Photo Show Highlights West Kootenay Photographers
By Contributor
The Judging has been done, now it is time for the show!
The 29th Annual West Kootenay Camera Club’s Photo Show opens at 10 a.m.May 31st at the Kootenay Gallery at 120 Heritage Way in Castlegar. The Opening Gala begins at 6:30 p.m., a starting kickoff to Castlegar Sunfest fun! The show ends June 7 at 5 p.m. – the Gallery is closed Mondays.
The photo show is put on by the WKCC. Work on the show starts months earlier, from judges being booked to the sort of the entries to the judging day. WKCC members also volunteer their time to be out at the gallery during the show to ensure that any questions about the club and the show can be answered.
The show highlights the many talented photographers that live in the West Kootenay area. Some of the photographers on display belong to WKCC but this is not a requirement for the show. This year entries led the panel of judges to comment on the high level of photography on display on all the entries, not just the winners.
Categories for the photos are Wildlife, Nature, Human Interest, Creative Images, Flowers/Plants/Fruit, Portrait, Architecture, Landscape, Urban and Open with amazing photos in all categories.
Part of the tradition is voting on which photo the public feels is outstanding. This year the vote gets a new twist! All visitors to the gallery will be given a ballot so they can choose their favourite picture. Previously the vote was combined with the Loonie Prize draw, but this year the club decided to widen it to allow more people to vote for their favourite.
The Loonie Draw is a fun part of the show that many visitors take part in every year. Those attending the show between May 31 to Sunday June 2nd will have a chance to take part and win an amazing West Kootenay landscape. This year’s prize is a framed photo taken by Marie Croteau one of the members of the WKCC.
The WKCC has already started planning for next year when the club turns 30. Picture yourself taking better photos… This is the mandate of the WKCC. It was formed in February 1990 and has members from all over the West Kootenay. “Photography is not a great mystical thing”, says Ken Ferch, a founding member, “once you know the basics, the rest of just happens…photography is an art form, a medium of art.”
The club started with a dozen members and now has well over 50 that come and enjoy the chance to learn and socialize with others. Single membership is $30 per individual or $50 per family. Members enjoy field trips along with twice monthly meetings which always include education. All are welcome and there are photographers ranging from beginners to experts. If interested in learning more about WKCC visit their website at www.westkootenaycameraclub.com
See you at the show!
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