Shooting the West, Winnemucca's unique photo symposium, is scheduled for March 4-9.
Begun in 1988, Shooting the West has featured top flight photographers, writers, instructors, artists and adventurers. Over the years, many of the biggest names in photography have shared techniques and images with three hundred enthusiastic participants.
Diversity has become one of the hallmarks of the event. STW has showcased distinguished guests from the fields of photojournalism, photo-documentary, commercial, portraiture, travel, nature, wildlife, sports, fine art and National Geographic magazine.
Past photographers showcased include the late Galen Rowell, Adam Jahiel, nature specialist Franz Lanting, William Allard Allen, writer Linda Hussa, Sam Abell, Western photographer Barbara Van Cleve and many others. Workshops and programs offer photographers the opportunity to hone their skills, listen to or speak with skilled professionals, display their art, consult photo equipment vendors, schedule a one-on-one critique and network with others of similar interests.
The main symposium will be held Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. M.D. Welch begins the symposium with a presentation on the modern photographer's greatest challenge: preserving and organizing his photo collection, much of which is often in digital form. Welch is a professional photographer and video director/producer who has taught at the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College.
How does a photographer know which of his photos are marketable, which will have impact and can attract buyers? Mark Turney and Andrew Farewell will address this challenge - what they term "educating the photographer's vision" - to help photographers learn to objectively evaluate their images. Turney's background includes being Media General's photo bureau chief in Washington, D.C., for over 150 magazines. Farewell's original photographs have appeared in national newspapers and magazines and are in the collection of the Smithsonian.
Other symposium guests will speak on effectively using photography in the various social media such as Facebook; photo opportunities in Nevada; how to express your passions through photography; and a look at Winnemucca through historical and modern photographs.
Give It Your Best Shot is a juried show featuring the work of registered participants. Two prints can be entered in the contest and they will be exhibited in East Hall of the Convention Center.
In the last several years, workshops have been offered in the days preceding the symposium. Beginning photographers can choose among several workshops to learn how to use a digital camera. More instruction is available through a one-on-one meeting with a professional photographer. Sessions on photo editing software are available.
One workshop features the Holga, an inexpensive Chinese camera which has developed a cult following. Everyone will be outfitted with the Holga - which they keep - and one roll of film. The group will take photos and learn to make images from that roll of film.
All exhibits, Vendor's Alley, the Presenter's Galley and the Give it Your Best Shot exhibit are open to the public Friday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The community also can attend the Open House/Static Display at the Winnemucca Municipal Airport on Sunday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For information see www.shootingthewest.org, email info@shootingthewest.org or call (775) 623-3501/(877) 623-3501.[[In-content Ad]]
