May 4-5 & 11-12 from 10-5.

Stop #4, 2 miles from the north end ferry - makes a great first stop!

https://vivartists.com/viva/events/spring-tour-2024/

Step into a world of analog photography with Michelle Bates’ photos from over 30 years of making images with film and prints in the darkroom.

Michelle’s main artistic muse is a low-tech plastic camera called a Holga. Her images made with them on 120 black & white and color film include carnivals, festivals & parades, travel, nature, cityscapes, and portraits. Her images with “real” film cameras include Burning Man, and the series “After the Fire” made in a historic Vashon home.

Stop by to peruse decades worth of images, check out a Holga, talk photography, and page through Michelle’s book, “Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity.” Michelle is a sought-after speaker and workshop instructor and loves to share information. Framed and unframed prints, vintage prints, and art cards are available.

Class Description:

Quality documentation is essential to creating a strong portfolio to be used in submissions, on your website and social media, and for archival purposes. In this workshop, photographer Michelle Bates will lead you step-by-step through the process of creating high-quality documentation of your work. You’ll learn about cameras, settings, lenses, lighting, backgrounds, editing digital files, and other technical and aesthetic aspects of capturing the ideal image. Example images will be presented and discussed, along with a live shooting set-up.

Students may email photos they’ve taken to demonstrate issues they’re having in capturing their work. Email: michelle@michellebates.net

They may bring a piece of artwork to possibly be used as an example in the shooting setup.

Date and time:

Sunday, January 21st, 1-5 pm

Held at Land Trust Building.

Class fees: $80

Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Class size: 20 (requires minimum of 5 people to run)

About the Instructor:

Michelle Bates has been a photographer since 1991, creating fine art photography and teaching, documenting theater and events, doing studio photography, and photographing artwork for artists. Bates is the author of "Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity" about low-tech cameras and has given talks and workshops all over the country and exhibited her work internationally. She was Visual Arts Coordinator of the Blue Heron Gallery and has taught this class several times on Vashon for VIVA and VCA and around western WA.

* Registration deadline is Thursday, January 18, 2024

* Must be paid to be fully registered

This workshop, created for Artist Trust and given for Gage Academy, The Art Institute of Seattle, Vashon Allied Arts, and other...(more)

December 2-3 & 8-9, 10-4.

Studio tour map and artist info

Michelle Bates presents photographic prints from her decades of exhibitions. Her darkroom prints of images made with an analog plastic Holga camera cover a wide range of subjects, from quirky carnival rides to moody nature scenes in black and white, and festivals like the Fremont Summer Solstice Parade in color. Also presented are photos (with other types of cameras) from Burning Man, the “After the Fire” series made on Vashon Island, images of beloved local performers, and other unique pieces from her archive, not available elsewhere.

Peruse the many sides of Michelle’s photography, take home a copy of her book, “Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity” or a postcard, or just stop by to chat about photography.

Sunshady Days Photo Center NW in Seattle

Opening Nov 9, 6-8pm, up through December 7. Previously shown durning Bumbershoot at A/NT Gallery at Seattle Center, and for two weeks after, September 2023.

August 11-27, 2023

Vashon Center for the Arts Summer Arts Fest

www.swiftwatergallery.com

F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast with Michelle Bates

The video is available to watch anytime here

. Photography Conversations

Artist Reception: Friday, March 6th, 6-9pm (Fremont First Friday Art Walk)
Down Under Gallery, 465 N 36th St, #C (down-the-stairs, or off-the-alley), Seattle, WA, 98103

Feb 6-Mar 31

Gallery open by appointment through March 5th, then:

Tues: 10am-3pm
Wed-Sun: 1pm-6pm

Opening Friday, January 3rd 6-9pm (times to be confirmed)
Quicksilver Photo
1417A Cornwall St
Bellingham WA
quicksilverphotolab.com

Local Fremont community instigators Kirby Lindsay and Adrian Laney host the Down Under Gallery in the heart of Fremont, and are presenting these photos during (and after) this year's Moisture Festival, which runs through April 7th.

