The judges for the seventh annual Photography Show and Contest in Eatonton have been selected.  Entries to the show will be accepted January 20 – 27.  The show will be at The Plaza Arts Center and will be open to the public February 18 – 24.  Please go to www.theplazaartscenter.com for all details and entry information.

The judges are Bonnie Gehling of Byron, GA and Jennifer Collins of Eatonton.

BONNIE R. GEHLING

Bonnie R. Gehling has two passions.  One is teaching, and the other is photography.  Bonnie received her Masters of Arts degree from The Ohio State University.  She retired in 2008 after teaching for 37 years.  She now teaches photography, both in the classroom and private lessons, focusing on the beginner photographer. Along with the two passions, she is developing a third skill for judging photos. She has judged the Georgia National Fair multiple times, the Strawberry festival, and judged photos from various clubs around the United States. Gehling believes that judging a photo is subjective, but the art of judging is taking the personal bias out and view the photo for what it is, an art form.  Gehling says that IMACT (what you feel when you first look at a photo) of a well composed photo is what brings a photo to life.

Bonnie has won many Best In Shows and numerous ribbons through her own photography, has been published in magazines, newspapers, and has created images for musical artists CD covers.  Gehling also conducts photography workshops geared toward the beginner, and has attended many workshops including, Yosemite, Moab, Costa Rica, Smoky Mountains, and St. Augustine to continue her own education.  Gehling is president of the Middle Georgia Camera Club for 2017.

JENNIFER COLLINS

 

Jennifer Collins is the owner and artist of JCollins Photography Studio which has been in business full time for over 16 years. JCollins is a very unique and personalized portrait business with two locations both in Eatonton, GA. Her residential gallery and studio includes a full service indoor studio and a countless number of constantly changing outdoor locations.

Collins graduated from GCSU with a BBA in IS (Information Systems), and Photography. She is a member PPA (Professional Photographers Association of America. And is one
of only 4 professionals in 50 miles to have earned the title of Certified Professional Photographer).

She attends national conventions everywhere from Texas to Atlanta at least twice every year to keep her credentials modern. She has merit certificates
from numerous classes including children’s study, digital artwork and marketing design just to name a few.

Collins’ work has been published in the “Working with Special Needs Children” Pat is a graduate of Georgia Tech and has always been involved in the arts.  She graduated as a graphic artist and was a 3-D animator for fifteen years.  She moved to Madison twelve years ago.  She currently does architectural photography and graphics for the real estate industry.  She also does oil painting and drawing.  When asked why she went to GA Tech to get an art degree, she responds that her father, brother and sister all graduated from Tech.  So it was family tradition.  While there, she was also the #1 player on the tennis team.

The criteria for judging the photographs will include three major areas.

    •     Technical expertise: exposure, proper color balance, focus and depth of field

    •    Composition: could include strong lines, curves, angles, etc., a good use of foreground and background and an overall pleasing balance to the photo

    •    Interest, impact or impression: Does the image attract the attention of the viewer?  This could be from the use of striking color, using a unique subject or lighting effect or any number of things that the photographer brings to the process.

   

All photographers are encouraged to share their talent and creativity with the public and to enjoy meeting other people with the same passion.  Direct questions to Maggie Mills at 404-281-6139 or the Plaza Arts Center at 706-923-1655.