Juror’s Statement
I recently geographically transitioned from the Pacific Northwest to the Southwest, and consequently have been very attuned to the differences in light. That, combined with the slow days of pandemic isolation, has given me the space and time to feel how light shifts throughout the hours and how that effects one’s psyche. It was a natural sidestep to immerse myself into the consideration of images submitted to Finding the Light (while some kind of political/cultural metaphor hovered nearby – how does one find the light in these times?).
Illuminate (15thc) is from the Latin illūmināre, to light up; from lumen, light. The Italian language gives us illuminata, illuminare, illuminarsi, illuminazione.
Illuminate means to make lucid or clear, to make shining, to reveal details. In looking at the submissions, I was pulled into scenarios where something was being explained to me, a story was being told with the length of light waves. In the end, images that explored an unknown angle, a fleeting dimension, held my interest – light has power to turn an ordinary spot extraordinary. A great many images used light to craft an image – patience is needed for this. Or, an expert eye that can fit it into a strong composition super-quick. Thank you to the artists for doing the work and bringing so many interpretations of illumination to the table.
— Laura Moya
Call for Entries
The quality of the light on a subject has a profound effect on the power of a photograph. Its color, direction, and diffusion often define the success or failure of an image. As filmmaker Aaron Rose put it, “In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.”
For this exhibit, we’re looking for images whose success depends on the quality of the light. Whether light or dark, bright or dull, natural or artificial, the subject of these images is the magic, the possibilities, and the nuances of the light itself. All capture and processing methods are welcome.
We are very pleased that Laura Moya will jury the exhibit. She will select approximately 40 images for exhibition in the Middlebury gallery, and 40 for our Online gallery. All selected images will be published in the exhibit catalog.
Information about our printing service and free matting and framing here.
Banner image: Michel Hersen
Click images to enlarge.
About the Juror
Laura is the Director of Photolucida, in Portland, Oregon. She organizes Photolucida’s biennial Portfolio Reviews event, Portland Photo Month, and is project manager for Photolucida’s Critical Mass book award publications. She has juried for Critical Mass, Blue Sky Gallery’s Northwest Drawers, Newspace Center for Photography, Photo District News, United Photo Industries/The Fence and PhotoPlace Gallery, and has written pieces for Finite Foto, Griffin Museum’s Critic’s Pick, and Photo-eye’s blog.
Laura co-curated an independent project, The Early Works Project, which was shown at Newspace Center for Photography, Rayko Photo Center, The Center for Fine Art Photography, and the Photographic Resource Center, as well as The Elevated Selfie: Beyond the Bathroom Mirror, which exhibited at LightBox Photographic Gallery and the Griffin Museum of Photography. She has been integral in Reviews events including the National Society for Photographic Education and LensCulture in Paris, and has participated in talks and panels at international festivals such as Pinyao International Photo Festival and GuatePhoto Festival. Most recently she curated photography + science for the Yixian International Photography Festival, and Hypermedia in Critical Mass for the Lishui International Photography Festival in China.
Visit Photolucida's extraordinary website here.
Lenscratch published a "Mixtape" on Laura Moya - you'll find it here.
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