15 Years of Moisture Festival Photography
Down Under Gallery, 465 N 36th St, down the stairs, Seattle, WA
March 15-April 30, 2019
A salon of my Moisture Festival images stays up during other exhibitions, so please stop by to see them and ask to see the main images.
Artist Reception: Saturday, March 30th, 4-7pm

Vashon Island March 25th-26th
Monday, March 25th, 1-5pm, at the Land Trust Building:
Introductory workshop for artists with all levels of photography experience. More info and registration link here: http://vivartists.com/viva/event/photographing-your-artwork-session-two-with-michelle-bates

Tuesday March 26th from 10-12 @ Open Space Bruce Black Box is your chance to try it yourself with your own camera! Bring artwork, your camera and your manual if you have it.
http://vivartists.com/viva/event/open-studio-to-photograph-your-artwork-with-michelle-bates. For this session, contact me directly.

Jansen Art Center, Lynden, WA, Saturday, April 6, 1-5pm
Please join me at the Jansen Art Center in Lynden, WA, north of Bellingham (on the way to Vancouver!) for the full intro workshop for artists with all levels of photo experience. www.jansenartcenter.org

See the winning photographs here: Krappy Kamera webpage
March 5th through March 30th, 2019
poster from 2008, when I won first prize

Saturday, October 6, 2018, 1-4pm

Allied Arts Space 1418 Cornwall Avenue Bellingham, WA, 98225

www.altphotopacifica.org

Documenting Your Artwork

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP:
Quality documentation is essential to creating a strong portfolio to be used in submissions, on your website and social media, and for archival purposes. In this workshop, photographer Michelle Bates will lead you step-by-step through the process of creating high-quality documentation of your work. You’ll learn about camera settings, lenses, lighting, backgrounds, editing digital files, and other technical and aesthetic aspects to capture the ideal image.

*This workshop is open to artists of all career stages who’d like to learn about documenting their own work.

TOPICS COVERED:
– Terminology
– Camera types and settings
– Lenses
– Lighting & backgrounds
– Photo-editing software
– Editing digital files

TAKEAWAYS:
– Knowledge of how to document your work and how to work with professional photographers
– What buyers, curators, gallerists, juries, & selection committees look for in your documentation

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Michelle Bates has been a photographer since 1991, doing fine art photography and teaching, documenting theater and events, doing studio promotional and portrait photography, and photographing artwork for artists. Bates is the author of “Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity” about low-tech cameras, and has given talks and workshops all over the country and exhibited her work internationally.

VIVA Website

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP:
June 9th, 2018 at the Art Institute of Seattle (2323 Elliott Ave Seattle, WA 98121), 10am-3pm
Quality documentation is essential to creating a strong portfolio to be used in submissions, on your website and social media, and for archival purposes. In this workshop, photographer Michelle Bates will lead you step-by-step through the process of creating high-quality documentation of your work. You’ll learn about camera settings, lenses, lighting, backgrounds, editing digital files, and other technical and aesthetic aspects to capture the ideal image.

*This workshop is open to artists of all career stages who’d like to learn about documenting their own work.

Partial need-based, Filipinx, and Latinx scholarships are available by request. Email Zach Frimmel for any questions regarding scholarships, member codes, or accessibility.

TOPICS COVERED:
- Terminology
- Camera types and settings
- Lenses
- Lighting & backgrounds
- Photo-editing software
- Editing digital files

TAKEAWAYS:
- Knowledge of how to document your work and how to work with professional photographers
- What buyers, curators, gallerists, juries, & selection committees look for in your documentation

Event Fee: $75 / $60 AT Members

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Michelle Bates has been a photographer since 1991, doing fine art photography and teaching, documenting theater and events, doing studio promotional and portrait photography, and photographing artwork for artists. Bates is the author of “Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity” about low-tech cameras, and has given talks and workshops all over the country and exhibited her work internationally.

ABOUT THE VENUE:
The venue for this event is wheelchair accessible and can be accessed by Metro transit. The venue...(more)

Saturday, December 2, 2017
12-6pm
Inscape, 815 Seattle Blvd S (behind the football stadium)
Studio 324 - Jennifer Loomis

http://inscapearts.org

The show will feature a selection of photographs of performers from my series “20 Years of NW Performance Photography,", all from Vashon Island, including UMO, Mik Kuhlman, Kevin Joyce, Kevin Kent, Lelavision, and Gravity of Kindness (including 2017, from July 30th).

I’ll also be showing some of my fine art Holga (plastic camera) photographs.

