New Years Resolutions Update : )

Photos, Fashion, and Films—oh my!

November Update + Confession

Canadian Photographers got Talent!

Last day to enter InFocus! Plus promo code!

THE BIRTH OF A PASSION PROJECT: INFOCUS PHOTO

12 Reasons for Canadian Photographers to Enter InFocus Photo

InFocus 2017 Photographer Hedy Bach

I love sharing the work of other talented artists, writers, musicians and, of course, photographers. Today is a special guest post by one of the 2017 InFocus Photo photographers. I am pleased to introduce Hedy Bach! I first got to know Hedy and her photography two years ago when she submitted and showed her photography at our 2015 InFocus Photo Exhibit and Award. Hedy is a “sloppy Buddhist” and an inspirational woman in the arts. Below you will find a unique guest blog post, entirely in poem, writing about photography. On that note, I pass this post over to Hedy!

HEDY BACH

 

i photograph daily

i write daily

i upload images daily

i use adobe lightroom & photo apps

and i try to work mainly in camera

 

i play with my fujx100s & iphone 6

rarely do i go anywhere without a camera

i like small carry-around cameras

ones i can wear like a necklace

i like to feel obscure

i appreciate tripods but rarely use them

 

in 2011 i began to photograph with intention

before that i made snapshots

as a girl i was always looking

i learned about the surveyed and surveyors

i studied the place of the photograph

i became a visual researcher

i taught fine arts curriculum to education students

and as a researcher i worked with images and story

social justice issues, human rights, and visual ethics matter deeply to me

 

 

line up ~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach

 

when i started my blog sloppybuddhist.com

i wanted to compose posts with my images

i wanted to be behind a camera

try another way of visual story telling

every day i began to photograph beauty with intention

beauty that can be consoling, disturbing, sacred, profane;

it can be exhilarating, appealing, inspiring, chilling.

 

couple ~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach

 

i’m self-taught

i learn from

artists

photographers

photo-journalists

writers

musicians

botanists

bloggers

filmmakers

poets, etc.

 

mostly i learn along the way

i love

seeing

beauty

in ordinary everyday life

i am a member of two local photography clubs

i attend workshops, talks and competitions

i take free on line learning

i have one to one lessons with photography friends

i continue learning about the taking and making of photography.

 

 

resting ~ Lisbon, Portugal ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach

 

i enjoy street photography

i like people

i like walking and talking with people

it’s enlivening

and i love wandering urban environments

 

 

open ~ Dorothy, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach

 

i also love to be alone

walk my dogs

in early mornings just after dark

my magic hour

i love the land

being outside

in a room without a roof

 

 

Physalis peruviana ~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ 2016 by Hedy Bach

 

i photograph in my home

i don’t need to be away to find beauty

of course i enjoy being in front of something different

being in various spaces and places

i am grateful for the opportunities that having a camera has given me.

 

17-01-10

by hedy

 

me elsewhere

 

sloppybuddhist

https://sloppybuddhist.com/

 

hedy bach;s alberta

http://hedybach.tumblr.com/

 

Hedy Bach’s Street Photography: A verb…

https://500px.com/hbach

 

Hedy Bach

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/hedybach

 

Tips from the InFocus Photo Curator

The InFocus Photo Exhibit & Award call for submissions deadline is Sunday, October 30 at midnight. As the curator of InFocus, this is one of my favorite times of year. It’s like Christmas. Throughout the fall, submissions flow in for InFocus and when the deadline passes, I get the honour of viewing and experiencing so much amazing photography. It truly is a great gift.

