Photo LA/Review LA
by Aline Smithson

Image by Eric Chuang

In case you are not familiar with Photo LA, it's a three day photographic art fair with galleries from all over the world under one roof. Each gallery has a booth space where they showcase and sell work from their artist rosters, giving us a window into what's selling and what's popular. Included are collecting seminars with photo experts such as Anthony Bannon from the George Eastman House and lectures by images makers such as David La Chapelle and Lynn Saville. In addition to Photo LA, there are lots of parties and openings at Los Angeles galleries and a second selling venue at the Michael Dawson Gallery featuring classic photographs. And finally, Center hosted a weekend of photographic reviews that took place steps away from Photo LA.

Photo LA was all about the black and white print. Booth after booth showed traditional and vintage imagery in smaller sizes, undoubtedly a reflection of a more conservative buying public. It appeared that photographs were selling, but the the age of the large color statement piece seemed to be absent (at least until the economy picks up). A few galleries were color centric, but none brought large scale prints.

Some offerings from Hous Projects:

DNJ Gallery:

Susan Spiritus:

Kevin Logino:

Some of the gallery offerings:

In conjunction with Photo LA, Center hosted Review LA on Friday and Saturday. Seventy five photographers came from around the globe to sit with curators, gallerists, book publishers, and agents to receive guidance and feedback on their projects, and network with the photographic community.

Laura Wzorek Pressley and Jessica Parker from Center:

My reviewing table:

Reviews in progress:

Photographers between reviews:

The Review LA Portfolio Viewing held in a ballroom at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Monica on Friday evening. Open to the public, participating photographers shared their work with Photo LA exhibitors, reviewers, photography collectors, and fans.

Marjorie Salvaterra and Andy Adams:

Mary Virginia Swanson and Bernd Reinhardt :

Ellen Cantor:

Linda Morrow:

Tootie Nienow:

Susan Worsham:

Noelle Swan Gilbert:

Woody Woodruff:

Enrique Ahumada:

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