Lesson #10: Enjoy the moment because you'll blink and it'll be gone!

First of all, this is the night you've been pouring yourself into for the past couple of months, so please, I beg of you, just enjoy it!  But, make sure you know backwards and forwards what is going to happen that night before it happens.  Think of your opening as a live performance, one that you should most definitely practice before it happens.  People will be coming from all walks of life to see your work and you have to be ready.  Know the pieces backwards and forwards.  Have the titles memorized and be prepared for all types of questions.  Here's a few questions I was asked with regards to "A Lady Is...":

How did you come up with this idea?

How did you pick your models?

Why are only three vertical and the rest are horizontal?

What kind of camera did you use?

Why is it called a gelatin silver print?  (I thought it was a photograph)

Again, these are just a sampling of a wide, wide range of questions that I received.  Some were extremely fascinating and generated fabulous discussions while others were mainstream type of questions.  You need to be prepared for both.  (It's a good idea to check out the speech I made that night - it gives a good idea of just how much knowledge you should have about your work before it gets displayed.)  And most importantly -

Lesson #11:  You are why they are here - people are going to want to talk to you - so talk back!  This isn't the time to clam up people!!!

Like I said before, this is a performance that you've orchestrated from start to finish - don't jeopardize the integrity of the work just because you can't talk in public.  Be proud of what you've done - you've accomplished an incredible feat making this night happen!  Show em that you've got the guts to see it through. 

Oh, and a final word on opening night -

Lesson #12:  Hire somebody else to take pictures for you because its the only way you'll be able to make sense of the night later on!

I would personally like to thank Mr. Nic Tan for his help in photographing my opening night.  All pictures on the slideshow to the right were taken by him.