Impressive Canada/Polar Bear Article by Noella Ballenger on Apogee Photo

I just came across a recent article by author and photographer Noella Ballenger on Apogee Photo Magazine. I really like reading essays by photographers that are accompanied by the writer’s images, and I think that Ms. Ballenger’s photos of polar bears, photographed by her in Canada, are very impressive. Noella Ballenger has many other informative and nicely illustrated photo essays on Apogee Photo, and the site has a lot of other content, including photo contests, free articles on how to take better photos, and online workshops. To go directly to Noella Ballenger’s polar bear article, visit this page.

Related link: Noella Ballenger’s website

FOTOFEST2008 News: Opening by ZHUANG Xueben Monday 3/10

Since I arrived at FOTOFEST2008 in Houston, I’ve been blown away by the sheer number of exhibitions and the quality of the work, both on the walls of galleries and museums throughout the city, as well as in the portfolios of those who are showing their work in The Meeting Place, in the hotel lobby, and in the areas just outside The Meeting Place on the second floor of the Doubletree Hotel-Downtown.

There will be an opening/public reception today, Monday, March 10 from 5:30-7PM at One Allen Center (connected to the Doubletree Hotel-Downtown). It is entitled: Ethnography, Western China, 1934-1939. The black and white photographs, scanned and printed from the original negatives are by Zhuang Xueben, and are absolutely stunning, both in their content and quality. The ArtsHouston Blog has an excellent overview of Zhuang Xueben and his images, which you can find here.

I learned from Gao Lei, photographer and founder of Q-Image, Beijing that all of the prints in the exhibition, and about 80% of the prints made for the 10 exhibitions of work by 32 Chinese artists were printed on HP Designjet Z3100 and Z6100 inkjet printers. The show will be on display until April 20, 2008.

Jay Maisel Lecure and Exhibition at the University of Houston 3/9/2008

Jay Maisel is someone whose imagery and words have had a tremendous impact on me. I’ve experienced his work through his many books, training programs such as the Epson Print Academy, his live lectures and print exhibitions at trade shows like the PhotoPlus Expo and Imaging USA, and galleries like the Soho Photo Gallery. When I walk on the streets of cities around the world with my camera (especially the big city closest to my heart-New York City), I often think to myself “What would Jay shoot?”

Jay Maisel will discuss his art and present new work at the University of Houston Downtown on Sunday, March 9 at 2PM. The event is hosted by the Houston chapter of the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers). Support for the presentation is provided by SanDisk. For a direct link to more information about the exhibition visit this page.

To see more of Jay Maisel’s work, visit his site at www.jaymaisel.com.