The Durango branch of the Pine River Valley Bank will host the inaugural “Durango City Limits” photography exhibit starting Dec. 1. The show is being juried by Margy Dudley, of the Open Shutter Gallery, and features the work of 22 local amateur and professional photographers./Photo by Jennaye Derge

Images of Durango

Pine River Valley Bank photography competition debuts

by Stew Mosberg

March 2013, Pine River Valley Bank Marketing Coordinator Leslie McGownd inaugurated the institution’s increasingly successful Community Artist Program. Since that time, numerous local artists have been given a unique venue in which to showcase their work. On occasion, a few photographers were featured there that eventually lead McGownd to create “Durango City Limits,” a juried photography competition that will be exposed on Mon., Dec. 1.

The contest was open to all professional and amateur photographers over the ages of 18 who reside in the Four Corners region. However, the work of just 22 was accepted into the exhibit. Guidelines called for submitted photos to be taken within the Durango City limits (DCL) and reflect lifestyles, people, landscapes or locations in Durango.

McGownd explained that the genesis of the show began earlier this year when an artist scheduled for December’s exhibit had to cancel. She remarked that, at the time, she had already been thinking of doing a multi-artist show. “So the timing worked out and DCL came to life,” she said.

Just the Facts

What: “Durango City Limits,” local juried photography exhibit

Where: Pine River Valley Bank, 1701 Main Ave.

When: Opening reception 6-8 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 4; show runs Dec. 1 - Jan. 2

Always wanting to create an art event to celebrate the atmosphere of Durango, particularly during the Holiday season, McGownd sought a theme that allowed for a broad individual interpretation of our city. Uncertain as to what the call for entries would4  d yield, McGownd acknowledged that she tried not to have any expectations for this first year. However, she was ultimately thrilled with the participation. “I have to say that every one of the images that was submitted made me smile. I hope that the show is able to provide the same uplifting experience to everyone who sees it.”

The chosen photographs are classic Durango and run the gamut of what the town is best known for. There are several shots of the train steaming along the tracks, idling in the train yard and even one taken from inside the engineer’s cabin. There are photos showcasing the Animas Valley and also our celebratory parades. There are shots of horse-drawn wagons and raft and kayak activity as well as the town’s ubiquitous bicycle events. Snow, of course, plays its part, as does the infamous Snowdown Follies.

As for choosing an appropriate judge for the competition, there are few more suited to the task then Durango’s Margy Dudley. A photographer herself, Dudley is the owner of the Open Shutter Gallery, one of the best photography galleries not just locally, but in the nation. The gallery represents some of the finest, most revered photographers working in the medium today as well as those of historical significance.

Dudley returned from a tour of Southeast Asia only days before the judging took place, but she approached the collection with the same professionalism she demonstrates when putting together shows at the Open Shutter.

Describing how she judges photo exhibitions, Dudley admitted that it is never easy. “I think it’s extremely important to keep your own personal taste out of the process and be as objective as you can.”

Although she is always looking for good technical skills when viewing the image, she believes that the most important thing is composition. “It really doesn’t matter what the subject is,” she said, “as long as it has an interesting composition that draws the viewer in and makes them want to spend time with it.” She stated that she is most impressed when, a photographer can take an everyday object and see it in a different way using depth of field, lighting, spatial relationships.

Considering her expertise and familiarity working with world renowned photographers, it might seem unfair for Dudley to be judging lesser-known practitioners. But she insists she doesn’t modify her criteria when looking at professional versus amateurs or with different types of photography, whether it’s black and white, color, alternative process or photomontage. 

 “If you can achieve the viewer’s interest,” she says, “then it doesn’t matter what process you use, as long as it is photography based.” Because she knows so many regional photographers, the names of the entrants were kept hidden during the judging process. “As a juror you don’t know the names of the photographers,” she said, “so when you are judging, it’s done blind, so to speak. This makes it fair.”

When it comes to doling out the prize money, Dudley claims that awarding prizes is not all that different from picking an exhibit, as far as criteria goes. “However,” she said, “a show of 40 pieces becomes a complete story that creates a life of its own once it’s on the wall.” The Open Shutter owner went on to say when picking single images (submissions were limited to one per entrant), it’s more important that each image has the ability to stand alone and tell a story. “Those end up being the most powerful,” she says, “It doesn’t matter if it’s street photography, landscape, portrait, still life, abstract or any other genre.”

When pressed to define differences between images created by professionals versus the new or emerging photographer, Dudley said, it always surprises her how well the amateur photographers stack up against the pros. “Even if an amateur only has a few knock-out pieces, it’s possible that the professional submits something that’s not particularly new and fresh,” she said. “The amateurs in this community have always matched up really well. Sometimes an eye that’s not trained may see something completely differently. This is always exciting to me.”

Considering the availability of photographic devices to almost anyone with a smartphone, there is no longer a need for high-end, expensive equipment or cameras that are bulky and less portable. Yet, fundamental principles of what makes a good photograph – or almost any work of art for that matter – comes down to the same attributes: composition, technique and subject, combined with vision and unique interpretation.

To that end, Dudley says, “Some amateur photographers just have the skill to see things in a different and interesting way naturally; others can develop it.”