Breaking Through
By Charlie Bones
9 May 2007
"Everyone here does what I do, what I love...only better". These were my initial thoughts as I walked into the San Francisco Commissioned Arts gallery. It's the opening of Breakthrough, a collection of photos submitted by you and I here on Jpg. Its my first time in a room full of photographers and immediately I lean towards self doubt.
They all have bigger cameras, better views and prettier models. Studio space and all the right connections. What am I doing here? These are artists. I am a girl with a camera. I am way out of my league
I don't see the wonder in that we have all been brought together, that we all have one thing in common, our love for photography. I don't see what a treasure it is, to be in the presence of so many like minded individuals.
I decide to stay though, get to know the people. Hope that I just might glean some of their talent and some of their success. It never occurs to me that maybe I'm not the only one there who is not a professional. That maybe I'm in a gallery full of people who...just happen to have cameras.
The space is small and everyone is bumping elbows trying to find their photo up on a wall of thousands. Some can spot it at once while others take moment. I see mine instantly. And it's like a beacon. This is it; I'm finally in a gallery, recognized as a photographer!
It is a 2"x2" thumbnail...I feel famous.
Someone next to me points out their photo and I think, mine is better. Near by other Jpg. Artists are displayed in full color larger prints. Their work is noticed and not hidden among so many other thumbnails on a wall. But still...something in me feels pride and joy that my photo is on that wall.
I think, I am in a room full of people who may or may not do exactly what I do, but better. Their photos are on that wall next to mine. We are all girls and boys with cameras.
We all love the same thing.