Come, enjoy the photos and music by Jason Everett. Or stop by Spoke during the month to see the photos if you can’t make the opening.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/167786357099954

The images are presented in West of Lenin's gallery space in conjunction with the show "House #30" by Mik Kuhlman, telling the story of the fire in her home and the subsequent effects on her life.

House #30 will be performed June 26-29, 2015 (PWYC preview June 25th). The exhibition will open June 20th, with a reception on Sunday, June 28th, beginning after the matinee, around 5:15-7:00.

See the winners at http://tccphoto.com/gallery/ and the exhibition at http://tccphoto.com/gallery/currentexhibit.html

Deadline July 10th, 2015

Friday, Nov 7th, 6:30-8:30
Tour the World of Toy Camera Photography

Saturday, Nov 8th, 10-4
Sunday, Nov 9th, 12-4
Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity Overwhelmed by complicated, expensive cameras? Reconnect with the simple joys of photography with renowned photographer Michelle Bates as she guides you into the wonderful world of the Holga camera. We’ll explore image-making with a twist, using this immensely popular medium-format film camera. The class will include a slide show of a wide range of toy camera photography, the chance to play with a variety of cameras, and complete how-to information from the basics to advanced techniques and camera modification. The class will shoot film on Saturday and review results on Sunday, discussing success, challenges and more possibilities for printing and presentation. Holga 120N camera, one roll of film and overnight processing with contact sheet are included the cost of the workshop.
$285 members $335 non-members

To register please call 978-369-2578 or email education@concordart.org or online at www.concordart.org

Website for more info and panelist bios

Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 6 - 8 p.m.

New York Public Library: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, South Court Auditorium (Main branch on 5th Ave & 42nd St)
FREE - Auditorium doors open at 5:30 p.m. First come, first served.

Exploring the role of toy and novelty cameras in contemporary photography, this panel uses them as a point of entry into a broader discussion of analog photography as it exists today in the digital landscape. Featuring panelists, Christopher Salyers, Buzz Poole, Michelle Bates, Christopher Bonanos, Paul Kwiatkowski, Christian Polt, and J. K. Putnam who have deep knowledge of these types of cameras – from Lomography to Polaroid – and the photographers who use them. The discussion ranges from the marketing of photography to fine art and collector culture. The panel is moderated by Arezoo Moseni. flash cubes.SNOOPY-MATIC, manufactured in Hong Kong for Helm Toy Corp. Year: 1980. Film: 126. Flash: flash cubes.

Showcasing the most unusual and unique examples of functioning toy cameras—retro analogs, branded novelties, new products from Japan—and the photographs they create, the new book Camera Crazy explores the history and full range of this incredibly popular, and often quirky, photography niche. The book is more than a collection of plastic cameras. It’s the world as seen through a child’s eyes: a world of bright color, unexpected results, and exciting possibilities.

All attendees receive a free raffle ticket, as they enter the Auditorium, for a chance to win a camera from the selection of toy cameras from the authors' c...(more)

Holga Week is Coming!

Celebrate the beloved Holga camera during "Holga Week"! Shoot as much as you can during the week of July 21-27, and challenge yourself to create some great work with your Holga products. This will be a week of shooting Holga photos, and sharing them with all of the other Holga lovers out there!*

A website is being developed where you will be able to enter a select few of your favorite photos taken during this week and be eligible to win prizes generously donated by Holga Inspire (the creators of the Holga).

There will be three great prizes up for grabs. If your photo catches the eye of one of our three judges, you will win! Simple as that.

Judges:

Holga Jen (Me!)
Holga Inspire
Michelle Bates - Needs no introduction to most of you I'm sure! Michelle is the author of "Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity"

A Flickr group will also be set up where you can share more! I will post this information closer to the date, as well as the details on the prizes.

Are you excited???

* This week is for Holga photos taken using Holga products only. Digital is fine as long as you used a Holga product such as a Holga lens mount, or Holga smart phone lens/filter. No fake Holgas, Photoshop or any other digital manipulation will be permitted.

See articles about the festival in the Somerville Times and Boston Globe.

