It’s safe to say that after more than 150 years of existence, photography has covered just about every subject in existence. There isn’t much that hasn’t been explored, and yet, the best photographers continue to bring forth new work that makes us see the world in different ways.
The Houston Center For Photography recently opened its 33rd annual juried membership exhibition and I was slightly overwhelmed by both the quality and diversity of work on display. The work from 34 photographers worldwide covers just about every gamut of photography: still-life, abstract, documentary, landscapes and a few that defined categories of their own.
Juror Russell Lord had the task of sorting through work from 187 different artists and selecting the best of the lot. What he came up with is an example of everything that fine art photography can be. The criteria was both broad and specific. There was no specific theme; he chose those artists who had a clear goal and whose work met that goal.
He demonstrated again the need for a photographer to have a clear goal in mind before picking up the camera. What does this image seek to accomplish? What’s the best way to make that statement or tell that story? To be sure, there is plenty of room for experimentation and discovery, but ultimately, an image has to have a clear idea of its own intent.
“I have tried to highlight the diversity of photography and of HCP’s membership in my selection, but I am sure I would’ve missed may worthy images and projects,” he said in the exhibit’s opening reception.
The work of these artist is on display through October 4.