About this project
Who am I and what am I doing?
For starters my name is Jonathon. Nice to meet you. In short, I am a photographer who is trying to move beyond just making pretty pictures. I want to do something with my work that can potentially make the world a better place. High idea, I know, but doing nothing accomplishes, well, nothing. That's where this project comes in.
With the American Photo Project, I intend to highlight the marginalized American. I want to portray proud American's who are not the idealized thin, attractive WASP. The American Photo Project will include at least twenty subjects. Each photograph will look similar to sample above. The text is to be written in the subjects own hand, and in there home language if it’s something other than English. All photos will be created using traditional photography techniques. So, I will be spending a lot of time in the darkroom, smelling of vinegar.
Keep in mind, the above is a conceptual photo. This is to get the idea and intention of the piece across. I am looking for potential subjects to fill the blank, and pull themselves out of anonymity.
Why am I doing this?
From a young age I was taught that the way a person looks or speaks had nothing to do with what kind of person they were inside. In recent years I have become increasingly thankful for that upbringing, despite the dismay that it now causes me. It truly disturbs me to hear the horrible comments people make based solely on ones race. I can no longer stand idly by, and do nothing.
There exists no reason, other than ignorance, for treating someone as though they were a second-class citizen. I am doing this to illustrate the point that one need not look like the “average American”, whatever that is, to be treated as an equal. I don’t believe a small photo project will change the world, I just want to change a few minds.
Why should you support this?
Well, there are all of the neat gifts: the prints, the post cards, the buttons, the dinner (hint . . . hint). Then there is the real reason to support it; to help further the concept of equality; to help raise the consciousness of the general public. At the very least, your support will help me inspire others to consider just how they look at marginalized groups; at best, your support will help make the world a little better.
Why the money?
Well, for starters, traditional photography is not cheap. I need to purchase film, photo paper, and rent time in a dark room to develop said film, and paper. I also need to take the pictures, which will necessitate studio time; which, means more rental time. I also need to purchase mounting supplies and frames as well as come up with the associated cost of presenting ones artwork. Then there are my subjects. People are scattered all over and I anticipate I will need to travel to meet my subjects, or vice versa, which also costs money. I would also like to have refreshments available for my subjects; photo lights get hot.
In any case, thank you for your time and consideration.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
2
Backers
$30.00
pledged of $2,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on October 30, 2010.
Pledge $1 or more
I will think of you often, and you will get the warm fuzzy feeling one gets when helping someone achieve a goal. I promise.
Pledge $5 or more
You'll receive a postcard announcing the completion of the project with a personal thank you and a project pin.
Pledge $10 or more
You'll get the project postcard, pin and 1 - 8X10 silver gelatin print from the project.
Pledge $25 or more
You'll get the project postcard, pin, your name listed in the artists statement, and 2 - 8X10 silver gelatin prints from the project. At this level, you will also, should you desire, receive a personal phone call from yours truly to say thank you and chat about the project.
Pledge $50 or more
You'll get the project postcard, pin, your name listed in the artists statement, and 4 - 8X10 silver gelatin prints from the project. At this level you'll also get that personal phone call I know everybody is dying for.
Pledge $100 or more
You'll get the postcard, the pin, the thank you in the statement, the phone call and even personal letter of thank you and recognition for your help in the project. You will also receive 3 - 11X14 silver gelatin prints from the project.
Pledge $250 or more
Moving on up, you'll get the postcard, the pin, the thank you in the statement, the phone call and even personal letter of thank you and recognition for your help in the project. You will also receive 6 - 11X14 silver gelatin prints from the project.
Pledge $500 or more
We're really getting into the big time now. For $500 you'll get the postcard, the pin, the thank you in the statement, the phone call and the personal letter of thank you and recognition for your help in the project. This time you'll get 10 - 11X14 silver gelatin prints from the project. That will be a print for half of the subjects in the project. Should you live close enough, or you are willing to travel, you'll get your own private photo session.
Pledge $1,000 or more
Wow, you must feel as committed to this project as I am. At $1,000 you, my worthy patron, will receive the postcard, the pin, the thank you in the statement, the phone call and the personal letter of thank you and recognition for your help in the project. You will receive an 11X14 silver gelatin print of every subject in the project. That's at least twenty prints. You get the same offer on the photo shoot and should you be willing to come to my home town, I'll take you to dinner. I know a great Italian place.
Project By
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Jonathon Miller is a writer and photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jonathon has been both writer and photographer for The Deli SF and the now defunct Fringe Magazine covering topics ranging from band interviews and reviews of live performances to art openings. Jonathon has written bio’s and press releases for multiple Bay Area artists, musicians and craftspeople. He also holds degrees in English, Music and is working towards a degree in Photography.
Jonathon’s photography has been displayed at the Livermore Library in Livermore, Ca. and the Helle’s Belle’s Pinewood Derby and Art Auction fundraiser at The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. He has also served as a judge for the annual Student Photography Show at Las Positas College. He shoots portraits, event coverage, fine art and even the occasional wedding or engagement session.
