Auditorium by James Rajotte

James Rajotte

Currently residing in: Rochester, NY

Website: http://jamesrajotte.net

Work Statement: Photography, I feel, offers the opportunity to greater explore and express an individual's interest in the visual world. I find that my interest is piqued when I am exploring new places, or meditating on familiar ones.

I began working as a photojournalist during my undergraduate education with internships at newspapers, but found myself constantly trying to appease a demographic that wanted to see their own communities as problem-free. During my graduate studies, I have had the chance to re-evaluate my own ideas about the role of images in society.

My current work contends that our day-to-day visual environments can be deceptively oppressive and subconsciously discouraging. I feel that still photographs offer viewers the unique opportunity to realize that this contention is true.

The photographs from the project School address the oppressive environment of American public education. The images in the series are meant to symbolically convey a sense of hopelessness, rigidity, banality and intimidation.

Bio:
James Rajotte (b. 1980) is a photographer currently living in Rochester, NY. After growing up in rural Pennsylvania, James studied Earth Sciences at Penn State University. He then worked as a photojournalist for several publications during and after his undergraduate education. Currently James is an MFA student at the Visual Studies Workshop.

Man With Bear by Nadia Sablin

Nadia Sablin

Currently residing in: Brooklyn, NY

Website: www.nadiasablin.com

Work Statement:
I was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union, a city and country that no longer exist. The names changed after I left, the substance too. After growing up and getting a photo degree in the US, I went back. Not to St. Petersburg, and not to Russia—the legality of that was complicated. I found myself in Ukraine, in a small town where the Old World still existed. There is a sculpture garden where cows and goats pasture. People get water from wells. Traveling circus and zoo is a high form of entertainment. I took pictures for two years. The faces, the expressions of the people I encountered made me feel like I was in a fairy tale, a place Other Than. I tried to capture them as they were: old, dignified, magical.

Bio:
When I was twelve, my family moved from the center of baroque Leningrad to a cheap apartment in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. There, I found a way back to beauty through art and photography. I attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and subsequently Rochester Institute of Technology, from which I graduated in 2002 with a degree in Photography. I traveled extensively through the United States, falling in love with America and its landscape. It wasn't until my moving to Ukraine for two years, that I began to photograph people. Currently I'm exploring portraiture in Brooklyn, NY. I am 26, and feel there is no better age to be.

Untitled by Joseph Holmes

Another great way to promote emerging artists is through JPG Magazine. It's true, I was even in their very first issue! The sixth issue called Oops features our own Fall '05 Hot Shot, Joseph Holmes.

There's magic in mistakes. There's something special in the spontaneous. Because it's in those moments when photography becomes more than just a document. It becomes something real.

This issue of JPG is about your best "Oops!" photos. Whether it was faulty settings, old film, the random photo on the last frame of film, or the last photo a camera ever took, this issue features some of the finest slip-ups, freak-outs, and happy accidents ever captured on film or pixels.

All their past and current issues are on sale now, so support emerging artists and see some great work! You can view Joseph's Museum of Natural History series here on Flickr.

The winners of the Summer edition of Hey, Hot Shot! will be announced soon so be sure to check back!

Rebecca by Rebecca Soboti

Dennis by Rebecca Soboti

Oh my! You only have less than 6 hours left to submit! Deadline is 6PM EST TODAY!

Rebecca Soboti's images are inspired by family, traditions, and nostalgia. She's interested in what she calls "archiving change" by continually shooting her family through years and years.

Over the years, my photographs have evolved from focusing exclusively on my family to including inanimate objects and scenery to unify larger themes. My latest project, Monmouth, examines my family throughout a period of three years as my sisters and I endure our parents' painful divorce. The photographs I am submitting illustrate pieces from the project Monmouth, which can be viewed in its entirety at www.rebeccasoboti.com

Get those submissions in now!

Apple Sweat 1 by Derek Powazek

Apple Sweat 2 by Derek Powazek

For all you on the East Coast, remember when it was scorching hot on the first week of August? It was so hot that certain parts of the city's power went out, people died, and people just wanted to stay indoors with the air conditioner on. Derek Powazek was visiting the city with his wife during that week and captured the hardcore heat people endured in the streets. He used the non-intrusive Lomo LC-A camera to capture New Yorkers since his Holga was melting and the digital SLR was too in-your-face for fellow natives.

My camera found New York in a rare moment. A city of incredible diversity, united in sweat. From Chinatown to the Village to Coney Island, New Yorkers were out in the world, doing their jobs, making the best of it. By the time the rain started to fall and the heat began to fade, we felt a new bond with the people who call NYC home.

You better get your submissions in before 6PM EST tomorrow!!!!

Abandoned Car, New Orleans LA. by Sara Macel

Saint Patrick's Day Parade, New Orleans LA. by Sara Macel

Sara Macel's photography stems from her personal life, particularly her relationship with the South. These images are taken from her trip to New Orleans six months after Hurricane Katrina.

