Q: I heard that an Ansel Adams competition and exhibition was scheduled at the Hudgens Center. Can you tell me about it?
A: Yes, this is the 'Stand in Ansel Adams Footsteps' black-and-white photography competition to be held starting Feb. 15 in the Georgia Gallery at The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning in Duluth.
Added this year is the exhibition of the photos entered. This competition is for amateurs, hosted by the Georgia Nature Photographer Association, and open to any member.
“For a period of time Adams worked for the National Park Service and was very instrumental in developing photography as a way to show the general public, not just the beauty, but the love of nature in wilderness and the desire to save it for future generations to come,” said Stewart Woodard, who leads the Gwinnett Chapter of the GNPA and organizes the event.
Woodard’s idea to honor Adams initiated the competition. Each year it is held around his Feb. 20 birthdate.
The number of entries have grown and “the quality of what people submit just blows me away,” he said.
“In trying to level the playing field, it is divided into two divisions: novice and enthusiast,” Woodard said.
Those in the novice category have less than 3 years experience and have never competed before. Enthusiasts have competed and have more than three years under their belt.
Each division has three categories: landscape, up close and personal, and the third falls under an “open” theme.
“It’s up to the own photographer’s vision, but the goal is still to try to create the look and feel of an Ansel Adams’ photograph,” Woodard said.
The GNPA has eight chapters in Georgia with over 750 members, according to Woodard.
“There are a lot of photography clubs and groups in the Atlanta metro and state, but we are the only one that I am aware of that focuses strictly on nature photography,” he said
On opening day at 3 p.m., judge Mark Green will talk about his his relationship to Adams, his career as a photographer and what’s it been like to judge this competition.
The Awards Reception will be held on Adams’ birthday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Birthday cake included.
The exhibit is free to the public, Feb. 15 to April 22. Hours vary.
Located in the Infinite Energy Center: Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway #300, Duluth (770-623-6002).
For more information, visit www.gnpa.org; www.thehudgens.org.
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