A Confession to Make

Lowes Wharf in St. Michaels, by Betsy Spruill Clarke

Shot a party the other day with the theme Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall and I thought it would make the perfect title to kick off this part of the year in blogging the DC photo world.  Of course, my deliberate theft of another person's title is not the confession I have to make.  My carefree neglect to this blog, however, is.

I thought, back in June, that I would be able to blog more, since photo jobs and more tend to thin out over summer.  And I would be partially right, except for one thing that I never saw coming...the very fact that my husband needed a vacation.  And therefore, I would also need a vacation.

Working in a creative department, he puts in long hours through the spring and into the early weeks of summer.  And, much like any human, he was going to crack if he didn't get a little air.  So, I started focusing all of my energy into two things...his sanity and renewing my portfolio.

When August rolled around, I figured that I would take the month off, since it seemed that most people would be getting in those last weeks of vacation anyway, and jump back in this month.  But, alas, I am jumping in a little later than I wanted.

I apologize and I confess, I got carried away with the summer.  But, while we're on topic, here's a summary of our two big trips:  we went to St. Michaels and Rehoboth with Mom and Dad Clarke and we went to LA to see one of the final NIN concerts and visit with our friend Diamond Dallas Page (DDP).

The St. Michaels and Rehoboth trip was awesome and ended with a delicious crab feast/birthday dinner for me.  Southern Maryland is fantastic and has so much to offer--relaxation, shopping, much to photograph.

El Lay, what can I say...first time for both of us and the opportunity to see one of the final NIN concerts before Trent had to take a few sick days was...well...sick.  Plus, it was fantastic getting to visit with our friends DDP and Angela and getting to try out some new moves (quick background on DDP - former pro-wrestler-turned-fitness-guru; creator of a brand of power yoga called YRG that Adam and Betsy swear by).

There were some pretty nice activities going on here, too - SynchroSwim being my fave - WPA rules!  The DC Photography community also had to say goodbye to good friends and fellow talent - Stirling and Rachel Elmendorf, who have pulled up roots and moved out west.  And, while working on my portfolio, I did get some portraits and interviews of local photogs Megan Nadolski and Michael Domingo, so please stay tuned for that as well!

Of course after such a busy month or two, my husband says "You know, you really haven't put anything in the blog lately." Argh.  The reality that you have wronged someone...or an entire community...is a lot to take.

Let's kick this off right and get this engine up and running...

So, tell DC Shot List - you know the drill...in photo...what you did for the summer:  foto.maven@gmail.com

And for goodness sakes, please tell us that you met the DC Fotoweek submission deadline!

More SynchroSwim Hot Shots + Fotoweek DC 2009 and Other DC Shot List News

Photo and article by Betsy Spruill Clarke.

Happy Monday! I'm back from vacation and it seems that there is much news to report on the Photo front for DC...

MORE PHOTOS FROM MORE PHOTOGRAPHERS AT WPA'S SYNCHROSWIM

As you saw, last week, Adam and I had a blast at Washington Project for the Art's Synchro Swim event at Capitol Skyline Hotel.  Many other photographers around town also had fun and I wanted to include their links to check out:

*  Max Cook http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxedaperture/sets/72157621607536125/ 

*  Meaghan Gay http://dcist.com/2009/07/click_click_synchronized_swimming_a.php?gallery0Pic=10

*  Also spotted was Pulitzer prize winning photographer, Lucian Perkins!

FOTOWEEK DC 2009 UPDATES

Fotoweek DC 2009 Awards - Did you get your entry in by yesterday for the 20% off discount?  Well, if you missed it, you missed saving money...but that's all...you haven't missed the official deadline, so don't give up!  Submit today.  Deadline is September 20th! Highlights of this year's competition include:

• Open to all photographers around the world
• Accepting single images, series projects, social documentary and multimedia work
• $21,500 in cash prizes including $5,000 for the Podesta Prize "Spirit of Washington"
• 12 entry categories including Social Documentary & New Media
• Distinguished Panel of Judges
• Awards Ceremony at National Geographic Society Nov 5, 2009
• Winning photos exhibited at FotoWeek DC Festival Nov 7-14, 2009
• FotoWeek DC limited edition book published in 2010 with winning photos

Fotoweek DC 2009 Youth Photo Contest

Know any young up-and-coming hot shots that deserve a little recognition?  FotoWeek DC and The Washington Post want to see young photogs strut their portfolio stuff in this contest.  As part of DC's week-long biggest and best celebration of photography, November 7 - 14, young shutterbugs who participate stand a chance to win some cool prizes and have winning photos published in The Washington Post, exhibited at the FotoWeek Central Hub and at fotoweekdc's on-line gallery.

