(S)Light of Hand 2026
Juror's Statement
When I was in graduate school, my advanced black and white craft teacher, Craig Stevens, tried to teach us the nuances of the Mordançage process invented by Jean-Pierre Sudre and perfected by Elizabeth Opalenik. Craig was no slouch himself, but most of us students were turning the water hose on full blast and watching the emulsion wash away. There I was trying futilely to get the sheets of emulsion to stay attached to the paper base and lay in beautiful veils across my image, creating the dream-like compositions that I’d seen in textbooks. Alas, I’d have to become a platinum printer instead.
All that said, when I saw the innovative and beautiful Mordançage prints submitted by J. Jason Lazarus, I thought not only were they technically incredible, but they also used the process in such a powerful and poignant way. When I want to accept every single image in an artist’s submission, that usually means they are going to get the juror award.
As someone who focused on historical processes in their own studies and career, I was honored and excited to jury the (S)light of Hand exhibition for the Photographer’s Eye Collective. So many of my favorite alternative processes and many more that I didn’t even know were possible or that they existed! Thank you to all the artists for sharing your work with me and for pushing the boundaries of what a photograph can be! Congratulations to all!
Ann Jastrab, September 2026
Director's Statement
Our annual (S)LIGHT OF HAND juried exhibition was born out of a passion for creating photographs by hand. For me it began with the darkroom but enlarged to include making Platinum Palladium, toned Cyanotypes, and now gravure. I am positively in love with the difficulty and uncertainty these processes can present. And there are more and more folks who feel as I do. With the possibility of creating a specialized exhibition here devoted to those who make unique and historical processes, I felt the opportunity was great. Seven years ago we began this idea and each year has been a delight. Thank you to our juror Ann Jastrab. It’s intensive looking at hundreds of photographs and trying to whittle down to a number we can handle and your work is much appreciated. Thank you also to all of you who entered your work. You have given us the gift of a beautiful show.
Donna Cosentino
Juror's Statement
When I was in graduate school, my advanced black and white craft teacher, Craig Stevens, tried to teach us the nuances of the Mordançage process invented by Jean-Pierre Sudre and perfected by Elizabeth Opalenik. Craig was no slouch himself, but most of us students were turning the water hose on full blast and watching the emulsion wash away. There I was trying futilely to get the sheets of emulsion to stay attached to the paper base and lay in beautiful veils across my image, creating the dream-like compositions that I’d seen in textbooks. Alas, I’d have to become a platinum printer instead.
All that said, when I saw the innovative and beautiful Mordançage prints submitted by J. Jason Lazarus, I thought not only were they technically incredible, but they also used the process in such a powerful and poignant way. When I want to accept every single image in an artist’s submission, that usually means they are going to get the juror award.
As someone who focused on historical processes in their own studies and career, I was honored and excited to jury the (S)light of Hand exhibition for the Photographer’s Eye Collective. So many of my favorite alternative processes and many more that I didn’t even know were possible or that they existed! Thank you to all the artists for sharing your work with me and for pushing the boundaries of what a photograph can be! Congratulations to all!
Ann Jastrab, September 2026
Director's Statement
Our annual (S)LIGHT OF HAND juried exhibition was born out of a passion for creating photographs by hand. For me it began with the darkroom but enlarged to include making Platinum Palladium, toned Cyanotypes, and now gravure. I am positively in love with the difficulty and uncertainty these processes can present. And there are more and more folks who feel as I do. With the possibility of creating a specialized exhibition here devoted to those who make unique and historical processes, I felt the opportunity was great. Seven years ago we began this idea and each year has been a delight. Thank you to our juror Ann Jastrab. It’s intensive looking at hundreds of photographs and trying to whittle down to a number we can handle and your work is much appreciated. Thank you also to all of you who entered your work. You have given us the gift of a beautiful show.
Donna Cosentino
© The Photographer's Eye: A Creative Collective