Through The Lens and Beyond

Canmore native Erin Wallace is an example of a young woman who was introduced to the art of photography through mentorship.

She participated in the Through The Lens program supported by Banff's Whyte Museum. And later she interned with American documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark and members of her staff in New York City.

Erin recently went to Ukraine to continue a personal photo project and the result is a series of strong images in keeping with a tradition of documentary photography.

You can see more of her work in Canmore this February as part of Exposure 2010.

Exposure Grows

While many arts organizations are justifiably worried about the current economic climate, Exposure 2010 just keeps pushing ahead.

In February what you'll witness is the largest version of Exposure - ever.

Bravo.

Calgary Banff Canmore Photography Festival

Canmore is a growing presence in Exposure 2010. Not surprising when you check out some of the exhibitions that are planned for February.

One that caught my attention is a show that will be at the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre. It will highlight the life and photography of Daisy Carroll. Canmore's postmistress in the early 1900s, she was also a gifted amateur photographer.

Documenting local activities, Daisy's images include mining, ice hockey and farming.

Postmistress and documentary photographer: Daisy Carroll.

An Artful Conversation Between Science and Photography

Calgary-based photographer Bill Peters is an interesting guy.

After studying astronomy at the University of Southern California he then pursued a graduate degree in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology from the University of Toronto.

Education aside what brought Peters to my attention is new photographs he's created that bring his keen observational skills to the topic of water.

During Exposure 2010, Peters will exhibit photographs that explore the merging of water and land.

The resulting images are both beautiful and provocative.

A Blockbuster at The Art Gallery of Calgary

During Exposure 2010 The Art Gallery of Calgary will be showing works from the the national portrait collection held by Library and Archives Canada.

One of the photographs in the collection is by V. Tony Hauser. Working with antique large format cameras, and using the platinum process to print, he has created a body of work depicting artists, dancers and indigenous people that is now a bona fide Canadian treasure.

Student Photography

Student photography has a strange ring to it. Like somehow it must be lesser than.

Of course you will be suddenly reminded that's not true when you check out a selection of images from the Whyte Museum's Through The Lens collection that will be exhibited at the Juniper Hotel during Exposure 2010 in February.

Taken by students from the Morley area, during the past 12 years, these photographs help document a learning process, but also stand as strong compositions in their own right.

Planning for February

I heard there was something called the Olympics coming up in February 2010.

I like winter sports, but instead of competing for seats in Vancouver, I'll be in Calgary, Banff and Canmore during February for Exposure 2010 checking out a roster of intriguing photography.

And don't forget that the Juniper Hotel in Banff will be hosting an artists and curators talk on the evening of Feb. 6th. Should be fun and informative.

Hey, who knows, maybe the next morning I'll even strap on a set of skis in tribute to winter.

Exposure Expansion

Exposure 2010 is called the Calgary Banff Photography Festival but don't forget about Canmore with an ever growing roster of venues set to participate.

Exposure is even heading to Balzac this year with a gallery at Cross Iron Mills exhibiting the photography of Alexandre Poustovoit. One of the images is titled Shall Our Paths Ever Cross.

The answer is: yes. At Exposure 2010.

Sumptuous Black & Whites

Think of the word sumptuous and the the black & white prints of Michael Levin might pop into your mind.

This Vancouver-based photographer keeps racking up awards and admirers. Winner of the 2006/2007 "Photographer of the Year" at the International Photography Awards in New York, Levin's silky photos will be exhibited at Calgary's Weiss Gallery in February,during, you guessed it, Exposure 2010.

Alternative Photography

You might be hearing a lot about alternative photography in the coming months.

It's a funny term because much of the work is created by using cameras and materials of the recent past.

Remember 35 mm film? How about Polaroid? What's a Brownie?

During Exposure 2010 Newzones in Calgary will be exhibiting an impressive cross section of photographs made with alternative materials.

One photographer who is gaining wide recognition is Joshua Jensen-Nagle. From New Jersey and a graduate of Ryerson University in Toronto his "low fidelity"images are a treat.

More on Larry Towell

Arguably Canada's best known photojournalist, Larry Towell will be the keynote speaker during Exposure 2010 this February.

But before that Towell's work will be showcased in a gallery operated by the famed photo collective Magnum that opens November 20th.

It will be situated in the Saint Germain des Prés district of Paris and Towell's unwavering photojournalism will be key to the exhibition in this new venue.

Fig Tree Foundation at Exposure

The Fig Tree Foundation will be taking part in Exposure 2010.

The Calgary charity describes itself as being "committed to supporting collaborative projects and programs that demonstrate the best potential return on every dollar raised."

One of the initiatives the Figs were recently involved in was distributing cameras to project participants to learn a skill, create economic activity and photograph their world as they see it. The planned exhibition will showcase images taken by the participants as well as photos taken by Calgary-based development workers while at projects across the world.

The Art of Photography

On of my favourite aspects of Exposure is the willingness of its organizers to be open to all forms of photography.

From images made with pinhole cameras to the most recent digital wizardry, you're likely to find it at one of the participating venues under the umbrella of the Festival.

A category of photography that often gets a bad rap is adventure photography. But when I recently viewed a photograph Mark Gallup took of a skier caught up in an avalanche I was once again reminded of how powerful a statement can be made when a talented photographer and the forces of nature collide.

This work and many others will be included in a Whyte Museum exhibition titled Out There! during Exposure 2010 throughout February.

BIG News

Larry Towell, one of the world's most renowned photojournalists will be taking part in Exposure 2010.

A full member of Magnum Photos since 1993, Towell's empathy for the Earth's most vulnerable citizens is obvious within each frame.

A legendary photographer he has travelled the globe for more than 25-years to help all of us understand the plight of those who live in war zones, exist without a place to call home and yet still find the courage to carry on.

Big Bad Wolf?

As I mentioned the other day SKEW Gallery is showing photography as part of Exposure 2010 in February.

This time it will be with a twist thanks to new work from artist Amalie Atkins. She jumps into the life & death of fairytales with surprsing results.

Who says a wolf has to be big and bad?

Carole Harmon

Sine the early 1900's the Harmon family has been involved in photographing the Canadian Rockies.

Carole Harmon carries on in her grandfather's (Byron Harmon) footsteps by interpreting the natural world with her own distinct photographic vision.

The name Harmon and photography are synonymous.