12x12: Do you remember how to take a good photo?

If you only had one shot to capture “Loud,” what would you take a photo of? In Jason Strelaeff’s interpretation, the silent screech emanating from two welders on a construction site resonated on film. What if you had a go at “High Hope”? Michael Lawrence’s wistful depiction of a jersey-clad hockey youth gazing out at a team on an ice rink scored a win, as did Philip Wu’s imaginative use of bokeh for “Panhandle” and Aaron MacFarlane’s originality for Best Series.

Representing the four main winners of the 2009 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon, these images were digitally printed on 24x36 canvas and magnificently framed by Opus Framing and Art Supplies, one of 12x12’s primary sponsors and strongest supporters. Along with about 700 other photos developed by London Drugs, these giclée prints were showcased at the Vancouver Photo Workshops to over 300 art enthusiasts on opening night alone. The winning entries were then ‘elevated’ to the Vancouver Lookout for another two months, making the inaugural 12x12 such an unprecedented success that its planners are not waiting a whole year to hold their second. On Sunday, September, 12th 2010, sixty photographers will once again converge at Blenz Coffee to launch this year’s challenge.

Equipped with nothing but their 35mm camera and a marked roll of film with only 12 exposures, marathoners will be given 12 themes, one per
hour, to interpret and capture on film. The first will be revealed at 8am with subsequent ones randomly drawn at the top of every hour until the marathon ends at 8pm. As in the first year, themes will be as varied and broad as the imagination and marathoners will be given carte blanche to interpret them. There are no do-overs so snap-happy photographers beware!

Event founder Morten Rand-Hendriksen initiated this project from a desire to offer both recreational and professional shutterbugs an opportunity to brandish their talents as well as Vancouver’s many charms in a way never before done. “Everyone’s an artist in their own inimitable way and how better to showcase them than with a good old-fashioned competition?” said Rand-Hendriksen.

Negatives will be developed and judged after the marathon, the results of which will be revealed in a public exhibit on October 16th, 2010, at which time prizes will be awarded to the best prints.

The competition is open to any person with a 35mm film camera. Last year’s 12x12 welcomed men and women from all walks of life, from professional photographers, to a construction worker, a dental hygienist, and even a diamond mine worker from the Northwest Territories! All you need is a love of photography, a 35mm camera, creative ideas and lots of energy.

So, do you remember how to take a good photo? There’s one way to find out, and it’s a fun one!

To learn more about the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon, please visit www.VancouverPhotoMarathon.com.