Paul Mobley Portrait Workshop

Paul Mobley, the photographer of the famous American Farmer, contacted me wanting to advertise an upcoming portrait workshop. But because it's coming up so soon and there are only a limited number of slots left, we figured an ad might outlast its utility. So, as a compromise, we traded—one of his prints for my new collection, for this notice.

American Farmer was #6 on Amazon's list of the Ten Best Art/Photography books of 2008. You can see small page spreads of the whole book by going to the official book website and clicking on "Look Inside." The project "...started as a personal project photographing farmers from his home state of Michigan. It grew into a body of work that has led [Paul] on a three-year, nearly 100,000-mile journey capturing farmers from Alaska to Maine."

Paul's workshop is limited to 14 people and still has a few places left. It will take place from March 14th to March 20th, 2010, in Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA, presented under the auspices of the Santa Fe Workshops. Although the concentration is on portraits of any kind, and establishing a connection with subjects, it might be an especially good opportunity for anyone with an ambition to do corporate, editorial, and advertising portraiture—Paul has a distinguished roster of clients.

More information here.

And, in a semi-related question—do people want to know what prints I'm adding to my collection, and what I think of them? I was thinking I could eventually do a recurring type of post called "Added to the Collection" or something like that, giving details about the picture, the photographer, how I found them, how I acquired the print, the quality of the print, and so forth. And of course showing the picture, as well. Would that be something that might interest you, or would it just be tiresome?

Mike

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Comments

[Patrick Dodds]

FWIW, I'd love to know about how you are going about building your collection. I already want to see the print you traded in exchange for putting up information about Paul Mobley's workshop (were I in America, I'd be up for it).

[Simon]

Would that be something (a) that might interest you, or would it (b) just be tiresome?

I choose answer (a)

[R.W. Bloomer]

"Do people want to know what prints I'm adding to my collection, and what I think of them?"
I sure do!

[erlik]

It would be interesting to see what exactly attracted you to a particular photo. And of course, the info about the photographer etc.

[Rob Atkins]

Mike,

An "Added to the Collection" feature would be wonderful. I've been curious since reading your 2010 resolution.

- Rob

[Robin P]

Please tell us all about the prints you acquire, it will be a natural extension to the education that TOP provides.

Cheers, Robin

[Andy Munro]

Heck go for it. This is your blog, I guess we're (I'm) reading it for your views.

Keep up the good work.

Andy

[Pablo González]

Mike,
I think it would be an extremely interesting series of posts. I for one, would care and already crave for your first analysis.

I just wrote my first comment here in several years that I've been visiting daily. I'm that interested.

Un saludo from Spain.

[Alexandre Buisse]

Yes, we very much want to know what prints you're adding and what your motivation was when choosing this particular one!

[Mark Kinsman]

Mike, great idea - and not at all tiresome. It would be great to read the progress of the collection and to view the images as they are added. Be nice to include a shot of the collection as displayed at your place too. Gives us all insight into how someone displays thier collection.

[Simon Grosset]

Please, tell us about the prints in your collection, their back story, and why you like them!
Whether a photographed is liked or not is so, so subjective. It's always interesting to hear exactly why someone likes it.

[John Wright]

Please do. I'm all eyes.

John Wright

[Gilles]

Mike,

I'm curious about what prints you collect, by whatever method, so put one check in the "Added to Collection" box.

[suzanne renee]

Paul Mobley is one of the best photographers working today. His workshops are amazing. I would HIGHLY recommend it. You will learn more in one week than a year in photo school. He's a really nice guy too. Love the Farmer book.

[Ricardo]

Mike,
I've always been fascinated by farming, and will have a close look at that book.
In the future, I'd love to know what you add to your collection and why.
Regards,

[Ed G.]

I'd find "added to the collection" posts interesting. I have no intention of collecting prints,but I'm always interested in what you have to say about photographs and photographers--"added to the collection" would be more of that.

[Mirko Trifunovic]

Hi Mike. Yes, I think that publishing the collection and related stories would be quite interesting and it might prompt other people to start their own.

