Magical World (#11): lucky visit to Dutch Amateurs Photography Festival

Getting lucky

We went out for lunch at the Fenix Food Factory at Katendrecht, Rotterdam. The place was more crowded than usual, but it was Ascension Day so I was guessing the extra people were just because of the holiday. When we were already biking home, I passed an interesting looking poster. And I told my husband to go ahead, he had to get ready for work. I went back and checked the poster, and it announced a Photography Festrival - Fotofestival aan de Maas. Located at Delhiplein, just around the corner where we had lunch, and starting that very day itself!

So I went back, and was completely surprised to find this festival dedicated to the work of Dutch amateur photographers. I felt like the luckiest person, husband heading off to work and for me, out of the blue, a lovely photography festival to attend! I've been hoping to improve my (very) amateur photography skills, and the art around the festival was so inspiring!!

The art was displayed in blue containers, set up on Delhiplein (Delhi Square). On the outside, the containers were decorated with some of the outstanding work of amateur photographers.

For the festival, the jury had requested the amateur photographers to send in not just single photographs, but series. In this way they got to present photographers who are capable of more than just a lucky shot, who can create quality consistently.

6 years in a row

This year was the 6th edition of the festival, and it has been growing since it started. Now presenting the work of photographers from all over the Netherlands, and even having the exhibition hosted at the Dutch Photography Museum (which is just around the corner on Kop van Zuid).

One of the containers had a collection of newspaper and magazine cuts, showing how this 'Fotofestival aan de Maas' had been presented in the news, how it had been appreciated. It was fun to read some of the festival's history, and also how critics agreed that the work of amateurs is not so easy to tell apart from the work of professionals. Sometimes, the only difference between the two is that professionals get paid - the quality can be equally awesome, was their opinion. Inspiring words for a want-to-be (amateur) photographer ;).

Appreciation for the quality at Fotofestival aan de Maas, and from Dutch amateur photographers in general.

Fotofestival

The festival was arranged around Delhiplein, with different containers showing the work of different photography collectives, each presenting the art of multiple photographers. I was happy to find out about a few amateur photography groups here in Rotterdam itself, took their info. But the best part was a goodie bag they gave away at one of the containers, which even had a voucher for an online photography course. I collected a bag and really looking forward to getting into the contents of that course!

Different photography collectives each displayed their members' work.

Containers neatly lined up. I think there were 12 to 15 of them in total.

View from inside one of the containers.

People admiring the expo. It was a bit weird to take pictures of people watching pictures, because I felt they definitely knew what I was doing ;).

Goodiebag

Like I said, at one of the containers, there were take-away goodiebags. I was already feeling lucky finding the festival by surprise, but with there also being a goodiebag I felt double lucky! Not just because I had something to take home with me. But because I really felt supported in my interest in photography. Realising there were so many people involved to get a festival like that to happen, so many photographers who have been taking pictures and sending in their work. Isn't it just awesome to be gifted a surprise like that?

I was enjoying myself so much looking at the art displayed in all the containers, I decided to take the book which had the full collection of the festivals photography selection for sale home with me. And I also got inspired to start making more pictures, right away! :)

The goodiebags. I felt like a kid surprised by Christmas.

When I got home, I went through all the contents of the goodiebag. It had a digital camera protection cover, some Focus magazines with articles on photography and as I mentioned, a voucher for an introductory photography course. Really amazing.

Thank you!

I like to end my posts with a thank you note to whoever reads them. But this time, the thak-you-part is for all the people who put in their effort to organise that festival, for all the photographers who were displaying their awesome work, for the goodiebag full of treasures and just in general for life, being so kind to always be showering these wonderful little surprises. Hope you enjoyed too!

I immediately got eager to take more pictures! The area around Delhiplein has a lot of awesome photography material, to be honest. Some of the pictures turned out really cool, but I'm saving them for tomorrow's post!

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Magical World Series

This is post #11 in the Magical World Series. With these posts, I hope to add a little happiness and light-heartedness to your day. There is magic in every little corner of the world. And if we share it with each other, it does really brighten up the place!

Earlier posts in this series:

• Camping in the Belgian Ardennes
• Chessmen from all around the globe
• The art we love, and how it can support us
• Streetart at Noordereiland, Rotterdam
• Visiting Villa Zebra, a museum for kids in Rotterdam

All content is created by me, and Steemit original.
Camera used: Canon G7X