Sigh. I’m not often forced “to take a stand.” I have values and rules to live by, but I rarely get tested or asked to choose something I loathe in order to further something I love. In addition, I believe an open mind requires consideration of many things and a closed mind cannot grow.

I love taking pictures and I am very happy with — even proud of — some photographs I have taken. For me, a great photo is an intersection of art, craft and luck. I have been lucky to be in the right place at the right time a few times.

A noble artist works for himself or herself alone — the world means little. I am not noble. I want my photographs to be seen and — heart on my sleeve — loved. I should withdraw in shame at this point, but I must confess this unseemliness for the larger effect.

Today, two photographers I admire sent me an invitation to a photography competition. I’m not afraid to compete. I have entered other contests, sticking my neck out to bow before judges. In this case, the prize is extraordinary: To be seen all over Albuquerque. Wow.

Long before blogs existed, I frequently wrote letters to various editors and a few were printed (though I’m no Don Schrader). Occasionally, I’d run into someone who’d say, “I saw your letter….” (Often, they couldn’t recall what it was about.) I even saw one of my letters on someone’s office door once. That needy child within me — please, look away! — bubbled with joy.

Imagine: To be seen by countless Albuquerqueans. What a prize!

The Face of Albuquerque
Call for Entries

ClearChannel will be introducing seven new digital billboards into the Albuquerque area market in mid-November. The billboards utilize LED technology and their messages rotate every 8 seconds. As part of a testing period scheduled to run through December 2, 2007, they have agreed to display an exhibit of local photographers’ work on those billboards; the show will be titled, “The Face of Albuquerque.” Marc Gutierrez and Lisa Tannenbaum are working with ClearChannel to select approximately 40 photos for the exhibit.

In the end, doing nothing is always easy. I can do nothing and save my self-respect for another day. There is no need to be in anyone’s face, either on a billboard or in protest of the same. No need to snap at my friends. Still, I must protest: Billboards are litter. Billboards are a stick in the eye. Billboards are vile distractions for a populace barely able to focus on a txtmsg or 10 second commercial. Clear Channel wishes to use our art as a lubricant for that stick. I’ll have no part of it. mjh

mjh’s blog — Puh-lease, god, no!
http://www.edgewiseblog.com/mjh/loco/albahquerque/puh-lease-god-no/