The Ins and Outs of Holgas and Toy Cameras
WORKSHOP | Saturday | June 7, noon-2:00
Join Holga Queen Michelle Bates for a two-hour workshop all about toy cameras. For those who already know the basics of the Holga, Michelle will give you an advanced tour of its operation, plus hacks and modifications you can use to expand your range. Michelle will also bring some of her collection of toy cameras to show and talk about Girl by Michelle Bates the history of the genre and what's out there now. Feel free to bring images and questions in this special opportunity for toy camera lovers!

Cost: $50, but $40 for students (with ID) and for STCF artists. Registration details will be posted on the website soon.

Michelle Bates on Toy Cameras
AUTHOR TALK AND BOOK SIGNING | Sunday | June 8, 2:00-3:00
Michelle Bates, author of "Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity", will bring her extensive library of toy camera images, from the earliest days to the present, and her deep knowledge of the genre, to the Somerville Toy Camera Festival. See photographs made with Dianas, Holgas and other toys, with insight into the photographers' techniques and subjects, by some of the pioneers of plasti...(more)

On Monday, May 12th, 2014, Michelle presented a slideshow and talk showing rare images and telling stories of discovering the worlds of theater, circus and community arts in the NW, with some geeky photography techniques thrown in. 7:00 in the theater.

The exhibition showed March-July, 2014, viewable before and during performances at West of Lenin, by appointment, or by ringing the doorbell (usually during office hours).

Article about Michelle, the exhibition, and stories about some of the photos and the artists pictured, on Crosscut.com by Florangela Davila.

More info about Michelle & the talk Martha Enson, UMO Ensemble, Kevin Joyce, Kevin Kent

See photos here!

Glazer's Toy Camera Contest - Deadline Sep 20th
This year has the themes of Color and Black & White. Submit prints that will hang at Glazer's, and have a chance to win lots of cool stuff from Seattle's best photo store! I'll be at the opening reception, talking cameras and signing my books - October 10th, 6-8pm at the Lighting Store.

LightBox Photographic Gallery's MobileMagic - Deadline Sep 30th
I juried this competition featuring cell phone photos. This one has an entry fee, but unlike most others, you get something for your money. Every entrant receives a high quality fine-art digital print of their image in the mail, and the 25 selected go on display in the beautiful gallery in Astoria, Oregon. Opening reception Oct 12th.

Overwhelmed by complicated, expensive cameras? Want to reconnect with the simple joys of photography? Join Michelle Bates as she guides you into the wonderful world of the Holga camera. With this basic and immensely popular medium-format film camera, we’ll explore image-making with a twist. Through slide shows, demos, and hands-on shooting time students will get a comprehensive look at the “Plastic Fantastic” in action. Complete how-to information about shooting with Holgas, from the basics to advanced techniques, as well as camera modifications will be covered. By shooting film on Saturday and reviewing results on Sunday, we will explore the challenges and successes of the Holga, along with possibilities for printing and presentation. This workshop is open to all levels of photographer.

Michelle Bates has been using Holga cameras since 1991, and is internationally known for her images and teaching about plastic cameras. Her book, Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity is the ultimate guide to the genre. She is a member of Freestyle Photographic Supplies' Advisory Board of Photographic Professionals and a popular speaker at photography centers and events. www.michellebates.net

Please bring: A Holga camera. If you do not have one, they will be available for purchase the day of class.
Class limit: 10
Tuition: $340 / CPW members: $310
Lab Fee: $25

CPW website

[View entire issue online]

For the 2012 TEDxRainier event, Michelle once again spoke, along with founder Paul Magid, as part of the New Old Time Chautauqua's performance, featuring the Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band/Orchestra, live performances, images from the group's 30+-year history, and more.

Lomographic Society's online magazine featured an interview with me and a nice selection of photos in June, 2012.

Fotoritim, a Turkish online magazine features my work and an interview.

I'm included in the 3rd Anniversary issue of Fraction Magazine

See my feature article, with excerpts of "Plastic Cameras" in American Photo magazine's March/April 2011 issue, with 10 photographs from the book!"

The Society for Photographic Education's national journal, "exposure" includes a wonderful article about me in the Spring 2011 issue. "Taming the Badly Behaved Camera: Michelle Bates and the Holga" covers my career and includes 7 of my images.

Holgablog.com honored me as Photographer of the Month in March 2011 with a nice long interview and a collection of photos.

