This proposal covers the details of the plan Platinum and Palladium Exhibition in November 2022
Project Description and Overview
My contextual studies essay was based around the role of photography in providing a voice either by the subject or of the subject and how that role has changed over the decades and returned full circle to that of the observer being the voice and judge of the subject through the use of social media. My body of work aimed to provide a voice to the women of a remote rural community in New Zealand. A voice that is over looked by many in favour of the male dominating voice of tractors, cray boats and the 265 steps up to the lighthouse.
This series has been created around the coastal community of Ngawi (pronounced ‘naa-wee’). A small fishing village which is located just five kilometres from Cape Palliser, the southernmost point of New Zealand’s North Island. Known for having more bulldozers per capita than permanent residents this project scratches the hard-male surface and discovers what is holding the community together, the very backbone under the shell.
The location is exposed, with intense and prolonged periods of high winds and heat during the summer months. With very few trees, what kind of person is prepared to endure these conditions? Only the strongest it seems. The strength lies within the softer gender in these locations. They are the ones holding things together, making do and patching up both mentally and physically.
Through a series of Platinum and Palladium images I will explore the local rural community. To discover the real stories behind the Kiwi ‘she’ll be alright’ approach to life. Through eight women I will explore the relationship between the land, space and the community who inhabit it. I have tried to capture a feeling of the location through landscape, portraits and still life, showing the hard conditions and the environment which gives a feeling of isolation, hardship, mental health issues, but also the softer side. The women that through their own strength hold the community together by making do and sticking together to support each other.
Budget
Reoccurring Costs
- Adobe Subscription for website https://ushermichele69.myportfolio.com/ AUD$22.99/month
- WordPress free with OCA but annual upgrade for additional storage $60
One-off costs (already incurred)
- Review by J Sybylla Smith – Black Friday Deal for one hour portfolio review USD $100
- Review by Rohan Hutchinson – AUD $74.
- Additional photography books following reviews $70.
- Additional platinum and palladium technique book – $65
Exhibition Costs
Venue free provided all work is for sale. 40% commission on all sales goes to the exhibition owner. Exhibition will run for one month.
Printing:
Cost per print:
| Platinum and Palladium | Exchange Rate | # prints | per print | ||
| Paper COT320 25 sheets (from GoldStreet) | $59.50 | $1.04 | $61.88 | 25 | $2.48 |
| Palladium 25ml | $365.00 | $1.04 | $379.60 | 100 | $3.80 |
| Platinum 10ml | $220.00 | $1.04 | $228.80 | 40 | $5.72 |
| Ferric Oxalate 50gm (30gm = 50cc) | $59.50 | $1.04 | $61.88 | 83.33 | $0.74 |
| D-EDTA 100g $10 | $10.00 | $10.00 | 60 | $0.17 | |
| Sodium Metabisulphite 1000g $32 | $0.80 | $0.00 | 10 | $0.00 | |
| E-EDTA 2000g $50 | $2.50 | $0.00 | 60 | $0.00 | |
| Negative material ‘Letter size’ B&H price | $27.50 | $1.49 | $40.92 | 20 | $2.05 |
| Ink usage based on : https://www.redrivercatalog.com/rr/epson-surecolor-p900-cost-per-print.html 8×10 MBK | 0.63 | $1.49 | $0.94 | 1 | $0.94 |
| Power | 15min | 24w | $0.15 | 1 | $0.15 |
| Misc freight estimate ($50aud / $50usd) | $126.40 | $126.40 | 25 | $5.06 | |
| $21.09 |
Digital Negatives US$52.90 for 20 sheets exchange rate @ $1.49 = NZD$78.82. One sheet will produce two negatives so $78.82/40= $1.97 per negative
Exhibition space will hold 15 prints. Due to the fact that I’m still learning and new to the process I would assume that I may need to repeat at least 50% of the prints.
