We are proud to announce the Rfotofolio Selections for 2024. This year we were honored to have Diana Bloomfield as our guest juror. Diana, we appreciate your time and thoughtful choices. Thank you! We asked the juror to select her top portfolio and Works of Merit. This was no easy task.
Be it color or black and white, street photography or abstract, you inspired us with the amazing work that you created. If your work does not appear here do not be discouraged. There was so much wonderful work that we could not select simply because we are limited to a certain number.
Thank you for entering this years call. By doing so, we are able to see work that we might have missed. Your donations help support Rfotofolio and the grants we give each year.
Statement from Diana Bloomfield
Enormous appreciation goes to Rfotofolio’s Connie and Jerry Rosenthal for inviting me to be this year’s juror for the 2024 Rfotofolio Award. And to all the artists who submitted their work, which was—across the board— truly impressive, thank you! The introduction to such strong and compelling work, and the time to study and linger over it, has been both an honor and a privilege.
Of course, the flip-side of viewing such strong portfolios is winnowing those to just a few awards. I spent weeks looking over these, again and again. Ultimately, I chose work that introduced me to worlds that, whether real or imagined, I found so compelling that the images stayed with me. I couldn’t stop thinking about them and the stories they told. I also very much appreciated their thoughtful artist statements that underscored the work.
Selections from Diana Bloomfield
2024 Rfotofolio Selection
Karen Olson
“This exquisite hand-crafted work was thoughtfully conceived and perfectly executed, from the paper-making to the shaping, sculpting, and thoughtful meshing of materials. The result is a meaningful connection to and personal interpretation of the natural world. The dimensionality and tactility of these pieces, utilizing a myriad of natural fibers, work so well together. I appreciate that these layered effects weren’t simply added as adornment, but rather hand-built in deliberate and meaningful ways— ways that reveal strength, vulnerability, and the ephemeral qualities found in the natural world. Each piece has a purpose that works with another piece. Like nature, one seemingly cannot co-exist without the other. This work felt spiritual to me in its use and treatment of natural materials that were so lovingly and expertly sculpted. A vision beautifully realized, this is true artistry and craftsmanship- start to finish.” Diana Bloomfield
Works of Merit
Jerry Takigawa
“I found this intergenerational narrative incredibly powerful. An intensely personal body of work, the core message remains universal and still resonates over 80 years later, serving as both a reminder and a warning. The grace, dignity, and the closeness of this Japanese-American family, their soft monochromatic images gently placed in the background, shine brightly through the artifacts and harsh words literally placed upon them in these photographs. This is at once heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful work— a relevant testimony to how the past always informs the present, and the future. I also very much appreciated the insightful and heartfelt artist statement that accompanied this work.” Diana Bloomfield
Magdalena Grela
“In my decision-making for these Awards, I was always drawn to the portfolios that I found so strong that I couldn’t stop thinking about them. This body of work, in particular, was one that stayed with me from the first time I viewed it. These monochromatic images of Ukrainian Romani refugees provide an unflinching look at displaced, war-torn families now living in shelters far from their homeland. On a technical level, these are strong and natural compositions, pulling the viewer close while still allowing space to take in the surroundings. So many of these images reveal a jarring sense of normalcy- kids being kids- but always tinged with a resigned look of sadness. The most resonant, and perhaps representative of all the work, is “Woman with her Twin Boys.” This mother, cradling her two young boys while looking interestedly and intently at another child, reflects love, strength, and pride, as shown in her body language and facial expression. This is such strong documentary work, and tells as much about the photographer as it does her subject matter.” Diana Bloomfield
Claudia Hollister
“Among the 19th century photographic printing processes, I have always found the cyanotype to be one of the more difficult and challenging to get right- despite its reputation for being simple and straightforward. But when someone takes the time and gets it so right, the results are nothing short of magical. These stunningly rich cyanotypes are like magic, timeless in their subject matter, tactile, and intoxicating in their lush tones of blue. Such richness found in the deepest of blues contrasted with equally delicate and detailed highlights enhances the imagery. Not only masterfully executed, the images practically jump off the page, offering both clarity and softness. The compositions are thoughtful and spot-on, and the interplay of light is nothing short of mesmerizing.” Diana Bloomfield
Selections from Rfotofolio
Thank you to all of the artists that particpated in this years call. Your work spoke of nature, personal experiences, dealing with change, and careful observations.
Making our selections was challenging but in the end we went with the work that spoke to us both. Artist statements were both articulate and supported the portfolios, and we appreciate the effort. Photography is the perfect media to give the viewer a new experience, to see something that may only exist in the artist mind, brings something to our attention that we may miss in everyday life, and to appreciate the space around us.
You inspire us. C.R. and J.R.
Selections from Rfotofolio
Norm Snyder
Robert Treat
Maija Bondar
Matt Connors
To learn more aboutDiana Bloomfield please visit her page by clicking on her name.
To learn more about these photographers please click on their names.
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