Holga 30th Anniversary Exhibition opening: Friday, September 7th, 6-9

http://capworkshops.org/

Timeless: Michelle Bates, Susan Bowen, Michael Kenna, Harvey Stein, Thomas Michael Alleman.

Transcend

Project Basho, Philadelphia: Nov 3-4, 2012

Past:

Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina - Aug 26-Sep 1, 2012
1/2 off deal available for K-12 and university educators, two weeks before the workshop begins is space is available.

Center for Alternative Photography, New York, NY: Public lecture, Thursday, September 6th, workshop, Sep 8-9

Melbourne, Sydney, and other cities in Australia: probably Feb 2013

More info coming soon for all events.

The previous stops:
Photobooth in San Francisco, from August 30-Sep 27th, 2012.

The exhibition, sponsored by Holga Ltd, the makers of the Holga, includes photos by me, David Burnett, Teru Kuwayama, Pauline St Denis, Susan Bowen, Annu Matthew, Tammy Cromer Campbell, Rebecca Tolk, Harvey Stein, and Taiju Fubuki. The Photobooth show also features guest photographer Christine Zona

Holga Inspire runs at Open Shutter Gallery in Durango, CO from Friday, July 6th through August 6th.

The Holga Inspire exhibition, opens on Thursday, March 8th, 6-8pm in conjunction with the Krappy Kamera show at Soho Photo in NY.

The exhibition, sponsored by Holga Ltd, the makers of the Holga, includes photos by me, David Burnett, Teru Kuwayama, Pauline St Denis, Susan Bowen, Annu Matthew, Tammy Cromer Campbell, Rebecca Tolk, Harvey Stein, and Taiju Fubuki.

I have some new images up that weren't part of my solo exhibition at that space this time last year.

The show is up March 7-31, 2012.
Soho Photo 15 White St, New York
www.sohophoto.com

For the holidays, Fraction has created a print sale with low-priced prints from many of us. My image, "Raritan Canal" is offered for $100 as an 8" fiber-based silver gelatin print.

There are just a few weeks to the sale, so take a look now.

Nov 5 & 6th is the Society for Photographic Education's NW Regional conference in Spokane, WA. I'll be speaking on ?Toy Cameras in a High-Tech World? on Saturday at 10:30am.

November 10th is the closing party for Glazer's Camera's annual Holga competition. I'll be there signing books and hanging out - it's 6-8pm.

November 12th is TEDxRainier, Seattle's largest TEDx event, at Kane Hall at the University of Washington. I am part of a pretty incredible lineup of speakers on a wide range of topics, and will be talking about low-tech cameras and creativity.

More details on my events page.

Recently past:

San Francisco: Rayko Photo - April 23-24, 2011
Tucson: Photographic Works, in conjunction with the Curious Camera show - April 30-May 1, 2011
Seattle: Photographic Center Northwest - Jun 4-5, 2011

Book signing: Saturday, April 23rd, 5:30-6:30pm

Recent exhibitions:

"20 Years of Toying with Creativity" at Soho Photo Gallery, NYC
March 1st-April 2, opening March 1st, 6-8pm
Gallery talk Sunday, March 6th, 6pm
For the first time, Soho Photo Gallery is featuring one artist to have a solo exhibition in conjunction with the Krappy Kamera Competition - the oldest and largest of the toy camera shows. I will have the entire upstairs gallery (formerly home of the Salon des Refuses) and will feature about 30 photographs from throughout the last 20 years, with unseen images, old favorites, stories about the images and my journey with Holga. Please join me at the opening on Tuesday, March 1st, 6-8pm, and I'll be giving a gallery talk & book signing on Sunday, March 6th, at 6:00. March 1-April 2, 2011. 15 White St, New York, NY

Holga Inspire at The Icon, Los Angeles
Imagery by the 10 Holga Inspire photographers (a group created by Holga Ltd, the makers of the Holga camera) will be showing in Los Angeles from March 5-31. Opening March 5th, 6-9 (won't be there either). | www.holgainspire.com - 5450 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles

More info

Download PDF of article here.

Enjoy a long interview covering my history with the Holga, and a selection of classic and unseen images.

August 23-September 23, 2010
University of Portland Buckley Center Gallery

Closing Reception: Thursday, Sep 23rd, 5-7pm

Gallery open M-F, 8:30 am-8:00 pm, Sat 8:30-4.

