Can good photographs be commissioned? Four comissioners tell their tales.

Interviewed are Murray Martin (Side Gallery, New Castle), Alex Noble
(Photographers' Gallery, London), Susan Beardmore (Ffotogallery, Cardiff) and
Anna Harding (Camerawork, London). The Side Gallery was the first to use
commissions about ten years ago, and are still doing so. Their example
influenced the Ffotogallery. The main problem is funding. Comparisons are made
with other practices like residencies, bursaries and purchases. Other issues
are the freedom given to the photographer, and the influence the gallery wants
to have on the photographer's practice, and of course the choice of
photographers. Differences do exist between these four commissioning galleries
concerning the amount and form of influence they want to exercise. Most
commissions go to a more documentary type of photography.