Beyond seeking out photographs of the destruction, I was also able to capture images from the city's Saint Patrick's Day parade and remnants from Louisiana's plantation era. Living and photographing in the South, I have witnessed the regions familiarity with defeat. From the Civil War to the constant threats of nature and the overwhelming heat, Southerners have an ingrained ability to bear hardship.

Tuesday, the 15th is the deadline so get them in now!!!

The Commute, AM, Plane by David Franck

The Commute, PM, V by David Franck

David Franck's goal is to gel painting with photography to create images that meld together through colors, lines, and ambiance. The photographs he created are one of the most seamless multiple exposures that I've seen. (Maybe thanks to the lovely smog in California.) From his statement:

The landscape of California has been my subject for going on 15 years. The light and colors combined with the smog is an endless facination for me. Although I enjoy historical and documentry style of photography, I find my path to be one of collage, collection and manufacture to be more interesting than roaming around the city waiting to capture whichever images fall my way.

Remember, the deadline is this TUESDAY, AUG. 15 at 6PM EST!

To Sir, With Love by Katie Watson

Untitled by Katie Watson

These images by Katie Watson have a nostalgic feeling, from the fading colors to the subject matter. Katie likes to leave images to tell the viewer what it means, with no BS about conceptualizing the idea. From her statement:

I love surreal images, bold colors, as well as stark images lacking color. It interests me to see images juxtaposed, too. In my photos, I use the figure a lot, and I love seeing other artists' unique take on the conventional subject. On the whole, I feel that art needn't always adhere to long-winded explanations, which are usually difficult to grasp. I don't like to focus on conceptualizing, and looking for symbols where they don't exist. Somtimes meaning behind art is necessary, but I like things simple, with a bit of mystery.

Ok, kids. The deadline is creeping up so get your submissions in before Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6PM EST!

Auditorium by James Rajotte

School Yard by James Rajotte

James Rajotte's photographs investigate the "oppressive environment of American public education." His deadpan style emphasizes the institution of each environment. A blurb from his statement:

Photography, I feel, offers the opportunity to greater explore and express an individual's interest in the visual world. I find that my interest is piqued when I am exploring new places, or meditating on familiar ones.

The images in the series are meant to symbolically convey a sense of hopelessness, rigidity, banality and intimidation.

We're inching closer and closer to the panelist judging so remember to send your best in! We're waiting for them! Deadline is Tuesday, August 15 at 6PM EST!

John Trainer #1 by Juliana Beasley

Frieda 2 by Juliana Beasley

We have received a wide range of submissions and Juliana Beasley's photographs demonstrate another variety in the way images can be taken. In these images, she got to know certain people that are overlooked on some basis by the mainstream: the poor, the elderly, the mentally ill, alcoholics, or drug addicts. A blurb from her statement:

For me, this project confronts various levels of marginalization. There is, first of all, a geographic marginalization insofar as all of this takes place on a peninsula at the far-flung edge of the city where the fog rolls over the beaches. Secondly, there is the social marginalization, the fact that the subjects are poor, physically or mentally challenged, and otherwise living far outside the mainstream, virtually invisible. Finally, and most importantly perhaps, there is the interior marginalization, a loneliness that I attempted to capture in the portraits, a sense of personal isolation that is often exacerbated by or results in alcoholism or drug addiction.

We've got less than a week until the deadline. Keep them coming!

We've got another guest panelist to add to judge the Summer Hey, Hot Shot! If you ever read popular photography magazines, you'd probably have come across Popular Photography! We've got Jay DeFoore, editor of Popphoto.com, to help pick out the best 10 photographers from the submissions. Here's a little bio about Mr. DeFoore:

After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Jay DeFoore relinquished his Texas citizenship and moved to New York in 2000 hoping to become the next Lester Bangs. He scored his first job as a web producer for Billboard.com, which got him freelance gigs writing reviews of CDs and live shows for Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter. In 2002 he realized that photographers led more exciting lives than pop stars, so he began working for Photo District News (PDN) as a reporter and news editor. He is currently the editor of PopPhoto.com, the online home of Popular Photography & Imaging and American Photo magazines, but still likes a good concert every now and again.

Photographers lead more exciting lives than pop stars? Good thing I picked the right gig!

We're looking for Fall interns at the jb. Interested? Read the internship description over on the jen bekman blog and then send your resume and fascinating, unique, original and witty cover letter to internship AT jenbekman DOT com.

Dolphin Street by Jonathan Gitelson


Congress Theatre by Jonathan Gitelson

Oh, fliers are like the prehistoric version of internet spam. A submission by Jonathan Gitelson displays the collection of fliers he received from parking near club venues in Chicago. A little blurb from his artist statement:

I began collecting the fliers from my car and from the sidewalk around my home. By January of 2005, I had collected over 1000 fliers, enough to cover my entire car. I spent three months hand-sewing the fliers together to create a car cover and have photographed the car, with car cover, parked in front of the clubs from whom I had received fliers.