29 images in two full series:
-Color & B&W photos from Thailand & Nepal
-Urban Oases, from cities around the US

"Low Tech/High Art"
The Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs, CO
October 28-Dec 31, 2011

"Holga Inspire"
The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO
Sep 30, 2011-Jan 14, 2012

Recently past:

"Toyed With" at Open Shutter Gallery in Durango, CO.
I'm the juror for this one!
Show dates: August 27-October 1, 2011.

800ISO Blog Interview

Photo Media Magazine, the Northwest's photo magazine, has a feature portfolio of my work; 6 images and a lovely article on a two-page spread. I've loved this publication since I've been in Seattle, and it's very exciting to be featured in its pages!

Moisture Festival - Seattle's vaudeville/variete/comedy/burlesque festival has spread all over Seattle, with performances in 5 venues, and now its ads are on buses around town, AND *4* billboards as well! They feature 2 of my photographs, and images by the other two official photographers (John Cornicello & Mark Gardiner).

In other BIG news, in December, The New Victory Theater in New York featured my photographs of the Flaming Idiots on a 15 feet high(!) banner that stretched 60 feet down 42nd St in Times Square. Read more about it in my blog and see more images.

42nd St, near 8th Avenue, New York

Moisture Festival Billboard, Seattle: center and left images (Trixie Little & Evie Hate Monkey, Godfrey Daniels with Simon Neale) are mine

Click on the spread to read the article on Photo Media's website

In fall 2009, the three Moisture Festival photographers (myself, John Cornicello & Mark Gardiner) pulled together an awesome selection of photographs into the Moisture Festival book: Comedy/Variete at the Moisture Festival, Seattle, 2005-2009.

You can preview it online and purchase copies at Moisture Festival shows.

Krappy Kamera Competition at Soho Photo in New York
March 5-April 3, 2010. The biggest and baddest of the toy camera shows, this one is a blast to be part of! Opens Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010. I'll be there for the opening!

Rayko Photo International Juried Plastic Camera Show Another of the great low-tech shows, at another of my favorite photo centers, this one in San Francisco. Feb 26-April 17, opening Friday, Feb 26th, 6-8 pm.

Holga Inspire moves from TC Photo Gallery in Longview Texas, to Umbrella Arts in New York, opening December 9th, through January 16th.

Portland:
Toying with Creativity: Plastic Cameras at Newspace Photo
Sat & Sun, January 23 & 24, 10-5

SPE National Conference in Philadelphia
Toying with Creativity: The joys & Frustrations of Plastic Cameras
Industry Seminar, Thursday March 4th, 10:30-11:45, sponsored by Freestyle Photographic Supply
conference website

Moisture Festival in Photos
Opened Wednesday, November 25th, at Hale's Brewery in Seattle is an exhibition of the best of Moisture Festival photographs from the three official photographers: myself, John Cornicello and Mark Gardiner, from 2005-2009. This was also the debut of the book of images from all these years. Preview the book here | Moisture Festival website

Holga Inspire moves from TC Photo Gallery in Longview Texas, to Umbrella Arts in New York, opening December 9th, through January 16th.

Benham Gallery, Seattle
My show is now down at Benham, but I have a few images from this show, and many other images as part of their closing sale - 20% off matted and framed prints. Call the gallery for hours this week, and come by for the gallery-closing party on Sunday, Dec 20th, 4-8 pm.

My new series of images from Israel is up at Benham Gallery in Seattle through December 12th. This is part of Benham's last exhibition before it closes its doors and morphs into Benham Fine Art.

www.michellebates.net

"This month's Reader's Homepage belongs to Michelle Bates, the fairy godmother of the Holga who wrote the definitive book on the subject, Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity. If you don't already have a copy of this marvelous book, the first thing you should do when arriving at the site should be to click on its link and buy a copy. Clicking on the large Holga photograph on the splash page takes you to a gallery that contains collections of both Holga and "Other Series" images made with "real" cameras. The "Quirky Holga" collection is filled with the kind of offbeat images that almost define the way most people see the Holga - as a fun house camera - but her monochrome images (don't miss "Fried Doughboys") amp up the fun so much it will make you smile and run out and buy a Holga today.

