Photographers Forum Meeting Night

Tonight was the July meeting of the Photographers Forum at VAE and as always there was terrific work presented along with great conversation. Extra thanks go out to everyone who brought snacks and refreshments.

Tonight's Artist in Absentia was Elliott Erwitt. Erwitt is best known for his witty and insightful images of everyday life. A member of Magnum, he is a master of the 'decisive moment", and a film maker as well. To learn more about him and his work, visit his website here.

Also part of the conversation tonight was a discussion on the "Why?" of our artistic journey. We often allow so much of our time to be taken up with the "how?", we don't often consider the "Why?".

For each person the answer will be different, but the over-arching principle, the foundation of everything we do, must include: HAVING FUN!!!

Samuel Beckett expressed this idea quite well in his directive to "dance first, think later".

If we think back I'm sure we can all remember a time when picking up a camera was an act of excitement and wonder. Watching a print come up in the developer (for those of us that go back that far), opening a packet of prints from the lab, or opening up your files on the big screen. Realizing that you "got the shot"!

These are among the moments that make the all the effort so eminently worth while.

So let's not ever lose that sense of joy and excitement that caused us to fall in love with photography in the first place. And continue to share those moments with the rest of the world.

The next Forum meeting will be August 2nd. 7:00pm at VAE, 309 W. Martin St. Raleigh. I hope to see you all there!

KickStarter Campaign for Christer Bergs New Book is Underway!

As those of us who attend meetings regularly will know, our own Christer Berg has been working diligently on his Fabric of Raleigh/Fabric of Durham project for the last couple of years. We've all had the privilege of viewing prints of the work as he's been creating them, and they are amazing! We've also seen the outtakes and behind the scenes images. In short, we've had a front row seat to the creation of a terrific body of work.

Well, now we have the opportunity to help him share his project with the rest of the world by pre-ordering a copy at his KickStarter page here.

Produced in association with Horse & Buggy Press in Durham, it will be a high-quality hardcover book with 45 full-page portraits - from firefighters to pastors, from baristas to cobblers, and from urban farmers to construction workers - plus behind the scenes photos, stories, and quotes. For regular Forum attendees, we've seen many of these images and know they are fantastic!

The book will also feature essays by Liza Roberts, the Editor and General Manager of Walter Magazine; Roylee Duvall, gallery director at Through This Lens Gallery; and Roger Manley, director of the Gregg Museum of Art and Design.

So you are invited to take advantage of a pre-production discount of $20 if you order now. Don't pass up a great opportunity to own a collection of extraordinary work and support the efforts of a truly gifted photographer.

 

 

Forum Artist Tricia McKellar Takes 2nd Place in SCOPE Exhibit!!!

Forum artists are no strangers to receiving recognition for their work, and Tricia McKellar is the latest member to be honored. Her piece, Landscape + Memory, took 2nd Place in the annual VAE SCOPE exhibit!



Landscape + Memory (c) Tricia McKellar



To regular Forum Members, it comes as no surprise that Tricia would be recognized for her work. She has a wonderful aesthetic and is creating a wonderful body of work. We are fortunate to have her as a member.

Congratulations to Tricia for an honor well deserved!

Photographers Forum 7th Anniversary Night Out

The Photographers Forum celebrated their 7th anniversary with an evening at Simply Crepes in North Raleigh. Located at Lafayette Village a great time was had by all! Thanks to John for making the arrangements. The meal was terrific and the conversation even more so.

Another great night out for the Photographers Forum!

The Forum has accomplished quite a lot over the past 7 years and has a lot more planned for the future. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the groups success!

Another Photographers Forum Night on the Town!

Once again Forum members venture out for a night on the town. This time our location was Bittersweet in Raleigh (116 E. Martin St.). In case you didn't know. Bittersweet is a desert and cocktail only restaurant. Yes, that's right... deserts and cocktails ONLY!!! (Really, if you think about it, what more do you need? Cosmically speaking, life is way too short, so let's just cut to the chase.)

The Photographers Forum once again out and about!

Thanks again to John for organizing the outing. A fantastic time was had by all, even though as each desert was served, the person on either side was suddenly overcome with "desert envy", a rare but sometimes debilitating disease for which another desert is the only known cure.

Thanks also to the staff at Bittersweet for the exceptional food and hospitality. If you haven't been there, you're missing out! Check out their website here.

Forum Member Stephen Fletcher to Speak at NC Museum of History

If you're looking for a great way to take a lunch break look no further than the NC Museum of History on Wednesday January 11th., where forum member Stephen Fletcher will speak on the Mysteries of Hugh Morton's photographs.

Stephen Fletcher

Hugh Morton’s photographs are full of mysteries and secrets, some known only to him. Fortunately, while processing the Morton collection and managing the associated blog, A View to Hugh, Fletcher has made some discoveries and deductions. Explore some of those stories during this free lunchtime program.

Beverages provided. Purchase a boxed lunch—or just bring your own. For information, call 919-807-7982. Or visit the Museum website here.

The Photographers Forum is Off and Running in 2017!

The photographers Forum has hit the ground running in their first meeting of 2017! The meeting was well attended with members venturing out ahead of the coming winter storm. As always, there was some terrific work presented and great conversation.

Forum member Lynda Wright presents an image during the first meeting of 2017

This month's Artist in Absentia is Mitch Dobrowner. To see more of his work go to his website here.

The Hand of God (c) Mitch Dowbrowner

If you've missed Forum meetings you're missing out! The next meeting is February 1st at the Visual Art Exchange, 309 W. Martin St. in Raleigh. Starting time is around 7:00pm. We hope to see you there!!!