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.

Sign Up and Support or Be Supported

By Betsy Spruill Clarke

Okay, so, being that I have 2 shoots today--one a gig and one for DC Shot List--as well as the fact that I'm behind on finishing 2 other projects AND I haven't written in DC Shot List in a week and a half, I woke up at 3AM with a head full of worries.  So, among loads of laundry, transferring photos, and re-writing contracts, I jumped on Facebook just to catch up and see what's new in the photography community and discovered that today is the official online opening of Talenthouse - an online arts community.

My friend, Kate Michael, who is one of the hosts of The District Dish as well as Examiner columnist and friend, revealed in her article "Move Over MySpace?" that this new site designed to "aid emerging and established artists and assist in creating an online creative collaboration," will go live today (June 30)!

According to Kate, Talenthouse's alpha phase has already rolled in 25,000 artists--including the likes of curator Dan Cameron as well as model Naiomi Cambell.  Also endorsed by Jay-Z, Talenthouse was started by British recording artist Amos Pizzey with a goal to inspire collaborative work.

Though similar sites, such as Creative Hotlist and Washington Project for the Arts (WPA), are already on top of this initiative, there is always room for more.  Creative Hotlist, by Communication Arts Magazine, is more of a hybrid between a job board and an online community for graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, etc.  Creative Hotlist also charges to display a portfolio, whereas Talenthouse and WPA do not.

Both Talenthouse and WPA offer the opportunities for artists and art supporters to meet, share portfolios and collaborate on projects--perfect for those who have been hesitant about MySpace, Facebook, etc. but desire to network amongst the art community and supporters.  However, both are different in their own way.  Talenthouse offers a more global networking format, whereas WPA has the DC (and I would argue East Coast) region covered.

I did sign up and you can see my half-assed page at www.talenthouse.com/fotomaven although I would recommend waiting a few days until I've had time to make it a full-assed page ;) adding the usual info, as well as some of my projects that I've been working on, especially my portrait portfolio.

In the meantime, I strongly encourage any and all artists and supporters to create your profiles.  Shoot them my way!  Lemme see whatcha got!