The Language of Light
It’s Saturday, not Sunday and another installment. Tomorrow is a travel day and, incidentally, football playoff day – the extended end of a year and the beginning of a new one. Last fall, I had the opportunity to submit photographs to a selection competition for an exhibit. So, shallowing my ego and pride, I went through files and files of photographs and made selections of those I thought worthy. Deciding I needed an independent voice, I consulted my wife and asked her to go through the photos I had thought worthy and provide her impression (believe me, she is an independent voice). Between the two of us, 30 photographs were selected for submission: five photographs each in six categories of different perspective and content: In Nature, The Built World, The Human Experience, In Detail, Creative Angel, and Global View. Those who dabble in any type art usually view themselves in worse light than others – we are are our own harshest critics.
I anxiously awaited the verdict. When an email arrived in November announcing the selections, I was excited and hesitant; acceptance would validate a level of performance; the opposite, ego smashing rejection (or so one would think). Submitting any artistic product to unknown others takes a level of risk. Gathering sufficient fortitude to expose oneself is a hurdle in and of itself. I emailed the link to my wife and then opened the link with expectations of submitted demise. I was shocked. With expectations similar to checking the cut-list for sports tryouts, I scanned the list for my name. I was shocked and surprised. I found my name; I had succeeded in the endeavor. A total of almost 500 photos submitted by various photographers, 30 of those I had submitted (the maxim by allowed by each person). I checked the various categories and found that 19 had my name attached – I was elated, and nervous. Now, the public would render their decisions on the work I submitted, had accepted, and now presented for their evaluation. Even though I had a number of photos accepted, I am humbled and at the same time afraid of continuing the currently achieved level and, as one would expect, elevating that level to a new standard.
Did I win? No, I was fortunate to have submitted works that struck the emotional and technical strings of those making the selections. Each person who submitted experienced the same emotions and expectation of possible rejection as I. Each person worked just as hard to find their best work, make selections, and submit themselves into the arena of potential ego-dashing rejection. To the others who had photographs accepted my congratulations. To those who did not, my congratulations as well for crossing the threshold, and although perhaps not successful this time, have succeeded in putting themselves and their egos at a certain level of personal and emotional risk.
I am cautiously proud of this accomplishment. Now on to the voice of others who will judge outside the arena of Acceptance Committee eyes. The above montage contains all of the photos submitted; some have been posted here, many have not and may be in the future. If you are in the area, visit the exhibit and enjoy the work of all who were fortunate to have been selected. Photos are exhibited at Salt Lake County Libraries from February through April through the efforts of the Wasatch Camera Club.
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