Photo by Beth Sargent:
Evening Comes to Morro Bay
Photo by Don Eaton: Spotted Wolf Pass
Photo by Jean Lawrence: Shell Beach Waves
Photo by Jim Brandenburg: Aurora Borealis
Photo by Jim Brandenburg: Boundary Waters Loons
Photo by Jim Brandenburg: Camp at Sunset
Photo by Mimi Ditchie: Flaming
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December 2009
SLO Photography Exhibitions & Events
by Renée Besta
"The closer you can come to a thing, the more intimately involved with it you are, the more it opens itself to you. We grow, like the roots of a tree or the basin of a stream, deeper with the years. And life reveals its order, the structure of its poem to us. Everything in nature has a spirit." –– Jim Brandenburg, Nature Photographer
As 2009 draws to a wintery close, I cannot imagine a more fitting sentiment nor tribute to the majestic California Central Coast than that so aptly expressed by one of the world's greatest nature photographers, Jim Brandenburg. For in this, the most juxtapositional of seasons – from grand holiday celebrations to moments of quiet reflection – the profound significance of our intricate connection to each other and the natural world is most keenly palpable. The approach of the winter solstice signifies not only the shortest day of the year as the sun ebbs away, but also the time for ritual, reflection, and rebirth. In keeping with this tradition, the local photography community will host events ranging from a screening of Jim Brandenburg's infamous Chased by the Light documentary film, to collective group receptions, holiday celebrations, and a year-end photo competition showcasing its best work.
Now Through December 16th – The Seventh Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photography Contest
In print since April 1970, the distinctive and esteemed Smithsonian magazine chronicles the arts, history, sciences, and popular culture of the times. Over the past six years, the magazine's annual photography contest has attracted nearly 90,000 images submitted by photographers from more than 90 countries. Now in its seventh year, the highly competitive, prestigious contest is open for entries, giving photographers maximum exposure to have their art viewed by sophisticated readers around the world. This year's deadline has been extended to Wednesday, December 16th at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), so now is the time to submit your magnum opus online at Photo Contest Smithsonian Magazine.
Photographs will be accepted in five categories composed of subjects of particular interest to Smithsonian. These include Americana, The Natural World, People, Travel, and Altered Images. Up to seven images per category are allowed for a total of 35 images per contestant, which must have been shot in the past three years after January 1st, 2007. A total of fifty finalists will be selected, ten for each of the five categories, with one grand prize winner and five category winners to be awarded. Winning entries will be published both online and in the print edition of the magazine. In addition, a reader's choice award will be selected by popular online vote. Category winners and the reader's choice winner will each be awarded $500; the grand prize winner will receive a four-day, three-night Smithsonian Journeys Grand Canyon Weekend Adventure for two, or the wholesale cash equivalent. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to have your work published in the official magazine of the Smithsonian Institution.
Friday, December 4th – Image Makers Photography Group Gallery Reception
Founded by black and white photographer extraordinaire Doug Howard, the North County Image Makers Photography Group will host a gallery reception on Friday, December 4th from 5:00 to 8:30 pm at Wilkins Photo and Art Gallery, located at 6405 El Camino Real in Atascadero, just south of the Carlton Hotel and adjacent to Wilkins Printing. The reception will be held in conjunction with the Atascadero Art & Wine Tour, with wine tasting provided by Frolicking Frog and hors d'oeuvres by Colby Jack Cafe and Bakery. A large number of Central Coast Photographic Society (CCPS) and San Luis Obispo Camera Club (SLOCC) members will be exhibiting their work, including Doug Howard, Don Eaton, Donna Johnson, Nancy Koren, Darwin Denny, and Pat Townsend. The Image Makers Group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the community room of Rabobank, located at 1025 Las Tablas Road in Templeton. Photographers throughout the county are welcome.
Saturday, December 5th – Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade and Marina Square Merchants Open House
Each December, residents of the North Coast and elsewhere eagerly await the spectacular Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade, where local boats of all shapes and sizes, festively decorated for the holiday season, cruise the harbor waterways while hundreds of spectators enjoy the views along the historic Embarcadero. This year's parade will commence at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 5th, and a special merchant's open house will be held at the Marina Square shopping complex from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, complete with food, drink, live music, and carolers. Not only is this annual event a favorite of local photographers, but many of our best SLOCC and CCPS members exhibit and sell their work at the Gallery at Marina Square, located on the second floor of the complex at 601 Embarcadero at the base of Marina Street, across from the Morro Bay Aquarium. Come on out for this special holiday event and enjoy watching the lighted boats cruise by, while shopping for holiday gifts and enjoying the camaraderie of local artists.
