IPC2017 – Competition as Trauma Therapy

Trigger warning: This post contains photographs that some may find disturbing For the last year and a half I’ve removed myself to the fringes of the photographic & print competition communities. Over time, my voice has gone quiet in a number of ways. I stepped down from most of my volunteer roles. I stopped teaching, …

IPC 2015: Diamond – The Goal I Didn’t Reach

So. here we are. Are we going to do that awkward dance around the subject? Nah. Earlier this year, I made it public that my personal goal for IPC was to “go Diamond.” Original article HERE. That did not happen. Now, I’m not going to beat myself up about it, I came pretty close, with …

IPC2015: “And… Scene!” | The Aftermath

  #IPC2015 Wow. THE event of the year for some of us. If that  confuses you, go away and come back tomorrow, I’ve got some competition addicts to chat with today. So. How are you all feeling? I’m feeling a little bit weird. As usual. I’m reminded of a time from my past. For a …

IPC 2015: My Images have Been Judged, Now What? [Part 1]

The morning of Day 3 of the 2015 International Photographic Competition (hereafter known as IPC2015 and sometimes #IPC2015) has dawned. Early morning birdies are bellowing songs of joy and abandon. Obviously they don’t have images being judged or they wouldn’t be so bloody happy… But anyways… Some of you are just as happy as those …

IPC 2015: What’s In Your Case?

Because, yes, I certainly needed to waste even more time just days before the deadline by writing a blog post… What’s in your case? Some of you have your cases entered and shipped. Some of you don’t. Some of you are looking at the calendar and counting backwards from Thursday night at midnight.And being a …

Speaking/Judging at Montana PPA 2015

  I recently returned from Bozeman, Montana, the location of the 2015 Montana PPA convention. Aside from the location, I could swear I’d been in Ohio, except I didn’t know any of the faces or names of those around me. It’s delightful to meet a group of people that are more friends and family than …

Face-to-Face Photographic Education Reviews: 2014

I’m on a face-to-face education kick right now. I always have been; in choosing my own educational resources, I prefer face-to-face education, but after being exposed to some requests for online education for subjects that just should not be attempted online, I decided to be a little more vocal about my support of in-person classes. …

It’s Not Always About Winning

This article originally appeared in the November 2014 Issue of Southern Exposure, the magazine of the Southeast PPA District, page 13. View it here. * * * * * * * * * We’re gonna break my number one rule here and use the word “passion.” It’s pretty much a given fact that I’m passionate …

IPC 2014 is [almost] over, now what?

Whew! Was that a roller-coaster ride, or what? IPC 2014 exploded on the scene with a bang and will not be soon forgotten. The excitement of being able to view the judging live online added a whole new dimension to the competition this year! I’m happy, you’re happy, we’re all happy! So… yes, I know …