Anyone else here a Patreon?

[Crazy Dave]

I’ve been a contributing Patreon for about a year now supporting Gabrielle Motola who was a while back an Olympus Ambassador or similar. We met about five years ago when she delivered a workshop I was organising, probably the best that I’ve seen. Anyhow, of all the contemporary photographers I watch, Gabrielle is my number one favourite. A great photographer and writer and brave too, she rode a Kawasaki motorbike from Stonehenge to another henge in the northeast of Iceland via the Faroes.

I could ramble on but perhaps have a look for yourself: https://www.gabriellemotola.com


I’d be interested to know about anyone you support and the idea of making a financial contribution to people who give so freely often without reward.

David

[MJ224]

That link does not work for me...Be interested to see her work..:-)

[Crazy Dave]

Having a problem with the link Mike, try searching just her name and you’ll find her. Link now fixed.

D

[MJ224]

Works now. Nice set,

[Phill D]

Interesting Dave would that work for this site? what are the benefits over and above regular donations?

[Ian]

Interesting Dave would that work for this site? what are the benefits over and above regular donations?

I have indeed been meaning to look at Patreon - I'll prioritise it now!

Ian

[Crazy Dave]

Phil, I think that it could work in principle. There are tiered benefits but I shouldn't see any problem with just a basic structure. Specifically, Gabrielle Motola is someone that I admire as a photographer but also as a person. I benefit greatly from knowing her and a small monthly sum on my credit card isn't missed. During lockdown all her income from commissions ceased and apparently her Patreon income has just about kept her afloat. I think that supporting an artist cope in hard times is a way of giving back and feels right.

I have been working on a photography project and struggling. A few weeks ago, Gabrielle posted from Patreon the story of an encounter with one of her subjects. It helped me realise that I'm on the right track and helped clear some of the lockdown fog that was hindering me - that is so valuable.

I'd be interested in contributing to this site but for me there's one glaring omission on the Index of topics that inclusion would bolster my interest. It's Photography, not photographs, not challenges, not pics from yesterday's stroll, not software and not the contents of the General Photography Discussion already existing although it would seem a logical place to post. That feed feels like a bit of a dumping ground at the moment, This last paragraph wasn't originally intended when I broached the subject of Patreon, I just wanted to stimulate a new discussion in line with Ian's desire to see the site more relevant to the members.

David

[wornish]

Can you expand on your last paragraph, please? What do you mean by Photography that is currently not covered on here?

[Crazy Dave]

Dave, I hadn't thought through exactly what I want to convey but here goes. Photography for me has been a truly wonderful discovery and I am so grateful for the pleasure and excitement it has given. It has been a journey of discovery through trial and error, research and from a base of ignorance. As the old saying goes, 15 years ago I didn't know a f-stop from a bus stop. I have attended workshops, bought a great many books and researched beyond photography to complement my research. Today for example I have received a book entitled ' Wired to Create', so far unopened. I got that idea from an American photographer Guy Tal who writes about creativity and mindfulness in photography rather than cameras and lenses.

I would like to hear about other people's discoveries, share my own and link up with other photographers who share my field of interest. Book recommendations, where do you look for inspiration, who are your favourite photographers? What blogs do you follow, etc, etc. What lessons can the future take from the past? What about AI in photography? The project I mentioned above is a photo book that I have been planning as a special marker for 2021. At the end as is the custom, I have a list of people that I admire and from whom I can draw knowledge and inspiration. So, here is a shortened version of my list:

Gabrielle Motola. Originally from the U.S. now a British citizen, Gabrielle is perhaps my favourite photographer and writer. A rare mix of intelligence, knowledge, sensitivity and much else. https://www.gabriellemotola.com

Richard Renaldi. An American photographer who accomplishes the rare feat, getting two strangers previously unknown to each other to interact and to be photographed together. His book ‘Touching Strangers’ is one of my favourite books and provides inspiration for new project ideas. https://renaldi.com

Robert Kalman. A contemporary American photographer I found by chance during the 2020 lockdown. Robert uses a 10 x 8 large-format camera that he uses to wonderful effect to capture his fellow New Yorkers. Robert has self-published an impressive portfolio of photography books, I count him as one of my most inspiring discoveries.
https://www.robertkalmanweb.com

Niall McDiarmid. Niall is a British photographer living in London with a broad-ranging talent for capturing people and places. His book ‘Southwestern’ has nuances of my next photographer. https://www.niallmcdiarmid.com

Saul Leiter. No list of favourite photographers should fail to mention this American maestro. Born in 1923, Leiter was an early pioneer of the use of colour, often using out of date film. His book ‘Early Colour’ is one that I treasure above most others. More information here: https://www.howardgreenberg.com/artists/saul-leiter

I could bang on and on but now it's someone else's turn if there is any interest in this line of discussion.

Cheers

David

[wornish]

Now I understand, thanks for sharing. I will certainly follow up on the links.

[moggi1964]

I’ve been a contributing Patreon for about a year now supporting Gabrielle Motola who was a while back an Olympus Ambassador or similar. We met about five years ago when she delivered a workshop I was organising, probably the best that I’ve seen. Anyhow, of all the contemporary photographers I watch, Gabrielle is my number one favourite. A great photographer and writer and brave too, she rode a Kawasaki motorbike from Stonehenge to another henge in the northeast of Iceland via the Faroes.

I could ramble on but perhaps have a look for yourself: https://www.gabriellemotola.com


I’d be interested to know about anyone you support and the idea of making a financial contribution to people who give so freely often without reward.

David

You had me at "....rode a Kawasaki motorbike from Stonehenge to another henge in the northeast of Iceland via the Faroes".

Off to look at her work now