A Sense of Place

Juror's Statement

"For this exhibit, “a sense of place” is an understanding of the essence of a place as seen through the eyes of the photographer. Using light, composition and content, the photographer evokes a deeper understanding of place by selecting details so that the viewer knows how it smells and feels and sounds there — what it’s like to stand where the photographer stood."

I used this guidance in trying to choose works that answered the call. I also took liberties using my own personal ideas about place.

When one begins to digest the concept of place, one must consider the inhabitants of the land as well and those places that are connected to it by migratory birds and animals like the salmon, the swallows and the turtle doves.

In thinking about a sense of place, many looked for widening skies, the poetry of tides and light as well as a communion of man to the earth, sea, sky, along with a dash of an obsession with the wind. I personally see place as a buildup of all of these observations and liken it to uncovering a secret in interstitial time with a sort of detachment as we wait for something to happen.

Christopher Isherwood in his “Goodbye to Berlin” wrote, “I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Someday, all this will have to be developed, fixed and carefully printed.”

Thank you to PhotoPlace Gallery and to all of the photographers who submitted to “A Sense of Place” and for allowing me the opportunity to observe all of your works that I will embed in my memory for another day.

           — Paula Tognarelli

Call for Entries

For this exhibit, “a sense of place” is an understanding of the essence of a place as seen through the eyes of the photographer. Using light, composition and content, the photographer evokes a deeper understanding of place by selecting details so that the viewer knows how it smells and feels and sounds there — what it’s like to stand where the photographer stood.

We are seeking well-crafted images that communicate the essence of a place — what it’s like to be there. These images will move us, perhaps tell us stories, and help us understand what the artist found special about this particular place in the world.

All capture methods and processes are welcome.

We are very pleased that Paula Tognarelli will jury the exhibit. She will select approximately 35 images for exhibition in the Middlebury gallery, and up to 40 for our Online gallery. All 75 selected images will be promoted on social media, reproduced in the exhibition print catalog, and remain permanently on our website, with links to photographer’s URL. 

Banner image:  Georg Krausch
Thumbnail:  Vicki McKenna

Information about our printing service and free matting and framing here.

About the juror

Paula Tognarelli recently retired after a long run as Executive Director of the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA. As the executive director she produced approximately 54 exhibitions per year, having started as an intern in 2001. She graduated from Boston University’s Masters in Art Administration program in 2003. Prior to a museum career, she spent 25 years in the printing industry contributing to the graphic arts industry’s efforts of moving analog processes to completely digital workflows. 

Paula frequently reviewed at national and local portfolio events and jumpstarted hundreds of photographers’ careers. She has also juried and curated well over 100 exhibitions for other institutions nationally and internationally.