Al Bond, executive director for the Avalon Foundation, has announced that this year’s 5th Annual Plein Air-Easton! Photography Competition in Talbot County, Maryland, will be bigger and better than ever. “Our goal is to make the Plein Air-Easton! Photography Competition more exciting and to encourage more competition and involvement of amateurs, hobbyists, and students,” stated Bond.
To add to the excitement, the Plein Air-Easton! Photography Competition will be expanded this year to allow photographers more time to create entries.
Rich in history, culture and beauty, Talbot County is a photographer’s nirvana. Any subject shot en plein air (in the open air) within Talbot County July 1-24, 2011 qualifies. These may include artists at work or play, landscapes, wildlife, maritime scenes, streetscapes, architectural scenes, environmental portraiture, or photographer’s choice.
The deadline for submissions to the Plein Air–Easton! Photography Competition is Saturday, July 29, at 5pm. All submissions must be made online at www.pleinaireaston.com.
This year’s awards have also been revamped. Best in Show will receive a cash prize of $500, and photographs selected for 2nd and 3rd place will receive a cash prize of $300 and $200 respectively. The Best Black and White award will be a framed A. Aubrey Bodine print. Cash awards may be awarded (at judge’s discretion) for the photo that best captures the Spirit of Plein Air-Easton! ($100), Best Landscape ($100), and Best Student ($100). Additional prizes and awards may be added and will be updated on the website, www.pleinaireaston.com.
The contest will be judged by Tony Sweet, an award-winning fine art nature photographer, author, workshop leader and educator from Maryland. “We are very fortunate to have him as our judge this year,” Bond says. Sweet has authored four books on the art of photography: Fine Art Nature Photography, Fine Art Flower Photography, Fine Art Nature Photography: Water, Ice, Fog, and Fine Art Digital Nature. In 2006, he was honored as the Nikon Legend Behind the Lens. Most recently, Sweet has produced educational/tutorial DVD’s titled “Flower Photography” and “Tony Sweet’s Visual Literacy.” Sweet maintains an active speaking schedule, addressing professional photography organizations, universities, seminars, and teaching workshops. To learn more about Tony Sweet visit: www.tonysweet.com.
On July 16, 22 and 23, a number of free workshops will be held in Easton for photographers of all levels. The sessions will range from classes on composition to how to use that new point-and-shoot camera. Anyone with an interest in photography is encouraged to attend. Classes will be held at the Easton Gallery of Photographic Arts located at 21 Hanson Street. The classes will be led by local and regional photographers. Information on the instructors and time of each workshop will be announced and posted at www.pleinaireaston.com.
The Plein Air-Easton! Photography Competition is the work of the Avalon Foundation, and supported by the Talbot County Arts Council and the Easton Gallery of Photographic Arts. Awards have been contributed by aaubreybodine.com, the Tidewater Camera Club, Garden Treasures, and the Carney Family.
For more information on the 2011 Plein Air-Easton! Photography Competition visit: www.pleinaireaston.com.
In photo:
Award winning fine art nature photographer Tony Sweet will judge this year’s expanded Plein Air–Easton! Photography Competition.