Colorado photographers battle for ten grand
A 1997 snowboarding trip inspired a competition that now pits five finalists against each other in Durango for a $10,000 prize.
By Alina Marshall ·
Ten thousand dollars hangs over the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis this Wednesday, a sum that traces its roots to a drunken bar gathering in Whistler, Canada, almost three decades ago.
The money is the top prize in the Colorado Pro Photographer Showdown, an event organized by Jack Turner. Turner and Eric Berger returned from a snowboarding expedition in Iran in 1997, a trip that garnered media attention for its location. They decided to share their images, including shots of Tehran’s streets and buildings, at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The two gathered a group in a local bar and played a slideshow. By the end of the night, the room held 200 people. Turner described the atmosphere as fun and noted that the crowd loved the visual presentation. That single evening created a tradition that has since evolved into a competitive format.
Turner is bringing that format to Durango. The contest opened to any Colorado photographer earlier this year, moving beyond the action sports focus of its predecessors. Organizers received more than 50 applications and selected five finalists to compete. In addition to the $10,000 cash prize, the competition awards $1,000 for the people’s choice award and $1,000 for the best single photograph. Tickets for the event cost between $25 and $35. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at 1000 Rim Dr.
Turner hopes the energy from that original Whistler bar will return. He encourages the audience to participate actively. He told the audience to scream, cheer, and loudly tell their friends how much they love a specific photo to influence the judging. He characterized the event as a moment to be savored, warning that it is easy to miss if one looks away. The showdown anchors Colorado Photography Week, a series of photo-focused events in Durango that runs from Nov. 14 to 22.
The week offers other cultural options for those looking to fill their schedules. The 17th annual DocuWest Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday at the Sie FilmCenter at 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. The festival screens five feature films and two short film collections. A community barbecue is planned for Sunday. Tickets are $15 per screening. One of the documentaries follows a two-month bike ride for civil rights, while another examines a Weird Al Yankovich burlesque troupe.
Holiday markets have also arrived. The Deck the Halls market opens Friday night at Carbondale Arts, 76 S. Fourth St. in Carbondale. It sells candles, cards, and other local crafts. The market is free to enter and remains open until Dec. 24.
For those who prefer a loud cinema experience, a movie night is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. at The Arts Campus at Willits, 400 Robinson St. in Basalt. Three comedians, Adam, Rory, and Ben, will select a film and comment on it throughout the screening. The audience does not learn the title of the movie until they arrive at the theater. Tickets are $35.
