An audio mixer who loves photography grows her own community

Professional and novice photographers alike are on even ground in the Facebook group, 'The Gallery.'  Started as a small, fun place to be creative and be recognized by your peers, the FB 'Gallery' group has grown into a online community for photographers to share their creativity.

Who are you?
I am Danna Feintuch, 31 years old, from Brooklyn NY and work as an Audio Mixer for Reality Television.  I've been lucky to work on shows like Survivor, The Apprentice, Real Housewives of NJ & Trading Spouses. I have a huge interest in filmmaking, photography, and a passion for so many things in the industry: camera, sound, editing, writing, music, graphic design and so on...

What is 'The Gallery?'
The Gallery is a photography contest on Facebook where I give out themed assignments, then members send me their photos and I 'hang' them in The Gallery. Lastly, everyone (whether they submitted or not) votes for the one photo they like best.

How did u come up with the idea?
I enjoy taking photos but I found that when wandering my home city, New York, the whole place was just so broad. It made me miss school assignments that helped narrow down the world and focus on one part at a time. So, I decided to make my own assignments and because I'm slightly competitive I thought some friends would want to join me. I never thought it would grow this big. I'm so happy it did.

"This photo won the 1st Gallery - Modes of Transportation by, Sako Pajari. It really impressed me and it also flattered me because it seemed she took the photo FOR the Gallery, not just looking through her collection and finding something." - DF

How many people joined for the first theme?
I received 8 photos for the first Gallery in June of 2008.

What was the first theme?
"Modeling on Modes of Transportation". It started out being "Subway Modeling" and an excuse for me to take a photo against this great red wall I liked in the 49th St. Subway but then I realized not everyone has a subway system, so I made it Modes of Transport.

How has The Gallery grown over time?

The Gallery grew pretty fast and by the 2nd Gallery I received 24 photos for the theme "Silhouettes". I believe it grew initially with most of my friends joining, who are all creative individuals. Then after a couple months, I kept seeing new names of members who were not already my friend. I was so curious about this and would notice that I had mutual friends with these new members. It made me so proud that people were spreading the word and The Gallery was coming up in conversations without me asking people to invite their friends. Eventually, I was getting members joining that I didn't have mutual friends with. I couldn't believe it. I feel even more proud when I meet people and they say to me, "Oh, I know you, you're the Gallery girl!!"  As of January 28th, 2010, there are 700 members! Wow!

/// The Gallery 'Circles' Theme winner, /// photo by Kelly Drew

How do you fit it into your schedule?
Since I run it, It allows me to choose the Due Dates/Door Openings and Door Closings to when I know I'll have time to upload the photos, etc. I've only had to take 2 hiatus' knowing I'd be unreachable. One was when I went on a safari in southern Africa. Since my job allows me to travel (and still have internet connection) I've run the Gallery from: Samoa, Brazil, Gabon, Egypt and more to come.  When choosing the themes I try to pick something that will either motivate people to go out and find or something I know everyone will have around them. At first, I was getting inspiration for theme ideas from the book The Photo Idea Index by, Jim Krause. Now, they just come to me and I have a list of ideas to use for the future.

/// Danna's remote office, in Gabon

Recently, The Gallery teamed up with The Ten Project, a project based on inspiring children to inspire cities. We encouraged members to write their thoughts about cities and send in photos within the theme of cities for a chance to win the first ever Gallery prize. A Flip HD Video Camera! We had a great turn out with so many amazing photos and some really great opinions on cities for the Ten Project.

The Gallery Theme 'RED' /// Photo by Peter Maugeri

The Gallery is a community for people who love to look at the world in different ways and appreciate it. It's a place for professionals and novices to submit and express their appreciation for the photo they like best. One thing I love about the Gallery is that when voting is open, the photos have no names with them, so members can be voting for their friends photos without knowing. In addition, they aren't skewed by looking at one photo, and think because the professional took it, it must be good. The members have their own opinions on what looks good to them.

One of my favorite themes was: "Stories" where I had people send in photos that told a tale in one frame. A friend of mine told me about how he came to make his vote decision and I really enjoyed it. He told me, he and his wife sat down and went through the photos to make up a story for each image. The photo that won his vote was the one that told the longest, in-depth story.

Another favorite of mine is the winner for the Gallery theme, 'Red' by Peter Maugeri. I really liked how the fact that the red is just a splash in the frame. It was nice that the red didn't take over the photo but it was a big part of making it special.  Pete was visiting Acireale, Catalia, Sicily near Mt. Etna, a place where some of his family is from. He was wondering around the area snapping photos when he saw this young girl peeking out of her doorway. He took her photo and she started playing hide and seek with him. After, she ran inside and he thought she was gone but then her grandma peered out the window above and said hello. He explained what happened and the woman invited him in. He took more portraits of the family inside. The young girl's name was Juliana.

dannavision.com
The Gallery group on Facebook

"Here's another favorite that didn't win but was submitted for the theme 'Musicians' I love the colors. After working on the 17th Season of Survivor in Gabon, Africa, I took a safari vacation in southern Africa. While touring through Botswana, we stopped at a grocery store to stock up and this man was playing his guitar outside. I liked his music and it made me pause for a moment and take in where I was." /// photo by Danna Feintuch