Arizona Photography Alliance’s Juried Theme Gallery online exhibition is a huge success. Part of the prize was the opportunity for the winning photographers to share their thoughts about the work they submitted in relation to the theme “Shadow and Light.” Here is Honorable Mention winner, Bart Welch.
AZPA: How did you get started in photography?
BW: Ever since I can remember, I’ve been creating art—when growing up, mostly sketching and capturing images with our family’s Instamatic camera. It wasn’t until college that I bought my first SLR camera, a Minolta XG1. I went on to become a graphic designer and left photography to the skilled commercial photographers that I worked with throughout my career. It wasn’t until I retired that I returned to photography.
Image Credit: SFMOMA © Bart Welch
AZPA: What are your thoughts on the theme gallery for AZPA?
BW: Until now, my images have only existed on Instagram, limited to 1080 pixels wide. Selecting images for this gallery pushed me to think differently about my work. Overall, stepping out of my comfort zone was beneficial, and I believe it will help my work evolve moving forward.
AZPA: What was your process in selecting your images for “Shadow and Light”?
BW: I selected this image because of its strong emphasis on the theme. The SFMOMA images wouldn’t exist without light and shadow, captured during a fleeting interplay of light and shadow from the atrium skylight.
AZPA: What are your thoughts on being selected for an Honorable Mention?
BW: I’m pleasantly surprised. I would have been happy just to be included among the other wonderful entries. I work in isolation so I guess it’s a form of validation from peers that I’m doing some good work.