Published: July 09, 2009 06:41 pm      

One, two, three....Say cheese

Annual event creates exposure for photographers

BEAUMONT — Two area organizations have joined together for the fifth consecutive year to share an event which some consider a hobby, while others consider it an art, with the public this week.

The Beaumont Art League and Beaumont Camera Club will hold the fifth annual Photography Show beginning today inside the Beaumont Art League building, located at 2675 Gulf St. in Beaumont near the old fair grounds.

The show will hang in the Brown Gallery starting today through July 31. The Beaumont Art League is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. A special opening reception will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., this Saturday.

This annual event has quickly and quietly become a popular event with area photographers, both amateur and professional. In 2008, the Photography Show had its largest submission of photographs ever as more than 120 entries were submitted by dozens of camera club and art league members, as well as non-members.

Matthew Fortenberry, president of the Beaumont Camera Club, said there are many reasons why this event has manages to bring out so many imaginative individuals.

“We have a lot of people who participate because they get the opportunity to have their work be shown in a real gallery,” Fortenberry said. “It’s not often that almost any photographer, regardless of their experience level, can have that chance.”

Fortenberry said this exhibit, which is also judged and cash prizes awarded, includes basic photography such as portraits, landscapes and animal, but so much more.

“There is always something to catch your eye,” Fortenberry added. “We have black and white images, the human figure, digital experimental photography, abstract work, and more. There is a lot of high quality work which is visually pleasing, and there are a lot of large pieces which tend to catch your eye.”

In 2008, the first prize was a cash award of $300 and a total of $750 in cash and prizes was awarded. Although less than 100 entries were received this year, more than $1,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to winning images, including a $500 cash award for first place.

Dana Dorman, director of the Beaumont Art League, said she and the newly elected Board of Directors, are happy with the number of photographs submitted for the contest and exhibit and to continue building the organization’s relationship with the camera club.

“We are ecstatic to work with the Beaumont Camera Club and to be a venue for photography,” Dorman said in a telephone interview. “It’s exciting to have so many area photographers enter this event year after year, and this is the first year we will have two galleries filled with photographs.”

Dorman said she always enjoys viewing what area photographers, regardless of experience level, submit for the photography show.

“There is so much to see it’s just amazing,” Dorman added. “There is subject matter for everyone, and, in my opinion, is a family friendly event. Even the images of the human form are tastefully done and are just one aspect of the show.”

This year’s surprise judge for the contest is the renowned area photographer simply known as Gayletta, owner of Gayletta’s Photographic Studio and Gallery in Nederland, Texas.

According to her website, www.gayletta.com, she is a member of the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston, Guild of Southeast Texas, Texas Professional Photographers, and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). In 1998, she received her Photographic Craftsman degree from the PPA. In 2000 she earned her PPA Certification, and in 2004, she earned her Master of Photography.

Gayletta judged this year’s competition with her assistant photographer, Melissa Hawkins.

“Several photos really caught our eye as soon as we walked into the gallery,” Gayletta said in a telephone interview. “It was very exciting to walk in and see so many prints, especially when so many digital images don’t get printed now and just end up in that big black box called a computer.”

Gayletta said she and Hawkins each walked around the gallery and made notes on the photographs they each liked. They then compared notes and made final judgments in order to select placements for first, second and third, as well as four honorable mention placements.

“There are so many photos which have great composition and great use of light,” Gayletta continued. “And it was wonderful to see so many novice photographers include their work with more experienced photographers. An event like this just creates a great atmosphere and is such a plus to learn and better their craft.”

For more information, contact the Beaumont Art League at 409-838-4179 or visit the Beaumont Camera Club online at www.beaumontcameraclub.com.



Tommy Mann Jr. is a reporter for The Orange Leader. He can be reached at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com