One of the many great things about being in school is access to facilities and equipment. I’m sorely missing the Media Center’s array of A/V equipment, especially the high-end digital cameras, tripods and light kits.

Over the past two years, I shot photos of my work with a digital Canon Rebel EOS. I own the 35 mm version of that same camera, but shooting digitally was like taking light-year leaps in efficiency. I could see the images on my laptop, right there on the copystand, and make corrections on the spot. And there are always corrections…

The digital SLR’s professional features–a manual focus ring, lots of control in manual exposure mode, custom white balance, and a viewfinder (so key!)–made it perfect for shooting crisp, clear, large digital photos of my work.

Unfortunately, the professional features come with a hefty pricetag: $800-900.

Having great images of one’s work is key. A professional photographer would make my work samples perfect, but how could I afford that every 4-6 months, much less during those narrow windows between finishing work and delivering it for exhibition?

So I have an idea: Artist’s Media Center Co-op. It’d be a low-monthly membership place where artists can shoot slides. There’d be a copy stand for small 2D work and maybe some seamless rolls and a light kit or two for large 2D work or 3D work…

Like the idea? Take it. It’s yours. Free. Just let me use the copystand and camera once in a while…