Competition Aims to Spotlight Amateur Photographers

Lesa Ferencz, owner of Farmington-based Lesa Photography, was just kicking around some ideas with her photography students a few weeks ago.

"We talked about photography and community, and how there aren't a lot of venues for photographers to show their work," she said. "We talked about the morale of the Detroit area."

As she mulled over the conversation, Ferencz hit up an idea: Why not hold a competition?

"I thought, what a wonderful way to celebrate our local photographers, but also to celebrate community through that art," she said.

The "Roots in Detroit Photography Contest & Exhibition" is open to any photographer age 18 or older. All photos must have been taken in metro Detroit within the past three years and must "really reflect our community. I believe the theme is broad enough that they can interpret it in their own way," said Ferencz, whose office is located in the historic Powerhouse/Winery building at Orchard Lake and Grand River.

To promote the event, Ferencz has set up a Facebook page, where people can download entry forms and receive up-to-date information. The contest deadline is March 19, but already the entries are pouring in, she said.

The very first entry "blew my socks off," Ferencz said. "If this is an indication of the talent we have, this is going to be tremendous."

The winner and seven runners-up will have their work shown in a exhibition in August, probably at the Powerhouse/Winery building, she said. The photographers will also be encouraged to bring additional works to show and sell.

There is no cash prize, Ferencz said, only the exhibition—"because that's what we were talking about that day. What we really want as amateur photographers is a place to show our work."

To download an entry form, visit lesaphotography.com/officialentryform.pdf. For information, visit Lesa Photography's Web site, lesaphotography.com. Interested in sponsoring the exhibition? Send an e-mail to sponsorship@lesaphotography.com.