

id like to have it exhibited publicly, not just online.
I wouldnt mind selling it.....

can you patent or copyright an art work?? i would worry if i put it online others would steal my idea...

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extremepie · 16/03/2011 12:07

My sister is a trainee photographer and has done some really lovely (impromto) photos of me and my son, I'm sure she would take some pics for you if you're anywhere near Watford :)

ShirleyKnot · 16/03/2011 12:12

YABU

nectarina · 16/03/2011 12:13

Have you already taken the pics? Start there, then print them professionally ( presuming you'd want them fairly big), think about framing them. Its unlikely you'd get a gallery to want to exhibit them, so i'd hire a space for one day ( more if you can afford it). Invite friends and collegues, tell the press, buy a couple of bottles of wine and have an opening in the evening. Take photos of the exhibition to document it.
You'll have to pay for everything yourself, but you'll probably find it fun and satisfying.

squeakytoy · 16/03/2011 12:15

You could approach art galleries and ask them if they would like to sell your work. You would have to pay them commission, and probably pay for the space you occupy with your work too. Different galleries will have different methods.

You would have to get samples made up to tout around.

Think of all the places that could sell your goods.

As an unknown photographer, it would be very difficult to get your own "exhibition".. and you should join a local photography club to gain more contacts and participate in their exhibitions.

I should warn you, there is very little that hasnt already been done, and its a very saturated market.

nectarina · 16/03/2011 12:15

Don't get hung up about people stealing your ideas, its boring. Copyright means nothing unless you can afford a lawyer.

FebreezeYourJeans · 16/03/2011 12:15

You might want to read this

I think you need to think very hard about what would make your art different. Photography is a notoriously difficult art form (my bil is a struggling photographic artist) as anyone with a camera and access to photoshop feels that they can do it. Also, what may seem beautiful and intimate to you because you know and love the subjects may not work for a wider audience. You need to have some very straight talking and if necessary, brutal friends.

Finally think v hard about why you want to exhibit; to sell your photos or because your art is important and must be shared (again be v sure that you are not alone in this opinion. There is nothing to stop you hiring a hall, creating some flyers and exhibiting your work for a weekend.

Good luck!

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 12:16

oh no i want to take the pics myself for sure! in fact i might not even need anyone to take them due to the nature!

There is no way I have the money for that at all....maybe il just do te shoot, fuss about with what i need to and reconsider from there

thanks for your replies!

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VinegarTits · 16/03/2011 12:16

i am sure your family snaps are lovely, but what makes you think the rest of the world would be interested? i wouldnt, other peoples family pics dont interest me at all

squeakytoy · 16/03/2011 12:18

Do you have the right equipment to do a photo shoot?

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 12:19

ive never seen any art like this before, and the concept is not one ive come accross before either.

its a really beautiful idea, and because of what it is i would not be able to use any one else in the pics because its so private meaning i would have to star in it myself too!

id love to be able to tell you what it is, but i feel like its my baby until ive at least done it!

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Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 12:22

its not really family snaps like that, the concept behind the photos story is the beautiful thing. its something no one ever sees, even in their own circumstances which makes it so rare and unique

i dont have the equiptment, il need to hire it. and also get my dp to install the items needed to get the shots.

its a mine field, but i think it will be worth it

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squeakytoy · 16/03/2011 12:29

I am a photographer, so trying very hard here to be helpful and not too critical.

You may have some great ideas, but you do also need skills. You cant just hire equipment and take good photos. It really is not that easy!

Tee2072 · 16/03/2011 12:32

Not to crush your dreams, I am having a very hard time imaging anything that you could be thinking of that has never been done before.

Go to the library and find some portraiture books. I'd bet your idea has been done. Whatever it is.

squeakytoy · 16/03/2011 12:33

Search on Flickr, you will probably find it has been done on there too.

nectarina · 16/03/2011 12:41

I don't think it matters whether its been done before, if artists got hung up about that they'd never make anything.
But I agree with squeakytoy that equipment is useless unless you know what you're doing with it. You could start by taking the photos with the equipment you already have (i.e. the camera on your mobile) just to work out your ideas.
i wouldn't even start to think about exhibiting and copyright until the photos even exist.
ignore posters saying that no-one would want to see your photos - chances are they're right, but you should take them for yourself and your own satisfaction.

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 12:42

Its still something i want to pursue, and if it dousnt sell i will still have something amazing at the end of it. i will search now to see if its been done before

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babybarrister · 16/03/2011 12:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 12:47

ive had a look and while there some photos that are sort of like it, there are none that are the same. my idea is definatly a step further!

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solo · 16/03/2011 12:47

It's a lovely idea, but not a new one I'm afraid. I once composed a lot of short poems for a photographer to go with just that type of photo. Not sure they were exhibited, he said they were for a personalised family calender.

Heroine · 16/03/2011 12:48

I'm not an 'artist' per se, but I joined a local art group with a town centre gallery and paid for some space to exhibit some photos - only borke even, but I just though f**k it, I'm going to do this just once, and if people go mental who cares - I introduce myself as the 'bad photographer' :)

I sold one though! biggest rush ever! now they treat me as an artist even tho' I'm patently not! I found it an interesting experience and well worth doing at least once in your life - the ones that sold were not the most original - who cares if an idea is 'totally unique' that understanding of what art should be is for naive people only..

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 16/03/2011 12:48

i wanted one with high traffic.

can you hire cameras? where from?

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