The "Graphics" collection shows the other side of Holga, the fine art side, with images that are subtle ("Monument, Thailand") and complex (Javitz Center roof") and demonstrate that it's not the tool but the artist who makes the image. In "Urban Oases" Bates takes that concept a bit further with mellifluous photographs that blend nature and nurture to create images that are abstract and realistic at the same time. I loved all the photographs in "Nature Holga," especially "Beach Grass, NJ" that has a definite Solaris (Russian version) feel to it while others have the wistful feel of old glass-plate photographs. The funky and clever site design is by skyhand design (www.skyhand.com)."

www.michellebates.net/pc-call.html

Krappy Kamera XII - deadline December 30th.

Rayko Photo's 3rd Annual Plastic Camera Show, deadline January 5th.

Passed - check out the winners online for most of these:

Holgapalooza, by toycamera.com, deadline September 25th. I'm one of the jurors for this one! http://www.holgapalooza.com/

Glazer's Camera Holga Contest in Seattle, deadline August 25th

Holgamods.com has a Holga contest titled "Rust", deadline September 1st.

Photomedia Center Holga Show 3.0 - deadline November 7th

-Talk, panel & workshop at the f295 Symposium in Pittsburgh, May 28-31, 2009

-Two-week workshop at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, August 9-21, 2009

More info on all of these on my events page.

I'm always working on planning other talks, classes and trips, and I'm open to suggestions and invitations!

-Bangkok, Thailand
Holga Limited, the company that makes the Holga, will be hosting an exhibition at Photo Imaging Expo 2009 at Siam Paragon Department Store in Bangkok from April 1 to April 5, 2009. Check out Holga's new website: Holga Inspire.

-Penland, NC:
"Range of Possibilities," Penland School of Crafts Faculty Exhibition, Penland Gallery, Faculty Exhibition for Summer 2009 teachers, March 17-May 10, opening March 20th.

-Berlin, Germany:
Holga Exhibition at Atelier Freier Fotographen, April, 2009, www.aff-berlin.com

-Tucson, AZ:
Curious Cameras at ArtsEye Gallery, April 24-July 19, 2009. Opening reception April 25, 6-9 pm.

The site features the work of several photographers, resources, news, and will fill out more soon with info about the various cameras and more.

Holga Limited is gearing up to do more outreach with photographers, photo organizations, schools and exhibitions, so keep your eyes on the site! This month, they're a sponsor of the Krappy Kamera Competition at Soho Photo in New York. See my blog for stories about meeting Holga Limited's photographer outreach goddess, Christine So.

10-12 am: Free talk
1-5 pm: Workshop

On January 21st, I'll be giving a free talk on the plastic cameras scene, with lots of images from fantastic photographers and info on making your own.
Reserve a space for the talk here: B&H Event Space info.
Register for the workshop here:Workshop registration.

The full blurb:
Toy cameras fall into the category of simple, inexpensive film based cameras made almost entirely out of plastic, even including the optics! However, don't be mislead by the low-tech "cheap" approach to this kind of photo gear; they are capable of taking amazing and unique images in an almost accidental fashion.

The Event Space is pleased to have photographer Michelle Bates, who is author of the book "Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity", share her expertise on "Toy Camera" creativity. Michelle will delve into this esoteric style by showing work of photographers shooting with Holgas, Dianas, and other toy cameras, with lots of images for inspiration! If you're interested in the world of plastic cameras, this will be a great introduction. See the latest in new Holga models and accessories as well as Michelle's vision and work. After the lecture, Michelle will be signing copies of her book which will be available.

Like all of the Event Space programs, Michelle's morning session is being offered free of charge. However, for those of you wishing to get deeper into the art of toy camera image making, Michelle will be leading a more in depth workshop in the afternoon. This portion of the workshop requires a fee to attend and more information can be found by visiting Michelle's website at www.michellebates.net

The workshop is $75, and includes free Fuji 120 Film (thanks Fuji!) and Fuji Instant Film for use during the workshop, and a 20% discount on "Plastic Cameras: T...(more)

F295 is pleased to announce that the Camera Club of New York will be hosting an exhibition entitled F295: 21st Century Photography from January 16 ? 20? 2009. Opening reception: January 17th, 7-9pm.

This show coincides with the F295 Seminar at B&H Photo on January 18 and features work from a selection of artists who have been involved with the various F295 events over the past 2 1/2 years.

