The Toronto Photography Marathon's aim is to gather photographers from all corners of the map and from all skill levels, to encourage the proliferation of photography as an art form, and strengthen Toronto’s photographic-art community.
We are a not-for-profit organization, All the financial contributions in forms of fees, covers, sponsorship, and donations, are directed toward the cost of running the event; such as space rental, film processing, marketing material, performers fees, prizes and honorariums. If we have any money left after all costs, it is re-invested into the following marathon. We are a volunteer run organization at all levels.
Marathon participants are given themes to inspire creativity. Each participant is only permitted to take one picture per theme within a 24-hour period (Saturday noon to Sunday noon). Photographers have to work with a conscious intention of what, how and why they want to take a picture for a particular theme. In this way, the act of releasing the shutter manifests as a final act of the creative process that has taken place.
After the marathon weekend, photographers, friends and family are invited to attend an Exhibition Evening. This night is where sharing and networking takes place amongst photographers and guests. All of the pictures are anonymously displayed according to their various themes. Presenting all photographers equally, regardless of their experience, encourages participants to engage in conversation with one another. These are then voted upon and winning photographs from each theme are awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
Above all, this night is designed to exhibit the photographers' artwork.
How it got started:
Each March, Brazilians on the island city of Florianópolis load fresh film into their cameras and turn up their radios as they wait for secret themes to be broadcast live every few hours. They then race through the streets seeking out an image that captures the essence of each theme or concept. This race for photographers is drawn out over two days, so organizers called it Maratona Fotográfica de Florianópolis — a photo marathon — when it was conceived 11 years ago.
A continent away, two Brazilians (Everton Souza and Lalo Porto) discreetly started the Toronto Photography Marathon. Its first season, