In the Hands of the Jurors

Thank you to all who shared photos with us. We understand the experience of entering a juried competition. One hundred fourteen photographers entered this year -- 57 new and 57 returning. SlowExposures has become such a national show, we received entries from 13 states and 36 cities in Georgia.

This year we decided to only have one category and to allow up to six entries per photographer. Most photographers entered the maximum number -- although a few entered less. It is going to be a tough job for the jurors to choose the photos for the show from the great group of entries that we have.

It was an interesting time -- to make the leap to all online entry and we appreciate everyone's patience during some of the work throughs -- especially those volunteers with the show providing assistance to photographers not used to the automated system. Notifications for the show will go out at the beginning of August.

Good luck to all -- and mark your calendars for the events during September. Check the website for all events scheduled. We are adding a portfolio review this year and some spaces are still available.

What Is SlowExposures?

During the past couple of weeks I have heard this question. Many people want to know what kind of photos should they enter, what type of work is usually in the show, just what 'is' SlowExposures?

SlowExposures began in 2003 as a way to showcase the rural south -- as it is and as it is perceived. The show is fulled with diverse fine art photography submitted by photographers from many states. Some of those photographers live in the rural south, others simply love to visit. As a show SlowExpsoures is evolving, just as photographers' work evolves. This year the entry procedure is completely online making it easier for everyone to get their entries in before the deadline. We have heard many stories of photographers rushing to the post office at the last minute to make it in before the cut off postmark date passes.

Another change for 2010 is the combination of the categories. In the past, there was a separate category for photographs taken in the West Central Georgia geographic area. Now SlowExposures has one category -- the southeast. No more dragging a map out to see if your photo fits the WCG area!

Back to the question of what photos should one enter. That is always such a personal choice for the photographer. Usually it is nice to view a show -- just to see what is there. Depending on the juror, visions can be slightly different; but the overall feel of the show remains. If you are interested in getting that entry in -- remember the deadline is June 15 at midnight -- and you have not been to the exhibit before, you can preview the 2009 showbook at blurb by clicking this link. The SlowExposures website has a gallery of images from last year's events and the winning images.

The exhibit returns to the newly renovated R.F. Strickland Building in Concord this year. Make plans to attend the show and events. It is going to be a great year!

Brett M. Levine, Slow Exposures 2010 Juror

Brett M. Levine is the director of the Visual Arts Gallery of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He is the former Team Leader, Collection Programs, at the Dowse Art Museum, Wellington, New Zealand. Over the past decade, he has curated photography exhibitions by Jane Hammond, Joyce Tenneson, and John Waters among others. He has written for numerous publications, including Art Papers, Object, Art New Zealand, the New Zealand Journal of Photography and Ubris, he has presented at the Society of Photographic Educator's annual conference. His curatorial interests include photography of the moving object, as well as digital and time-based media.

Jack Spencer, Slow Exposures 2010 Juror

Jack Spencer was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi and raised in Louisiana. He is a self-taught American photographer whose first monograph, Native Soil, explored the people and landscapes of his native South.

His work includes "Apariciones" based on three years in Mexico, and the Lost Boys series which examined the lived of the young men displaced from the Sudan who relocated to the Nashville area. Jack was instrumental in establishing the Lost Boys of Sudan Foundation that is committed to the reunification and living enhancement of these young men.

Recognized as an accomplished photographer, Jack is also known as a prolific traveler who avoids interstate highways and does his best to get lost on back country roads. He is represented by leading contemporary photography galleries in the United States and his work hangs in collections throughout the country and abroad.