Comox Valley Camera Club members will see about eight months of hard work culminate in one night of photography and music next week.
The club is presenting ImageFest, its first slideshow extravaganza, Jan. 29 at the Sid Williams Theatre.
More than 32 Comox Valley Camera Club (CVCC) members will showcase their work in 31 slideshows featuring action photos, landscapes, wildlife, nature, portraits, seascapes and much more — all accompanied by music.
The show will cater to many different kinds of tastes and to all ages, with a range of photography styles and a mix of subject matter and scenes both local and international.
“We’re very pleased with the variety both in subject matter and in the music people chose to go with their work,” said club member Lin Auerbach.
The event will also include displays of framed and matted prints, most of which will be available for sale by contacting the photographer(s) during or following the event.
The CVCC was inspired by the Joy of Photography, which the Harbour City Photography Club in Nanaimo has put on for many years.
“A number of us have gone down and attended and enjoyed it,” said Auerbach. “For the last four years, we’ve been coming home and saying, ‘We could do that.’ That’s where the idea came from, but we didn’t want to be stepping on their toes either.”
In June, CVCC member Tony Gusman sent an e-mail to the general membership saying they should do their own show.
“The response I got from people volunteering was incredible,” he said.
Eight people joined the planning committee.
“I think we realize, certainly those of us on the committee, that the work we’re doing this year, because it’s something so new, we’re setting the groundwork, and we’re setting the bar high,” said Auerbach.
Harbour City Photography Club members allowed the CVCC to interview them and learn about their process.
“They have been so generous in giving us ideas and suggestions, for which we are very grateful,” said Auerbach.
CVCC member Diana Pohl is looking forward to ImageFest “immeasurably.”
“It’s exciting,” she said.
Pohl is impressed with the variety, the scope of the work, the time commitment and effort that everyone has put into the show.
“Some people have literally sweat blood to make their production just so,” she said. “I think it shows commitment to their art and to the show … I think it’s made the club itself grow through the process.”
Gusman is eager for CVCC members to showcase their talent.
“It has been and remains a terrific amount of work,” he said. “It’s a heck of a challenge but at the same time extremely exciting. We have an amazing amount of talent in the camera club. We’re up to about 130 members right now. Another reason for ImageFest was to have the opportunity to showcase our talented work.”
Auerbach is looking forward to seeing the reaction of the public to their photographs.
“I’m really curious to be on the sidelines seeing the reactions around me,” she said.
During ImageFest, members of the public will be asked to choose their three favourite works, and the winning photographer will be announced within the club.
Refreshments and a cash bar will round out the evening, and there will be door prizes.
“We’ve had great support from the community as far as door prizes and sponsorships go,” said Pohl. “We have three major sponsors and nine or 10 secondary sponsors who have provided out of the goodness of their hearts to make the show a go and make it a draw. They are to be commended and thanked.”
ImageFest is being held Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sid Williams Theatre.
People will be encouraged to linger after the show and speak to members of the CVCC, who will be easily identified by their nametags.
Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at the Sid Williams Theatre box office or online at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.
Following the show, the photographs featured at ImageFest will be displayed at Rhodos Coffee Roasting Company in Courtenay for the month of February.
For more information about the CVCC, visit www.comoxvalleycameraclub.org.
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