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Rites and Rituals
Prints of most of these images are available for purchase. Please inquire.
All photographs are the copyright of the individual artists and may not be reproduced without their permission.
Juror's Statement
What a completely wonderful theme! I was excited to see what was in store for me as I delved into the submissions. I was not disappointed.
My favorites, including the Juror’s Choice and the Director’s Choice surprised and delighted me with how they went past technical proficiency incorporating a notion of using documenting an event as an invitation to push into the realm of artistic expression. The Honorable Mentions played with the boundaries of the theme in such a graceful and soulful way.
Trying to keep an open mind to a very loose translation of the theme in jurying exhibits, I look for photos that speak to me on an emotional level, that have something to say beyond technical excellence or merely a good take on a classic theme. I want to see images that move beyond the trite and familiar into the region of self-expression, if not self-exploration. Even more points if you expand my sometimes-limited notion of what the actual theme means. This, of course, is completely subjective and it’s important to realize that my choices are only my opinion and not fact. It does not mean one photo is better than another, it means that these are the images that I reacted to most strongly and positively. I do try to recognize excellence in styles that are not my own or even in styles I am not fond of. My personal prejudice is that I look for a strong personal point of view rather than a lucky shot or great timing. I want to feel the photographer’s presence and a personal connection on some level to their chosen subject rather than stumbling upon a random interesting scene. To me the best photographs show not only what the photographer saw but how they interpreted the scene. And having to judge that is both daunting and highly subjective.
A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who submitted. Please know that there were more good choices than we had room to include.
— Douglas Beasley
Call for Entries
Most of us practice countless rituals and rites throughout the year. Some are religious or spiritual: baptism, marriage, funeral, meditation, prayer. And many are not: birthdays, weddings, the 4th of July, Halloween.
For this exhibit we seek images of various forms of praise, celebration, recognition and remembrance around the world. Whether modern and highly personal, or ancient and cross-cultural, religious or non-religious, we’d like to see observances of ritual in all forms.
All photographers and all image capture and processing methods are welcome.
We encourage creative interpretation of our themes. Images do need to relate to the theme, but they need not be entirely literal.
We are very pleased that Douglas Beasley will be jurying and curating this exhibition. He will select approximately 35 images for exhibition in the gallery, and 40 for our Online Gallery. All 75 selected images will be reproduced in the exhibition print catalog and remain permanently on our website, with links to photographer’s URL.
Information about our printing service and free matting and framing here.
Banner image: Douglas Beasley
Click to enlarge image.
About the Juror
Douglas Beasley’s personal vision explores the spiritual and emotional aspects of people and place and is concerned with how the sacred is recognized and expressed in everyday life.
Much of Doug’s personal work is supported by grants and commissions and is widely exhibited and collected. He has been published internationally and featured in numerous photo magazines such as Zoom, The Sun, B&W, PDN, Shots and PhotoVision. Doug has published three books: Japan: A Nisei’s First Encounter; Earth Meets Spirit; and Zen & the Art of Photography, a collection of his writing.
As founder and director of Vision Quest Photo Workshops, Doug provides workshops that emphasize personal expression and creative vision over the mechanics of camera use. His workshops are held at art and cultural centers across the US and around the world as well as Private Workshops at the Trade River Retreat Center, his cabin/retreat center in Northwest Wisconsin.
Doug is the owner and publisher of Shots magazine, a quarterly independent journal of fine-art photography, now in its 32nd year of publication.
Doug Beasley’s website
Vision Quest Photo Workshops
Trade River Retreat Center
Shots magazine
Read Doug’s complete bio here