FYI: The Friends of Photography closes for good

The Friends of Photography at the Ansel Adams Center in San Francisco announced on Monday that they will be closing all operations this month due to enormous debt.

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Merg Ross

sorry to hear it. i will forever be in their debt for

publishing "photographs of oregon and the columbia river" by carleton

watkins -one of the finest little books in my collection.

Thanks, Merg. Sad note. It seems nothing lasts for long in the

photography world. I suppose there just aren't enough people who care

about photography. Think of all the great publications and companies

dedicated to photography that are no longer in business. Maybe there

just aren't enough of us.

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Regards,

This is a sad day. They did a lot for photography & photographers,

championing the image and those who produced the images.

Now we better get busy supporting the quality publications, galleries

& educational institutions that we still have before more close their

doors.

Doug-

Thanks for the thoughtful sentiments. Their demise is particularly

poignant to me as my Dad (Donald) was an original trustee in the late

60's and responsible for acquiring the Renger-Patzsch collection for

the Friends in 1971. That was while they were in Carmel, in a small

galery, and if the original concept had prevailed they might still be

in business with a small gallery and occasional publications..

Perhaps not. But the founders, Ansel, Brett, Rosario, Beaumont, Nancy

and others are gone and wih them died the initial concept and

direction.

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You are probably correct in that there are not enough people who care

about photography. But my experience has been that those who do care

do so with a real passion and that makes up for the lack in numbers.

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Regards,

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Merg

I recall becoming a member 15 years ago, and I still have some of the

fine books they sent me. But I have to say the dues structure was

such that all I could ever afford was a basic membership. It struck

me that the Friends must necessarily cater to the well-to-do--who

else could afford it? I get the impression from Merg's comments that

perhaps the organization attempted to grow beyond its means. It is

sad, because their publications were first-rate. I wonder if the

collections owned by the Friends will be given to a museum?

When visiting San Francisco I always tried to peruse their gallery

(when I could find it open). Usually bought a book or two to give

them a little support, and always wondered how they could stay open,

with the amateurish way they seemed to operate. Sorry to see it go,

but not surprised.

Merg--On the 15th of this month I posted a message re: Friends of

Photography on this forum asking for the organization's email address.

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Not their web site, but email address. Would you have that info?

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The FOA is presently having an exhibit on "Modern Japan, 1915-1940". I

am trying to contact the Japanese Photo Historian associated with the

show, Mr. Norihiko Klochko

Merg--On the 15th of this month I posted a message re: Friends of

Photography on this forum asking for the organization's email address.

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Not their web site, but email address. Would you have that info?

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The FOA is presently having an exhibit on "Modern Japan, 1915-1940". I

am trying to contact the Japanese Photo Historian associated with the

show, Mr. Norihiko Klochko--Respectfully, Raymond A. Bleesz

While I hate to see this happen, if my experience with them was the

norm then I'm not suprised. Their membership fees were not affordable

to anyone on a tight budget. I tried a few times to volunteer and no

one even bothered calling me back and the ambience was just a little

to "its our little club here and you are who ?" for my taste. Still

its sad...

Ed-

In their press release they state that the 140 Ansel Adams

photographs are in the process of being sold with the objective that

they remain available for public display. Also, they are having a

collector print sale for the general public on 10/26 and 10/27

at "significant savings".Example, formerly $2,500 now $1,625. The

range is from $240 to $3,000. Represented are many familiar names

including Adams, Baer, Bernhard, Citret, Klett, Mark, Meyerowitz,

Morris, Stackpole etc. If interested call Jodie Klein, Friends

Development Office, (415) 495-7000 ext. 303.

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Regards,

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Merg