Presently confirmed artists include:
Jo Babcock
Craig Barber
Michelle Bates
Gabriel Biderman
Laura Blacklow
David George Brommer
Martha Casanave
Jill Enfield
Dan Estabrook
Jesseca Ferguson
Alida Fish
Joy Goldkind
Robert Hirsch
Kerik Kouklis
Scott McMahon
France Scully Osterman
Mark Osterman
Tom Persinger
Jerry Spagnoli
Keith Taylor

www.f295.org
www.cameraclubny.org

First, two series of work at Office Nomads, a coworking space on Capitol Hill. The "After the Fire" series is up for the first time in a few years; these are intense and beautiful images of a Vashon home after it burned in 2000. I also have up some Holga nature images. The space is open M-F, 8:30-6; check it out.

At the Convention Center, I have an image in their "Only in Washington" show, which will be up through May.

In addition, I have an image in the show: "From the Playa to City Parks?BRAF Paves the Way" at the McKinley Art Gallery in Reno, from October 23-December 11, 2008.

Hope you can check them out!

On January 18th, 2009, several of the symposium presenters will be holding a panel discussion at B&H Photo in New York City. I'll be there!

This looks like a great event; I tried to fit it into my schedule this year, but just couldn't make it. The presentations are all on one day, and only one at a time, so everyone gets to see them all, then there are two days of workshops. Also portfolio walk, keynote speakers, gallery openings, panel discussions, shmoozing, etc. Can't wait!

If you missed it, it's available here: Listen to the interview
or online: Sound Focus.
To skip to my bit, it's at minute 43:30.

Their blurb:
At 2:50 p.m. ? The Art of the Holga
A professional digital camera can cost you over five thousand dollars. A plastic toy camera called a Holga will run you about twenty five bucks. At that price, you may not expect the Holga to do much. But local photographer Michelle Bates has staked a good part of her career on this mass market Chinese gadget. She writes about the Holga and shares some of her Holga photos in her book, Plastic Cameras, Toying with Creativity.

*This was rebroadcast on August 4th, 2008 as well.

The exhibition is centered around a time-lapse series of images of the building of Black Rock City, better known as the Burning Man festival, in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.

In addition to the video are large format prints (up to 40" x 60") by 9 photographers made at Burning Man over several years. We were all part of a residency program to make and mount the prints in Berkeley earlier this year.

The show is up until August 3rd (with somewhat limited hours, generally Sat-Sun 1-5:30 - check the website) in a spectacular setting - worth the trip from San Francisco! I'll be there for the opening.

www.reichek.org

The Brooklyn Rail: Seeking Imperfection

The Independent in London: The cult of Holga: The sixties' camera makes a comeback

And, see a video of me talking about toy cameras, made at the SPE conference in Denver by Calumet Photographic.

"Unrefined Light: Image Making with Plastic Cameras and Their Friends" at the Foundry Arts Center in St Charles, MO.
**I'm the juror for this one!**
Exhibition: March 28-May 9, 2008.
Opening: March 28th, 6-8pm
Information & entry form

New Orleans Photo Alliance
Juror: Susan Burnstine
Dates: Feb 16th-April 1, 2008
Workshop: I'll be teaching there May 17 & 18 (after the exhibition, unfortunately).
See the show online

"Krappy Kamera X" at Soho Photo in New York.
Juror: Jill Enfield
Dates: March 4-29, 2008
Opening: Tuesday, March 4th, 6-8pm
Talk: I'm speaking on Thursday, March 6th, 7pm
See the show online

"National Juried Plastic Camera Exhibition" at Rayko Photo in San Francisco.
Dates: Jan 8th - Feb 9th, 2008
Opening: Tuesday, Jan 8th, 6-8pm (I was there for the opening, and am teaching a workshop there Feb 9th & 12th)

"Holga Show 2.0" at Photomedia Center. Up now!

The main museum and the space where this show is are fabulous! There are 9 full bodies of work in a space that seems both roomy and intimate. See some images here. More to come!

The opening to the exhibition was snowed out in a rare NW snowstorm. We're having a panel discussion with reception on March 1st, 2008.

And, I'm teaching a workshop through the museum on Satruday, April 26th.

This was a great event! Read all about it in my blog.