 

InFocus 001

 

I want to give a little insight into what makes up a successful submission. Everyone does things a little differently, but here are a few helpful tips:

  • I look for photographers that have something to say. When you are thinking about what images you will be submitting, ask yourself: What would the first reaction be from someone who has never seen this photograph before? What am I communicating through my aesthetic and technical choices?
  • Your vision as a photographer must come through in your photographs. “Art talk” never sways me if the work itself is not strong. Your artist statement and descriptions play second fiddle to the photographs. The work must be able to stand alone.
  • That said, I read all artist statements and will especially be turning a keen eye to the answers to the theme “The Future” this year. I do appreciate thoughtful responses. If your words provoke deep reflection, this is a good thing.
  • If you worry your photography is too weird/ordinary/conceptual/abstract/etc. – please DON’T FRET : ) You don’t have to fit a mold. I am looking to experience your unique perspective on the world. That is going to be totally different from the next photographer – and that’s OKAY.
  • Submitting three or more images from totally different styles or subjects is fine – if those are your strongest images. If you don’t have a cohesive group of related photographs, only enter your best work.
  • On the other hand, as the curator, I get a much better sense of your vision if you enter three (or more) photographs that relate. It is often in these instances where I may choose one or two or even three of the images you have entered. These would be displayed together.
  • If you have more than one body of work you want considered, I would recommend entering twice, for example. The first three images in submission 1 will be from your first body of work. The second three images in submission 2 will be from your second body of work. This way I can get the best sense of each grouping. Out of the two entered, only one group of images may be chosen, but this is more likely to result in a successful entry than trying to fit both bodies of work within one submission of three images.
  • It is very important that you know the size of your photograph and the finished framed dimensions as well. I look at the sizing when selecting the images. Knowing the dimensions of the gallery, I make sure I choose the right amount of work so the show does not feel too squishy or too sparse. This is why I would really appreciate you considering these dimensions carefully before entering.
  • I do not have a preference for large pieces over small, or vice versa. When people ask me about the size to print their photos, I always advise that you must first look to the work itself. Does it demand a grand scale? Or would it present better smaller, drawing viewers to step closer? There is not right or wrong answer.

 

infocus-photo-exhibit-2017-alexis-marie-chute-instagram-1

 

If you have other questions, I would love to answer them for you!

 

Just a few days ago I had a great phone call with a student photographer from Ontario. She had lots of relevant questions (many I have answered above) and she is very eager to enter. Her love of photography shone through during our conversation. That is what I am looking for: people who love this creative medium and are exploring it – and the world around them – in their own special ways.

 

With just a few days till the deadline, pop me an email if you have something you’d like to run by me infocus@alexismariechute.com I look forward to hearing from you!

 

Happy submitting!

 

Sincerely,

 

Alexis Marie Chute, InFocus Curator

Perks of Winning the InFocus People’s Choice Award

There are so many awesome perks of participating in InFocus Photo Exhibition in general, such as nation-wide recognition for your work and participation in a group show in a stunning gallery space. But, the exhibition is just one part of InFocus.

How the InFocus People’s Choice Award works:

Every year, InFocus hosts a People’s Choice Award competition. The curator, yours truly, chooses one image from every photographer selected for the show. These images go online for one month. JANUARY. During that time, the public can go online and vote for their favorite. Part of the fun is getting all your family and friends online to cast their votes your way.

Last year, the race to the award title was exciting! We had over 2,000 votes. During the curator talk at the opening reception, VISTEK, the award sponsor, presented the winner with cash to their store.

The winner of the 2016 InFocus Photo People’s Choice Award was Aidan Guerra:

“Eye of the Storm” © Aidan Guerra, InFocus Photo People’s Choice Award winner 2016

“Eye of the Storm” © Aidan Guerra, InFocus Photo People’s Choice Award winner 2016

 

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD PERKS:

This year, there are some really great perks for winning the InFocus Photo People’s Choice Award.

  • You win a cash prize to VISTEKVistek_ InFocus Photo Exhibit Peoples Choice Award
  • You will have your winning image featured as a part of the spread on InFocus in PhotoEd magazine

photoedlogo

 

  • Plus bragging rights of course. The title of “InFocus Photo People’s Choice Award Winner” looks awfully good on a CV.

 

Well, hopefully these awesome perks are more than reason enough to enter InFocus. Truly, this is a wonderful, home-grown exhibition with heaps of national pride and creative flare. Please don’t delay to enter. Here are the details:

ENTER INFOCUS PHOTO:

Enter by October 16, 2016 for regular rate – $25 for 3 images

Extended deadline October 30, 2016 – $35 for 3 images

Enter online at www.infocusphoto.ca/infocus-submission/

Learn more about InFocus at www.InFocusPhoto.ca

Happy submitting!

-AMC