If The Pioneer Nobility Could Do It

So can you.

Some years ago I encountered a book in my local public library that detailed the history of an immigrant family in a country district of WA. No names, no pack drill, but one of the subtitles referred to them as " Pioneer Nobility ".

I laughed at the arrogance of it all, but on reflection I am even more amused that the book was on the shelves. And it lights the way for the rest of us who want to have our photographic work seen.

If you want your art, vision, or political comment to be seen by others you can plaster it on the internet. I do, and in more places than just the Camera Electronic weblog column. I have a readership, and the ones who can do it without moving their lips are particularly welcome. Yet it goes out to fewer people than I would like, and probably far fewer than I suspect.

If I were really successful people would stone my windows. So far - nothing.

What I would suggest is that we need to write more and photograph more for small publications. If someone wants to publish our contributions for us, or use them as part of another work, we should grab the opportunity with both hands. If we have to publish ourselves through the photo book industry, so be it.

Spend a good deal of time making the result as good as you can. Get others involved in editing and inspection, and don't be too precious about criticism. Accept it and benefit from it. When it is ready, make more copies than you first intended.

The company who prints the books will likely cut you a better deal for a dozen copies than three, and don't be afraid to venture that many. Then it will be on to your next step.

Go to your local libraries and see if they will accept, catalogue, and sticker your book. If they do, donate a copy, and see if the State Library system wants more. Go to your local school and see if their library will take a copy. Ditto the local town council, historical society, photographic club, RSL, etc. You are giving away part of yourself, and don't be ashamed of it.

If you are refused, there is always the relatives and Christmas presents angle. Some of yours might be pioneers and occasionally noble...

Text by Richard Stein