Where were you in ‘82?
My young high school self was inadvertently setting the foundation for a career in photography.
I was introduced to our medium by way of the high school yearbook. 35mm SLR automatic cameras were becoming light and compact. I decided on the Nikon EM, a camera with no setting for shutter speed but a quick aperture twist and an in-camera meter that helped this novice take some decent pictures.
We had no darkroom at school, so I never saw the pictures I took. So much for learning on the job. But to my surprise, many were published in the senior yearbook! I don’t know if they were good, but what I did know was that I was one of the only students submitting them. That meant the CHHS 1982 yearbook was full of pictures of my friends!
For a 17-year-old to see his work published was enough for me to know that there may be a future here. Initially deterred by practical parents, I majored in psychology, not photography (…and believe me, a psychology degree is not practical either). It wasn’t until the junior year that I had a chance to take my first real class in the medium.
Little by little, I inched toward putting down the camera to focus on the careers of others by helping them in their creative and professional practices.
…and here I am today, standing in the gallery I started 18 years ago with three high school friends I reconnected with at our 40-year reunion this summer.
There are endless choices that we all make. Our path forward nudges us a little left or right with each one. And yes, sometimes, it’s an about-face.
I found my way through a series of small choices that led me in the direction I was destined to go. For me, buying that camera when I didn’t know a stitch about photography was the initial opening, leading me to where I am now.
What would you like to step into that you know very little about but have a strong interest (or at least curiosity) to pursue?
I’ve been teaching mixed media classes to photographers this last year, and the word I hear most from them is “freeing.” Whether or not they continue to pursue it doesn’t matter. What matters is that it opened them up to possibilities.
It’s cool to fail.
Try something new.
I never saw myself as a writer. But here I am with you now. Take the first step and say yes to something you’ve been thinking about. It’s a cliché, but it’s nearly the end of the year, and there are those resolutions to make.
Think about one that involves expanding your tools and experience in your practice.
What would it be?
What could it be?
Classes & Notes
Applications for the 2023 edition of the Exhibition Lab are now open! Join Elinor Carucci and me in deep-dive critique sessions and work toward an exhibition at Foley Gallery in the summer of 2023.
Deadline: December 4 | thephotocommunity.org
I will offer the History of Contemporary Photography class at ICP starting January 24th. This 8-week class covers the last 60 years of the photograph, emphasizing what’s going on today and why. A 15% discount is offered until November 30th. Use code SPRING15 to apply the discount.
Deadline: November 30 (discounted) / January 22 (full price) | ICP.org
Submissions are now open for the Aperture Portfolio Prize. The Prize aims to identify trends in contemporary photography and highlight artists whose work deserves greater recognition. 25 finalists and cash prizes
Deadline: January 6 | aperture.orgPhotoville New York 2023 will kick off its Opening Weekend on June 3-4, 2023, and will run until June 18, 2023. Submissions for proposals are now open.
Deadline: January 13 | photoville.nyc
Michael Foley opened his gallery in the fall of 2004 after fourteen years of working with notable photography galleries, including the Fraenkel Gallery, Howard Greenberg Gallery, and Yancey Richardson Gallery.
In 2002, Foley continued his interest in educating and working with artists by serving on the School of Visual Arts and International Center of Photography faculty. He teaches and lectures on contemporary photography issues at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In 2020, he founded The Photo Community, which offers classes and commentary on contemporary photography.
Foley lives and works on the Lower East Side of Manhattan with his wife, Maya, and son, Jack.