There may be many reasons for the emergence of photographers across Georgia. High paid wedding photography jobs may be one of them, as newcomers can earn around 500 Georgian Lari for a day of shooting, whereas established shutterbugs range between 1000 to 1500 Lari. In a country in which the average salary is around 400-600 Lari per month, the attraction to this profession seems obvious.
Still, not only the importance of marriage spurs the industry, but youngsters taking over the city, exploring cameras for their artistic expression. From blurry Bokeh-style shots to powerful political pictures, photography penetrates all sectors of society. The trend goes so far that new photo galleries are popping up in the old town attracting locals and tourists alike.
To satisfy this high demand, the “Kolga Tbilisi Photo” week gathers the brightest and most renegade minds to organize exhibitions and workshops under the spotlight of photography. Considered as the top photography award of the country, thousands of photos get submitted to the jury for the prestigious Kolga Award, which is handed out to the best shots in numerous categories. From mobile photography to documentaries, each category is endowed with a 1500 USD price incentive, which the winner can reinvest into his/her photography ambitions.
Mats Karlsson was the lucky champion in last year’s category “One Shot,” awarded the prize for his dystopian picture of a man with his son sitting in a restaurant filled with TVs screening various black and white movies, while he is lost in the display of his phone. At the same time, his son awkwardly looks into the distance as he slowly sips on noodle soup.
The festival also hosts various exhibitions dedicated to the best photographers of our century.
On May 3, the day before the official start of the photo week, the Tbilisi History Museum is showcasing the pioneering works of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who is considered the inventor of modern street photography. Visitors can gaze for free at his creations in the city of love, which he captured in an impeccably natural way. He was the first photographer allowed in the USSR from the beginning of the Cold War, making his exhibition even more significant for this post-Soviet Republic.
Other exhibitions show Nanuka Zaalishvili’s hunt for Soviet Bus Stops, Vittorio Sella’s 1889 excursion into Georgian Svaneti, or Jan Grarup’s impressive use of the camera in worn-torn countries.
As if this wouldn’t already be enough to lose oneself in photography, workshops will accompany the photo week, allowing those interested to pick the brains of the professionals. Thekla Ehling’s workshop will give hobby shutterbugs the chance to get their shots evaluated. Don’t forget: the harsher the critique, the better the results.
Kolga Tbilisi Photo is held throughout Tbilisi from May 3 – May 11
See www.kolga.ge for more information.
By Benjamin Music
Photo:Nanuka Zaalishvili