FotoWeekDC

FotoWeekDC

By: Sydney Kane

Sentry Staff Reporter

For the past six years, FotoWeekDC (also known as FotoDC) has become a go-to source for the most modern views on photography, equipment and technique for professional and amateur photographers around the world. Known for its variety of exhibits, guest speakers and contests, FotoDC is a collection of inspiring works that invite everyone to experience the diverse world of photography.

This year FotoWeekDC was held the first week and a half of November and its main location was in the National Geographic Museum Courtyard. Its outdoor exhibition featured the work from programs and competitions and was free and open to the public.

FotoDC’s mission is to provide exposure for those who deserve recognition and display exhibits that are meant to motivate the local and international community. It provides an influential and engaging experience for its tens of thousands of viewers yearly.

One of FotoWeekDC’s main attractions is the annual youth photo contest. Each year, 19 photos of thousands are featured from three different age groups of school-aged adolescents in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. Every year, a Yorktown High School student has placed. This year, junior John Lihach, a Photography II student, was awarded first place in the Natural World category.

John Lihach's photo (above) was featured in this years FotoweekDC photography exhibition. Photo By John Lihach
John Lihach’s photo (above) was featured in this years FotoWeekDC photography exhibition.
Photo By John Lihach

“I was very excited when I found out I won. It was the first legitimate contest I’ve ever won, so I was pretty shocked. And there were a lot of people submitting photos, so I was really surprised that I won,” said Lihach.

He explained that he was not expecting any sort of recognition. He said that everyone always expects for someone to have a better picture than one’s own; he has always been hopeful that eventually he would be that someone. Finally, he is.

When art teacher Allen Beland was asked if he expected any of his students to be recognized, he immediately said that he did.

“FotoWeek DC youth contest has been open now for six years, and a student from YHS has placed in every year,” he explained. “So yes, I did expect that one of our students would place. This year, when I explained the criteria to them, my motivation speech to them included that YHS has had someone place in the finals each and every year of this contest. Do not let this be the first year that we don’t have representation.”

Fortunately, he was not disappointed.

When asked what the best part of the whole experience was, Beland responded, “I think for the students, it’s the national recognition…and the experience in competing in something other than debate or athletics. It brings recognition to Yorktown and lets people know that [we are] a viable force in the arts as well as math, science and athletics. When their work is selected, it hangs on a gallery wall, so when the students go down and see their work hanging and being presented in a professional manner, name plaque and all with the ceremony in the lobby of the Washington Post main building, the winners are treated like royalty. They get to be king for a day. Among other things, it’s a moral, emotion and confidence lifter. It’s just an overall amazing experience.”

As for Lihach, he was happy to be recognized on a national level for all his hard work and talent.

“[The best part of this experience] is probably how now I have proof that I’m a good photographer and that somebody out there likes my photos and that’s the best thing ever,” explained Lihach.

Beland is always happy for his students when they achieve the recognition they deserve. He attends each and every one of their exhibits and award ceremonies in continuous support.

I’m always extremely proud [of them],” he concluded. “I don’t think words could even begin to…explain my pride for them. And I do brag, but not from a selfish standpoint. You won’t ever hear that they won because of my teaching because I don’t feel that I’ve taught them that. I feel that it came from within…Simply put, I’m extremely proud. I don’t have any other way to describe it.”

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