THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL MEETING.
This is an announcement that registration to participate in our annual group exhibit is now open. Please read the entire description before registering.
Background: Our exhibit will be listed in a catalog of events as part of the Atlanta Center for Photography festival, a city-wide celebration with dozens of locations exhibiting. Our goal is to have 25 outstanding photographs to exhibit, showing the creativity and skill of our members. Even if you have not exhibited before, this is a chance to select your best work and share a photo for public display.
For the tenth time, the exhibit location will be the Decatur Public Library. There is no “theme” other than wanting to show our members' finest images. Photos must have been taken by the Decatur Meetup member since January 1, 2023; content should be appropriate for all ages.
This year, the first 25 members who register -- by RSVPing "Yes" to this call for registration, and paying the $20 fee -- will reserve a spot to display one photo. The intent is to have as many members as possible to participate in our exhibit.
You have until 11:00 PM on Wednesday, September 15, to RSVP and reserve a spot in the exhibit. Your entry is YOUR choice, instead of using a jurying process. You can first RSVP to reserve a place in the exhibit, and then begin thinking about what image you want to display.
Some tips on selecting your best image:
Keep in mind that a photo you love -- because of the subject or the memories it evokes -- is not necessarily an outstanding photograph to an objective viewer seeing it for the first time. Evaluate your photographs without sentimentality for what is technically excellent and a creative idea or innovative point of view.
Factors to consider:
- Technical: excellent sharpness, exposure and color balance – plus a high quality print
- Composition: thoughtful use of leading lines, “rule of thirds,” contrasting background—without distracting elements
- Mood: conveying a feeling such as serenity, awe, speed, fun
- Moment: a sense of perfect timing, capturing something fleeting
- Originality: a subject or point of view we have not seen before
- Title: Put some thought into the title - go beyond obvious wording such as "Beach Sunset" or "Yellow Sunflower"
If you want feedback to help you select your entry, there is a Facebook group -- Decatur Digital Photo Meetup Exhibit -- where you can post photos and ask for suggestions such as on editing, cropping, or type of paper for your print. You can post a few photos and see what other members "like" or comment on.
FRAMING:
Traditional wood and glass frames are expensive, fragile and hard to obtain. This year, all exhibit photos need to be printed and mounted on white foamcore board. The print should be approximately 16 by 20 inches. This allows our exhibit images to be much larger than the 11 by 14 inch size we have used in the past.
I recommend ordering your mounted print from Photocanvasland.com, a company in Duluth, Georgia. I will send detailed instructions on ordering your print from this company to the 25 registered exhibitors. The cost for a mounted print, plus tax and shipping, is roughly $32.
Key dates:
Drop off mounted prints at Oakhurst Baptist Church: Saturday, Sept. 27
Exhibit dates: Wednesday, Oct. 1 through Thursday, Oct. 30.
PUBLIC RECEPTION: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6 to 8 PM -- invite your friends and family!
Pick up your prints from library: Thursday, Oct. 30, 4 to 6 PM.
Steps to reserve a spot in the exhibit:
- RSVP “Yes” and pay a non-refundable entry fee of $20.
- Include your email address when asked as part of RSVPing. (I will email you acknowledging you as having reserved a place in our exhibit.)
Looking forward to seeing your best work!
