Miriello Grafico

My “Creativity Is the New Currency” mantra just received it’s newest chapter, thanks to a friend and accomplished photographer Philipp Rittermann.

I’m probably averaging  3-4 unsolicited e-mail portfolios a day from photographers around the country. Mailing list providers are obviously doing well in this economy. But photographers, as my e-mail volume underscores, are not.

The demand for professional photography, both fine art and commercial, has been trending down for over a year. Even though money isn’t changing hands, that doesn’t mean creativity has stopped flowing. Just like a blocked waterway, it must seek and new route.

When Rittermann was invited to show his work at the Lishui Foto Festival 2009 in China this November, he came up with a very interesting concept to fund his travels and creative projects. Rittermann pre-sold a box collection of new panorama original photos of the China series while it was in the planning stages.  Collectors and past patrons were offered an exclusive opportunity to buy a set of 18 panoramas of the Grand Canal project from Hangzhou China – in advance of the trip, for a reduced cost. A a price of $3600 a set, 15 collectors could pre-purchase the Rittermann China project at far under their post-trip value.

Much like selling stock futures, Rittermann has created a prototype for funding new creative ventures, while also growing his market. The simple model has the ability to be a funding mechanism for many future trips.

I was so keen on the concept and the work coming back from China, I had to support the venture. I can’t wait to see the China Canal Series when it’s ready in summer of 2010.

Creativity don’t stop when currency stops flowing – they just need to take on a new form. Rittermann is pioneering his new route, via China.

Goodbye, sadly in this case.

First the SX-70. Now the rest. As some may know, Polaroid announced that it is no longer manufacturing instant film anymore. They will instead concentrate on TVs, digital cameras, and printers. “We’re trying to reinvent Polaroid so it lives on for the next 30 to 40 years,” said Tom Beaudoin, Polaroid’s president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer. I don’t know about you, but for some reason “Polaroid” and “digital” seem like unlikely bedfellows. It would be the last place I would go for digital photo technology. And that’s exactly why I loved the medium. There is something about the spontaneity, unique color qualities and that instant gratification that only a Polaroid could produce. That, and the stares that you get from everyone around when grabbing a 1970’s Polaroid camera out of your bag to shoot.

Check out www.savepolaroid.com for everything Polaroid, from flickr groups to ways to help spread the love of all things instamatic.