Tuesday, December 8th – Chased by the Light Photography Documentary Film
Light up your holiday by joining the Central Coast Photographic Society for a special documentary presentation at the year-end, December 8th meeting, where we will showcase Chased by the Light, an exquisitely beautiful and evocative 60-minute photographic journey by former National Geographic and world-renowned nature photographer Jim Brandenburg. This film tells the story of how Brandenburg, one of the world's most respected wildlife photographers, recorded the approach of winter near his home in the rugged northernmost woods of Minnesota, while completely immersed in his craft.
For ninety days, between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, Brandenburg made only one photograph each day, no second chances. The stunning images resulted in a National Geographic cover story as well as the best-selling book by the same name. This documentary travels with Brandenburg to revisit many of the locations of the most memorable photographs in the project. On-camera, he reveals the stories behind the decisions to press the shutter at precise moments. Please visit Jim Brandenburg.com for more information.
The Photographic Society, an affiliate member group of the San Luis Obispo Art Center, meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Nybak Wing of the Art Center, located at 1010 Broad Street at Monterey on Mission Plaza. Please note that due to the current CraftArt Market in the Nybak Wing, the film will be shown in the main Gray Wing of the Art Center this one time only. Visit SLO Art Center.org for more information.
Thursday, December 10th – Final 2009 SLO Camera Club Competition
Six times per year on even-numbered months, members of the San Luis Obispo Camera Club participate in "Competition" by submitting their work to the scrutiny of professional judges who give oral critiques along with scores ranging from 3 to 9 points, where 9 is "perfect." Although this very popular bimonthly event is intended to be fun and educational, it is most certainly "stiff" with the submission of dozens of exquisite images from talented members living in diverse environs around the County. At the end of each year, the Club distributes six awards, including "Image of the Year" and the "Members' Choice Awards."
Regardless of SLOCC membership status, enjoying Competition has become an almost zen-like tradition in the local photography community, particularly in regards to the year-end final extravaganza. The sixth and final competition of each year is held the second Thursday in December, and showcases the cream of the crop from the prior five events. Only images previously submitted in the first five competitions of the year are eligible for the year-end contest. To experience some real eye candy, come out and join us for this fun event, where refreshments will be served and inspiration abounds! The Club meets at 7:30 pm at the Veteran's Memorial Hall in San Luis Obispo, located at 801 Grand Avenue near the corner of Monterey and Grand. There is a large parking lot next to the building. The meeting room is in the lounge to the right of the main entrance, not in the main auditorium. Please "click" on over to the Club's web site at SLO Camera Club.org for more information.
Saturday, December 12th – SLO Art Center Artist Groups Holiday Party
The six affiliated artist groups of the San Luis Obispo Art Center – Central Coast Craftmakers, Sculptors, Photographers, Printmakers, Watercolorists, and the Oil, Pastel and Acrylics Group (OPAG) – will be pooling their resources and hosting a holiday hullabaloo by coming together under one roof to feast, imbibe, and celebrate with live music, song, and dance. The potluck party will be held on Saturday, December 12th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Laguna Lake Mobile Home Park Annex, located at 1801 Prefumo Canyon Road in San Luis Obispo. Coffee, wassail and wine punch will be provided. All artist group members are welcome to attend and are encouraged to bring a favorite dish and beverages. In addition, a gift exchange will be held. This first-time holiday extravaganza is an excellent way to meet other Art Center members, exchange ideas, and network. For more information, please contact Terri McArthur of the Sculptors Group at 785-0208.
As mentioned in last month's column, the winter season blesses local photographers with some of the best sunsets of the year, as well as deep minus tides perfect for shooting the fragile sea creatures that make their homes along our spectacular coast. On New Year's Eve, December 31st, you will find me with friends not in a local club or bar, but amongst the tide pools of Montana de Oro State Park in Los Osos, photographing what the ocean conceals, then reveals. Note that there will be a -1.7 tide at 4:06 pm that day, with a sunset at 5:01 pm. This minus tide is one of the year's best, so we will be celebrating in true artistic fashion. It has been my privilege and pleasure to write this monthly column since August, one month after the launch of the Slo Coast Journal. A happy and healthy 2010 to one and all!
Renée Besta is President of the Central Coast Photographic Society and serves on the Board of the SLO Camera Club as Writer, Editor, and Designer of the Courier newsletter. A former biomedical professional, Renée now works in the areas of graphic design, fine art photography, teaching, writing, and digital printing for artists. She can be contacted at reneebesta@slocoastjournal.com or by calling 805.450.4640. For more information please visit Linkedin.
Sea Star image on banner by Renée M. Besta |
