A Joint Conference with the Northeast Region

November 3-5, 2011

Syracuse, NY

Light Work & Syracuse University

SPE’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions are joining forces for this conference on the current state of publishing. Photographers are facing a very different world of publishing today with fewer options to work with a book publisher and entirely new opportunities for self-publishing and online promotion.

The 2011 conference presents viewpoints from artists, publishers, and bloggers who have found unique ways to bring the best photography to the image hungry public. Events include lectures, panel discussions, portfolio reviews, exhibition, including the exhibition “From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America” at the Everson Museum of Art.

Keynote: Alec Soth
Honored Educator: Doug DuBois
Featured Speakers: Mary Virginia Swanson and Darius Himes

Click here for information on submitting a conference proposal

2011 SPE MA – NE Regional Conference

Conference proposals are due by: June 30, 2011.

The purpose of the Aperture Portfolio Prize is to identify trends in contemporary photography and specific artists whom we can help by bringing them to a wider audience. In choosing the first-prize winner and runners-up, we are looking for work that is fresh and that hasn’t been widely seen in major publications or exhibition venues.

Fees

$25.00

Eligibility

Entrants must be current, paid subscribers of Aperture magazine (print or digital). Subscriptions must run through at least the Fall 2011 issue, #204 for 2011 entrants.

Requirements

To enter, go to www.callforentry.org, where, as of May 2, 2011, you will find a link to the 2011 Aperture Portfolio Prize competition along with step-by-step instructions on how to register. This user-friendly process was developed specifically for artists by the Western States Arts Federation. (A side benefit for entrants is the ability to submit work to other competitions around the country with minimal effort.)

Once you are registered, you will be asked to provide the following:

- 15 images with title/caption information

(if you do not have fifteen images, insert duplicate images)

- Resume/CV

- Statement of up to 250 words about your work. (Please include any relevant technical information, e.g., the original format and size.)

- Your Aperture magazine account number. (For help in locating the number or to subscribe at a discounted rate, see the FAQ

- $25 entry fee, payable during the online entry process.

- Artists may submit up to two separate portfolios of 15 images each. A separate Café profile and application is required for each entry. The $25 entry fee must be paid for each submission, though the same Aperture magazine account number can be used for both portfolios. Registration content is not transferable from one account to another.

Awards

In 2011, first prize is $3,000 and an exhibition at Aperture Foundation. The first-prize winner and runners-up are featured in Aperture’s website for approximately one year. Winners are also announced in the foundation’s e-newsletter, which reaches thousands of subscribers in the photography community.

Evaluation Criteria

When examining competition entries, Aperture’s editors and curatorial staff will consider the following criteria:

- Is the work new, e.g., created in the last five years?

- Is a theme or topic carried throughout the portfolio (of up to 15 images) in a consistent manner?

- Are the individual images strong compositionally and in their use of color or tone?

- What technical and presentation choices has the photographer made, and are they appropriate for the work? For example, is there a clear reason for using sepia-toned black and white versus a digitally enhanced palette?

- Does the body of work take an innovative or unique approach to the subject matter?