The AMERICANA Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Center for Photography has grown into one of the Northeast’s premier photographic shows. It consists of both a traditional print exhibition as well as a digital exhibition for photographers who are too far away to deliver physical prints or who otherwise do not wish to print their images. The digital exhibition is shown on a 65″ 4K screen and is very popular with photographers and the audience alike. Historically, the show has drawn entries from 20+ states and a variety of foreign countries. In addition, the AMERICANA Exhibition features our unique Camera Club Challenge, which, despite stiff competition, has been won by the Princeton Photography Club for two years in a row.
There are only two absolute rules for the AMERICANA 2018 Exhibition. The first is that the photograph must have been taken in the United States and the second is that it has to be good.
The purpose of such open criteria is the recognition that the term “Americana” can mean many different things to different people and we want to be as inclusive as possible. Merriam-Webster defines “Americana” as “materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture; broadly : things typical of America.” One’s view of what is “typical of America” may vary greatly dependent on his/her age and where he/she grew up. To some older folks, Americana may mean Norman Rockwell style country churches in quaint Vermont villages, but if you are 25 and grew up in an urban environment, your view of America is probably considerably different.
With such wide potential, it is only fair that we give you some hints of what we are going ask the judge to look for…
Images that show America in context. While a beautiful studio picture of a rose on black may fit the base criteria (shot in the USA and a high quality image), it will probably lose out to a shot of equal quality of the wildflowers at Mount Rainier. Likewise, a close-up of graffiti may fall short in comparison to a shot that shows the context of the urban art.
Images that tell a story or invoke a strong feeling will have a big leg up. We are looking for powerful images that will make people stop and think. Please don’t think that means “dark” or “negative”. A photograph of a fireman rescuing a cat is just as much Americana as an image depicting homelessness or a political protest.
Images which are thoughtfully different and unique. Although AMERICANA is a big show, it is also an elite show and less than 20% of the photographs entered will get in. This means yours have to stand out from the crowd, so get creative. Express yourself to the fullest and let your vision of America really shine through.
Read more at https://www.pacenterforphotography.org/americana-2018-2/