PLEASE NOTE NEW DOOR TIME 6:00PM

On Saturday December 12th, 2009, while most Vancouverites were still fast asleep in their warm beds, 60 adventurers bundled up and headed down to Blenz Coffee in Yaletown to take a ride on the time machine called the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon. For only $12, these shutterbugs travelled back to the old days of film and spent the next 12 hours interpreting and capturing ‐ in sequence no less ‐ 12 randomly drawn themes with only 12 exposures.

On Saturday January 16th, 2010, we will dial it back again and offer the rest of Vancouver the chance to live the excitement of the 12x12 through the lenses of our marathoners at a free public exhibit. Entitled “Raw Talent,” every single one of our marathoners will have a place on the grand gallery walls of the Vancouver Photo Workshops, and a chance at prizes worth over $2,000 that will be awarded to some of the most original and imaginative interpretations as adjudicated by an esteemed panel of judges.

Raw Talent is a FREE public exhibit in a space so grand that there's room for you, your family, your friends and their neighbours. This is going to be one classy event so dress to the nines and come join us in celebration of the art of film photography.

About the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon

A first of its kind in Vancouver, the 12x12 proved to be a challenge of the mind and body as marathoners were given 12 hours to capture 12 themes with only 12 exposures on a roll of 35mm film. Cameras of choice ranged from those with barely a layer of dust to them, to classics dating back to the 50s and 60s, a time when TV dinners were considered space age technology! The range of skills and experience was as wide as the personalities and backgrounds of those taking part, but what really leveled the playing field for all was the removal of the digital safety net and with it, the instant preview and delete button.

The sense of community that quickly formed was another welcomed reminder of a simpler time when virtual realms weren’t the meeting place of choice, when people didn’t hold conversations through their avatars, and where “LOL”s were replaced with laughter and “OMG”s with genuine excitement. Our home base was abuzz with activity each hour as marathoners returned for the next theme reveal, which was always followed by lively discussions as strangers became friends who shared a spark of creativity.

So come join us on Saturday January 16th, 2010 as 60 marathoners regroup with nervous anticipation to find out how their images developed. With talent showcased in its purest form without the allure of Photoshop or a deceptive airbrush, our gala evening will be the not‐to‐be‐missed event of the New Year.

For more information visit the official 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon website and follow us on Twitter @12x12YVR.