This is the first of photo blogging posts by local D.C. photographer Angela Kleis. Angela is a D.C.-area artist who primarily shoots film, though lately she's been reaching for her camera phone more than she really should. Two themes she tends to explore in her work include making people feel uncomfortable and exploring imperfection, and she's been told more than a few times that her photos are creepy, which is just fine by her. Angela also writes for the Fotoweek DC blog and is heavily active in the local art scene. Check out her website at http://www.angelakleis.com/.
As artists, we want our work to be seen by others. There are many ways to do this, including submitting for art shows. We'll discuss different approaches and resources for finding calls for entry in future posts, but for this one, we'll focus on a very big, very local opportunity for photographers.
Last year's inaugural Fotoweek DC show was larger than expected and very successful. With the deadline for the sequel rapidly approaching - September 13!! - it's time to get down to business and select the work you wish to submit.
Fotoweek DC is a city-wide celebration of photography that, along with the official Fotoweek contest, includes many DC-area galleries. First, submit your work for the show, then, start putting together your own calendar of related shows that you must see.
But, which photos do you enter? There are different ways to do this, so I'll just share my own method and maybe it will work for you, as well. Start by going through your work and choosing the ones that mean something to you. Try to limit this list to 10-15 photos, max. Then, take a look at the submission categories and sort your work into these groups. After you've done this, take a break; grab a beer, go for a walk, take a day or night, then come back and see if you still feel the same way about the photos you've chosen.
Next, decide how many photos you'd like to submit, keeping in mind that each entry is $25 (yeah, I missed the early-entry $20 fee, too...). Once you have in mind what you can afford, start eliminating photos from your lists. When you're done, you should have your submission! Just in case you're like me and tend to change your mind, maybe take another break and come back just to make sure. :)
Be sure to spend a little time going through the list of winners and finalists from last year. While the jurors have changed, use these photos as a source of inspiration when reviewing your own work. Take a look at each group of winners; look at them individually and as a category. Then, get excited about Fotoweek DC! It's a fantastic week of photo fun, that extends, for many of the gallery shows, all month long.
Fotoweek DC: http://fotoweekdc.org/
Deadline: September 13
Entry Guidelines: http://fotoweekdcawards.com/
Fotoweek DC Blog (reviews, interviews, and previews): http://fotoweekdc.org/blog/
Last Year's Finalists: http://fotoweekdc.org/news/fw.asp
-Angela
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