This contest is free.  Students (K through 12th grade) in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia can submit up to three photos each, now through September 27th.

And More Fotoweek Happenings that Excite DC Shot List

In addition to Fotoweek DC's 2009 better-than-ever contests, they also list some other can't miss opportunities surrounding the week that DC's photophiliacs now look forward to including:

• Portfolio Reviews - With partners, American Society of Picture Professionals and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Fotoweek DC will be hosting portfolio reviews by 20 nationally acclaimed photo professionals at the Corcoran...
• Cameras For Kids - In partnership with Critical Exposure and Martin Luther King Elementary School, a fall photography instruction/mentoring/guest lecture program is in the works...
• and NightGallery Projections - large scale outdoor photographic projections are planned for some of the city's most prestigious institutions and museums.

DC SHOT LIST NEWS

Thank you to all who have volunteered to contribute to DC Shot List.  I promise that if I haven't responded to you, I will.  It is for many worthy causes including photography karma as well as promoting DC as THE premier city of the best photography, to name a few.  If you are interested in contributing (reporting on the best in photographic happenings and peeps around DC in both word and image) please contact Betsy Spruill Clarke foto.maven@gmail.com.  I will get to you, especially with Fotoweek DC around the corner!

Also, if you haven't caught up with the group on Flickr, please do!  Join us... http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcshotlist/ so we can tout your photos!

Phresh Fotos From WPA's SynchroSwim Event

 
One of the Uprooted Dance synchronized swimmers.  Photo by Adam Clarke.  Slideshow and link to photos follow the article.

Written by Betsy Spruill Clarke. Photography by Adam and Betsy Clarke.

Well, it's not photography related, but I know there are some DC Shot List readers who attended this and would like to see some photographs. 

A synchronized swimming showcase and competition, WPA SynchroSwim took place at the Capitol Skyline Hotel pool on Sunday, July 19th, from 6 - 7pm.  There was also an experimental video, curated by Brandon Morse and presented by Conner Contemporary Art.  This was on display for a few more hours after the competition.

SynchroSwim was presented in conjunction with a series of video lounge / poolside art projects hosted by The RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION + Conner Contemporary Art at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.

And, by the way, poolside earlybirds got to partake in Sunday barbeque with chef Spike Mendelsohn (from Top Chef) for only $10.  Adam and I could not make it prior to 6, but we hear it was spectacular. 

Poolside was packed, so Adam and I got whatever photos we could from our vantage points.  I tried to focus on getting shots of the swimmers before and after, while Adam had a better view of the competition and was getting some action imagery. 

Other photographers on the scene of note--Max Cook, Meaghan Gay.  From what Max described, I think he had a front row seat, so I'm sure he got some sweet opportunity.   And Meaghan's photos can be viewed on www.dcist.com. I've seen one of them and it is fabulous, so I can't wait to see the others!

NOW, about the "Elephant in the Room..." during the competition, Adam nudged me and said "Who are these jackasses?"  Apparently, this group to the left of us were heckling the performers.  Later on we found out it was the cast for "The Real World, DC."  Well, that explained why the video operator just stayed in that area...he worked for them.  Whatever.  And whatever brings the crowd. 

Capitol Skyline Hotel is fabulous, by the way.  Sexy decor.  I think I might go back to take shots during the week.  Just fabulous. 

Special thanks to Lisa Gold for the nudge that "Hey, I think you might really like shooting this!" :)  We loved it.  And speaking of "we," special thanks to Adam Clarke, my husband and talented photographer, who came with me and got some fabulous shots as well.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

July 4th Shot Call and Your Thoughts on Young Talent

"Fireflies," July 4th, 2009, by Adam & Betsy Clarke

Did you enjoy your three-dayer?  I organized my ass off, we helped in-laws with attic insulation, and watched movies and episodes of "Always Sunny in Philadelphia."  If you haven't seen this show, you are missing out on piss-your-pants-comedy.  But this isn't a television blog, this is a blog focused on DC's best in all-things photography and I'll get on with it...

Jumpstarting my weekend was a shoot with Washington Life, alongside of two very talented DC photographers:  Nakeva Corothers and Anchyi Wei.  This inspired an article that I'm going to write sometime soon about the importance of nurturing all aspects of our photography community in support of DC's growing reputation as THE city of photography.  For example, Anchyi, is very hesitant on pushing her photography forward, regardless of the fact that there are many who feel that she has an incredible eye.  In my opinion, when we fail to give encouragement to those who may not even realize their talents, we fail the greater deliverable of our photography community.