The Car Project was completed in December of 2005 and consists of eight large-scale photographs. Each exhibition print is digitally printed at 40 X 50 which allows the viewer to read the individual fliers within each photograph.

Keep those submissions rolling in. Deadline is August 15 at 6pm EST!

Taranka by Nadia Sablin


Man With Bear by Nadia Sablin

This submission from Nadia Sablin brings us back to the Old World. I've never had the chance of seeing countrylife or know the excitement of the traveling circus/zoo. Nadia was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union, a city that does not exist anymore. She came to the states to grow up and study and decided to go back, not necessarily back to Russia but in a little town in Ukraine, where people still gather water from wells. She captured portraits of people that inhabited this small town, which she calls a place that reminded her of a fairy tale.

Alright, remember the deadline has been extended. New deadline is Tuesday, August 15 at 6pm EST.

Good news people!

We've extended the deadline to TUESDAY, AUGUST 15 at 6PM EST! That gives some of you procrastinators some time to get your finishing touches on your images. Submit your work!

Self Portrait Series, Gold and Fur by Aline Smithson

Self Portrait Series, Bates Motel by Aline Smithson

You've got 3 days left to submit!!

I have yet to master the art of taking self portraits since I'm the type to rather be behind the camera than in front of it. The same goes for Aline Smithson, another photographer I've chosen among the submissions. She takes her self portraits with a bit of humor and simplicity by showing the viewer a glimpse into different parts of her life- "a moment, a routine, a fear, or [her] fun." Here's a little something from her bio:

I moved to New York City to make my living as a painter, and although I continued to paint, my career moved into the fashion world. I worked for many years as the Fashion Editor for Vogue Patterns Magazine in New York City, and then continued on in Los Angeles as a freelance photo stylist. As a fashion editor, I had the privilege of working with many exceptional fashion photographers, including Horst, Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, Arthur Elgort, and Bert Stern. After standing next to the camera for many years, I have discovered that it is behind the camera that I find my joy and passion.

Ed by Aaron Hraba

Jonny by Aaron Hraba

Self portrait by Aaron Hraba

4 days left to submit!

This set of images is from Aaron Hraba. One of his major influences is Nan Goldin and it really shows in his style of shooting. Aaron's snapshot aesthetic works well in developing the "real-ness" of each character in the photographs. A little blurb from his artist statement:

The images I am submitting deals with issues of masculinity; the fronts men put up and what they keep hidden. Though not half as bad as it is imposed on women, social conditioning happens to men as well in our society.

He recently got his MFA from Syracuse University (representing!) and was also appointed Assistant Professor of Photography at Rhode Island College.

We got Amit Gupta of Photojojo to hop on board to be on our panel to select the Summer edition of Hey, Hot Shot! Amit is an entrepeneur with a long list of credits to his name. From his blog:

He is founder of The Daily Jolt, an online college community on 100 campuses. He also helped create a non-profit called ChangeThis with Seth Godin and brought the technology un-conference BarCamp to NYC. He's consulted for companies such as Pearson, Apple, and Creative Good.

He's co-author of The Big Moo, a WSJ best-seller, with Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell, Guy Kawasaki, Tom Peters, and others.

His latest project is Photojojo. If you like photography, you will like Photojojo.

I love Photojojo. Great DIY photography tips to make great craft projects, improve photographs, and just make neat things. We've blogged about it before too!

We will be having some more special guest panelists along with interviews with them coming soon so be on the lookout!

Keep those submissions coming!

Letter, November 11th 1967 by Johnny Miller

Envelope, November 13th 1967 by Johnny Miller

This couple of images by Johnny Miller document his parent's love letters during Vietnam War. This is the kind of thing that melts your heart but also reminding you of the sentimentality of snail mail. Here's a little blurb from his artist statement.

They dated for the next four months before my father left for his tour. They wrote many letters. In June of 1968, he invited my mom's family out to Califorina to meet his. After asking my grandfather if he could propose to his daughter, he drove down to the beach in his father's car and asked my mother to be his wife. She said "yes." Four months after the engagement, my dad was sent to start his tour. Hundreds more letters were sent. They planned to marry in June 1969. I was born in 1971, my sister followed in 1974.

We only have 6 more days until the deadline (Next Wednesday, the 9th!). This entry is from Travis Huggett. This is also a fresh entry from today! I enjoy really quiet yet beautiful photos. Here's a little something from Travis's artist statement.

Being a photographer allows me a chance to take a second look at things. It forces me to slow down and observe what's around me, both beautiful and plain. It allows me to be alone, or forces me to be with people. It takes me places I wouldn't otherwise go, and gives me something to share. It helps keep things interesting. I hope that when people look at my photographs, some of these qualities will show. The viewer might find beauty in the ordinary, in the subtle, stopping a moment so as take another look, and appreciate anew, maybe seeing something that they connect with, something that lingers after they've left, something they will want to return to.