Cost for negatives assuming 15 $29.56
Cost for prints assuming 15 plus 50% repeats $485.07
Framing A4 @ $28 $420.00
Total $934.63
There is also a possibility of doing a second exhibition (the offer has been received but no date agreed due to COVID). This would be a mixture of black and white and colour digital images.
Exhibition of up to 24 digital images $155.52
Frames $672.00
Total $827.52
Zine Production
As part of both exhibitions, I would like to provide a zine. A small A5 set of images that would complement the series. I’m currently trying to complete a zine for a New Zealand competition run by a Wellington based photography/developing and printing company. It consists of 36 pages.
Cost for production based on a run of 50, 100GSM paper and saddle-stitched/stapled using an on-line printing company: https://www.bannerexpress.co.nz/a5-self-covering-booklet/
Total $223.10
Bespoke book for the Platinum and Palladium Exhibition
I would like to produce a single bespoke book of individual prints for the exhibition. This would be A4 prints bound in a metal handmade cover. 20 prints:
Cost of digital negatives $39.41
Cost for printing $421.80
Metal cover $19.00
Paint and consumables $50.00
Total $530.21
Presentation and promotion of ‘Inside the Shell’
‘Inside the Shell’ – website
For BoW I generated an on-line website which formed part of my submission for the original draft book. This website forms part of my monthly Adobe subscription and will continue to be developed during SYP and as I develop the zine and complete the platinum and palladium prints I will post to the site.
The exhibitions will also direct viewers to the site and details will be included in the zine and bespoke book.
Exhibition sites
Both locations have an extensive local and national presence on social and art-based media. They offer publicity as part of their offering once you have a date fixed with them. As I have already exhibited with one of the locations before an interview prior to your time is undertaken with both their communications representative and the local media. Flyers are produced as part of their package. The smaller location relies on their supporters and social media to advertise events. They only exhibit local artists but have a wide media presence.
Both venues provide an opening event where I will be expected to provide a brief overview of the project and the pieces on display.
Social Media
I have both Instagram and Facebook, so will promote the work running up to the events on both sites. This will also help to promote the exhibition spaces as well. I will try to encourage friends and followers to share the event on their pages as well.
I’m also a member of the local camera club and I can add events to their website. There are currently over 70 members.
Being a member of the Photographic Society of New Zealand and a regional member of the New Zealand Institute of Photographers means I can also use their platforms to promote the event. This will mean national coverage of the events.
Planning and timeline
The zine for the competition needs to be printed and handed in by the 14th February. I have already produced a number of drafts and Rohan Hutchinson who has provided feedback on my book offered to take a look so I will try and get these across to him by the 29th January.
According to the website for the larger production once finalised this will only take about a week to turn around. The site is an initial estimate and I think I will need to do some additional research around quality and may select a Wellington based printer.
As the frames will be standard frames and as I have used them before I know the quality. The unknown is the date for the digital exhibition as they still need to clear their back log of exhibitions due to lockdown so ordering frames for that is still up in the air. I know that I will need 15 for the November date so I can lock in an order for those in September. This can be brought forward if there any possible supply issues identified.
The digital printing will not take long as I have already discussed this with the printer and they are ready once I have selected the images and the format I want. The platinum and palladium printing will take the longest time however as the space is already set up which images I want to print. This will follow on from the completion of the zine and plan (assignment and course work permitting) to spend the Easter weekend producing the digital negatives and planning for the print run.
Websites
https://ushermichele69.myportfolio.com/
https://www.redrivercatalog.com/rr/epson-surecolor-p900-cost-per-print.html 8×10 MBK
https://www.redrivercatalog.com/rr/epson-surecolor-p900-cost-per-print.html 8×10 MBK
https://www.goldstreetstudios.com.au/
https://www.bannerexpress.co.nz/a5-self-covering-booklet/
https://www.factoryframes.co.nz/shop/Photo-frames/Black-and-white
Michele Usher 