December 2022 Match Brief - Life in the Slow Lane with Guest Judge Viktoria Haack

DECEMBER 2022 50/50 MATCH BRIEF

“His knowledge of place was the kind that lives in the body and ripens to understanding only with time. As he walked along the mountain's whispering flanks, the pines became his bones, the summer wind, his breath, and his boots, the grizzly's step. Gradually and finally, over the years, demarcation between man and land faded away.” ~excerpt from, “Talking With Bears: Conversations with Charlie Russell” by G A Bradshaw

 

Life in the Slow Lane with Viktoria Haack

Prior to the pandemic, people accustomed to (or obsessed with) instant gratification found the idea of slowing down foreign if not terrifying. Unable to carry on with busy-ness, people downshifted, engaging in things they previously didn’t take or make time to enjoy. The internet was briefly flooded with images of plants and gardens, sourdough recipes, playful recreations of famous works of art, and links to socially-distant places to enjoy nature. As the world has re-opened, however, many of us seem to have once again filled our lives with a busy-ness that makes it difficult if not impossible to continue living a “slow” life. 

Photographer Viktoria Haack’s background and interest in anthropology, fine art, and conservationism shapes her relationship with her craft. She loves “slow photography,” an approach that is perhaps best summed up in her own words: “...tread lightly; observe and search out the subtle visual story...” Her incredible environmental portraiture reflects a distinct departure from taking snapshots in favour of creating stunning images that gently but persistently urge the photographer taking time to develop an intentional connection with both her subject and their location.

After a stint running in the rat race that threw her work-life balance off, she now chooses to set the pace for herself by being intentional with the projects she takes on. For the December Match Brief, Viktoria suggests Challengers embrace this opportunity to voluntarily enter life in the slow lane again, and create a mindful portrait, intentionally guided by the patience, empathy, and authentic connection only time and intent will permit.

Whether the image you submit is taken indoors or out, your submission must a) feature a human and/or domestic animal as the subject, b) contain a strong central element of the environment or environmental stewardship, and c) portray human connection and emotion.

Shooters, you have until 11:59 MST December 21, 2022 to submit your entry. Even if you ultimately end up submitting an image you’ve previously taken, we encourage you to spend some time enjoying life in the slow lane for this month’s Challenge!



OBJECTIVES

TECHNICAL AND CREATIVE: portraiture, environmental portraiture; 
EDI: intent, mindfulness, human connection, slow photography, environmental stewardship, scale, nature, conservation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

July 2023 50/50 Challenge with Guest Judge Monika Deviat

Image
“I am a forest, and a night of dark trees: but he who is not afraid of my darkness, will find banks full of roses under my cypresses.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra “A man must dream a long time in order to act with grandeur, and dreaming is nursed in darkness.” ― Jean Genet MATCH BRIEF Historically, Indigenous peoples around the globe have treasured the night sky. The stars were used to navigate the land and sea while stories inspired by them were used to teach everything from science and natural law to spirituality and family history. Many of these stories have been lost or forgotten as a result of colonisation, which is why Cree knowledge-keeper Wilfred Buck has spent decades collecting and reconstructing long-lost star stories and teaching them to others, including his own community, and rekindling a passion for stargazing with events like Tipis and Telescopes. Not everyone loves being under a blanket of stars, though. Robbed of daylight, our senses heightened, we
Read more

Congratulations July 2023 50/50 winner Darlene Hildebrandt

Image
Congratulations to Darlene Hildebrandt, winner of July 2023's 50/50 challenge A Shot in the Dark with guest Judge Monika Deviat. Darlene is an internationally-respected photographer and mentor who has been a supporter from the moment The Shooting Range: A Photography Challenge began, serving as one of our Season One Panel Judges in 2021. Darlene has spent the last couple of years becoming a strong ally to the Indigenous community and decided to throw her hat in the ring for this month's challenge with her image Totem Trickster . Be sure to check out Darlene's website and YouTube channel as well as give her a follow on her socials! Website  |  Instagram  |  YouTube  |  Facebook  |  Gallery Totem Trickster Here's what Darlene had to say about this image: In many Indigenous stories and myths, the raven is a trickster – a foolish and childlike troublemaker. He is a shape-shifter and wanderer who can travel between the tangible world and the spiritual world. There are even
Read more

Say Hello to Dara Ojo!

Image
Say hello to Dara Ojo, Rare Earth Outreach's Guest Judge for the August 2023 50/50 Challenge! The Match Brief drops August 1st, 2023, so until then we suggest you spend a little time getting to know this month's Guest Judge. This Nigerian-born native has spent many years living abroad, including time in the UK and China, and currently calls Canada home. His early years playing with a busted Nikon didn't translate to a passion for photography until the pandemic hit. With the planet at a dead standstill and left at the mercy of global restrictions on who and how and when we interacted with the world around us, Dara started (quite literally) looking at the world through a different lens: a macro lens! We look forward to helping you get to know more about Dara in the coming weeks and dropping the Match Brief on August 1, 2023, but if this little teaser leaves you wanting more, a quick Google search will bring back loads of videos, interviews, and accolades we just don't hav
Read more