Juror's Statement
Jurying an exhibition during a pandemic about a pandemic is a bit of a meta experience. Removing my mask and washing my hands after a walk, I sit down at my computer to consider work that is about those very things—being confined to home, covering our faces, and keeping sanitized. But truly, the self-quarantining experience is much more layered and psychologically complex than just wearing a mask.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and your responses to this profound moment in our lives. I had my work cut out for me as I culled through over 1,000 images to create this selection. I consider if the work challenges, transports, and delights, and I also consider the show as a whole. And, as the work ultimately ends up in a gallery space, the concern for quality is critical. Was the photograph created as a fine art image or simply a snapshot? Is the image in focus, have the dust spots been removed, was it shot with intention, has the photographer avoided over sharpening, over saturating, or using one too many iPhone apps? Now that everyone owns a camera, it has become critical to stand apart, creating photographs that are not literal or obvious interpretations and bring a level of artistic seeing. Finally, I am not only selecting single images, but also curating a group of photographs into an exhibition that needs variety and a strong point of view.
I thank you for allowing me into your worlds – it was a treat to spend time with your work. You made my job very difficult. And also thank you to the PhotoPlace Gallery for offering opportunities and exposure to so many photographic artists.
Take good care and stay safe.
— Aline Smithson
Call for Entries
For most of us, the last couple of months have brought a dramatic change in habits, involving long periods of time alone or with family. How has that affected you? How have you entertained yourself? Reading, making music, Zooming friends, working from home? We’d love to see what you've been doing, and how you’ve been weathering the storm.
All capture methods and process are welcome.
We are delighted that Aline Smithson will jury this exhibit. She will select 35 images for exhibition in our Middlebury, Vermont gallery and another 35 for our Online Gallery. All 70 images will be reproduced in the exhibition catalog.
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Find complete information about submitting images here.
Information about our printing service and free matting and framing here.
About the Juror
Aline Smithson is best known for her conceptual portraiture, which has been exhibited worldwide, including over 40 solo shows at institutions such as the Griffin Museum of Photography, the Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Shanghai, Lishui, and Pingyqo Festivals in China. Her work is held in a number of public collections and her photographs have been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, PDN (cover), the PDN Photo Annual, Communication Arts Photo Annual, Eyemazing, and Silvershotz magazines.
Aline is the founder and editor-in-chief of “Lenscratch”, a daily journal on photographers and photography.
Visit Aline’s website
Visit Lenscratch
Banner photo: lucianapassaro.com
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