Ideas?  Thoughts?  Please let me know!

Also, Adam and I were so exhausted after helping with the insulation that we did not make any plans for fireworks.  So, we tried a little something different...fireflies.  We found a great spot on Beach Drive (Rockcreek Park) where the fireflies were overly-abundant...as well as the mosquitoes.  In between applications of cortizone cream, we managed to kick out a few through the editing process.

Featured above is one of the shots from the night.  Since we were trading cameras constantly, I have no idea which person took this.  But, Adam took a series of sweet shots.  I'm hoping that he will submit to the following request...

Satisfy the DC Shot List curiosity...what were some other shots taken from this July 4th?  Got anything unique or unusual to share?  Please send it along and if I get enough, I'll do a posting of these pics this week (you will get credit, of course).

So, that's your Monday homework...send me your thoughts on the influence of supporting up-and-coming photographers as well as any photos from July 4th that you would like to show off...

In the words of DC's Erika Horn, "Shoot 'em dead!"

May Events & A Call For Contributors...



Pictured from left to right: ROW 1--Erika Horn, Christopher Chen, Random-Guy-Who-Pops-Up-In-My-Shots-At-Various-Events; ROW 2--Betsy Spruill Clarke, DC Shot List yo!, Adam Clarke; ROW 3--Dakota Fine, Random-Guy-Again-Seriously-Who-Is-This-Dude?, and Martin Locraft.

A Couple of Hot Shots, if You Will

Well, these aren't the only events for this month, so I will keep this updated throughout this month.  But I wanted to get this out, ASAP, so you know where to find the best eye candy!

Before I share the goods, I want to call out for contributors.  If you are interested in covering any one of these events for DC Shot List, please shoot me an email!  I want to talk to you, today.  foto.maven@gmail.com

Okay, now, mark your calendars...

Wednesday
May 6
6:30pm - 9:00pm

Critical Exposure's "Through the Lens of D.C. Youth" Photography Exhibit
Host: Critical Exposure

Where: ARTiculate Gallery, 1100 16th St. NW (16th & L), Washington, DC

Who: For the past year, D.C. youth and young adults have been given cameras, workshops in documentary photography, and the opportunity to record the causes, consequences and solutions to the dropout crisis in D.C. public schools.

Why: Because D.C.’s dropout rate is too high to ignore--nearly 50%, a number that has serious implications for both the youth themselves and the community as a whole.  Also, there will be:
-Great Photos – See powerful photos & writing by local students, and get the chance to talk to them about their work.
-Food & Drink – Make a donation of $35+ and enjoy free wine, beer and food.
-A Good Cause – All proceeds will support Critical Exposure, a D.C.-based nonprofit that teaches students how to use documentary photography and their own voices to advocate for school reform and social change.

Suggested Donations:
$35 Snapshooter: Cost of a 35-mm point-and-shoot camera.
$75 Shutterbug: Cost of exhibiting two students' photographs.
$150 Photo Pro: Cost of providing one student with a digital camera.
$500 Photojournalist: Cost of 1,000 photo postcards to send to policymakers.

Info: +1.202.745.3745 or info@criticalexposure.org or www.criticalexposure.org

Above right photo by Jaime Windon.
 

Friday
May 8
7:00pm - 10:00pm

The New Color
An exhibition of Corcoran photography majors
Host: Civilian Art Projects

Where: 87FLORIDA at 87 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Who:  Featuring Corcoran photography majors: Jake Dingman, Carrie Greenwood, William Knipscher, Caitlin Lennon, Collin Sundt, Michelle Yo

Why:  Because new speaks to you!  As Andy Grundberg writes in the foreword to the exhibition’s catalog, “every generation has the opportunity to create new art that speaks to its particular moment in history and culture.” The New Color displays six artists’ take on that moment as seen through the rich possibilities of light recorded on color film – a rapidly disappearing discipline in the digital era.

Info: +1.202.347.0022 or info@civilianartprojects.com or www.civilianartprojects.com

Above right photo:  "Undiscovered 4," by Collin Sundt 

Inked Souls Closing and B-Boy Battle
Host: Art Whino Gallery

When: Saturday, May 9, 2009; 6:00pm - 11:55pm 

Where: Art Whino, 2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA

Who: DJ Fleg in the house plus featured Photographers: Lady Glock, Michael Colon, James Walker , Roger Snider

Why:  Because you feel jipped on the 3rd sequel to "Breakin," or lack thereof, and you want to come out and see Breakers Battle 3 versus 3 for a $600 in Cash and Prizes.

Info: info@artwhino.com or www.artwhino.com