Mirko

[fjf]

Mike, your book reviews are one of the best aspects of the site so I make the assumption that your observations on the additions to your collection would be equally interesting.

[David Dyer-Bennet]

I may get jealous, but I promise to be polite about it. I'd love to hear how the collection goes!

[Walter Baron]

sounds like a good idea to me...

[Doug Howk]

I'm not a collector of prints - don't have enough space to even show those of mine that I like. I don't collect books either, but rather buy for inspiration (at least that's what I tell my wife when another postal delivery arrives). But I would be interested in hearing/seeing what attracts you to an image. So, please do.

[Mark S.]

Ditto.

[Bahi]

Another vote for listing and details. Looking forward to it.

[Bron]

Another yay vote for what and why. It's why I read the blog, as equipment is fun, but the what and why and who is the TOP.

[Andrew Kelley]

Another vote for option (a). I too would enjoy seeing what and how you assemble your print collection.

[misha]

Of course. I'm always interested in your views.

[Mike Johnston]

I'm sensing a trend developing here....

Mike

[Clayton Jones]

I would enjoy it very much.

Regards,
Clayton

[ctein]

As one who has never even tried to build a coherent collection, I'd love to hear about how it is done. It's a mystery to me.

pax / Ctein

[Dave Karp]

Yes. Please tell us, and why you chose it.

[Grix]

Please, do it...Grix

[oronet commander]

Do people want to know what prints I'm adding to my collection, and what I think of them?

Certainly!

[Arvind]

I'll sure look forward to your choices.

[Gianni Galassi]

It's a very clever idea. Such recurring posts could widen the perspective of our thinking about photography. As humans, we are what we eat. As photogrphy lovers, we are what we buy (or trade for).

[Mike Bailey]

Maybe it's the way you worded the question. Maybe it's that nay-sayers stay away, but a good idea. It's one thing to say a print is good and has all these virtues, but it's another to actually buy it, meaning the print had a connection with the viewer (you) that took it a step farther. This would be particularly of value from someone (you) who has a real history and depth of exposure to photography. It might help a little in understanding why one print/photograph that is very good doesn't compel a purchase, while another that is said to be equally good does!

Mike

[Jose]

Please,do it.I am sure it is a very interesting collection.

[Jim]

No, don't want to see 'em. Your tastes sucks!

Seriously, I would enjoy seeing your choices.

As for American Farmer, I bought it when it first was released. Amazing collection of images and stories, shot in many different ways with different "looks." Highly recommended.

[Danny Chatham]

Mike,
Absolutely! after all this is a PHOTOGRAPHY
site.Bottom line, for every one who enjoys your site its the PHOTOGRAPH.

Danny

[Tom Legrady]

I would be interested to know who you considered interesting enough to actually hang on your wall. I've already discovered a few people through T.O.P., more is better.

[Joe Cameron]

"...giving details about the picture, ........ how I found them, how I acquired the print, the quality of the print, and so forth..."

Mike, I will join the ranks of those very interested in recurring posts on new additions to your collection of prints. But I am MUCH more interested in what moves you - in a personal way - to want each image than I am the details you listed above. They should be included, of course, but your insight is why most of us read TOP. I can imagine something like Szarkowski's Looking at Photographs.

Bring it on!
Joe

[Pat Cooney]

Make that one more vote for "Added to the Collection."

[John]

"do people want to know what prints I'm adding to my collection, and what I think of them?"

Yes!

[Nikhil Ramkarran]

Wanting to see additions to your collection is a foregone conclusion. What I would also like to see (to add my vote) is why that photograph and why that photographer.

[Nicholas Von Staden]

Yes please... and tell us all... with how it was printed..paper, inks, borders everything that makes it worth while and of course the image....thanks for asking us

[Carsten W.]

"Do people want to know what prints I'm adding to my collection, and what I think of them?"

Yes, I would love to!

[Ludovic]

"Tiresome"?!?

How could this ever be so?!?

Bring it on, I say.

[Christopher Lane]

"Would that be something that might interest you"

Yes.

[Christopher Lane]

On second thought...print offer????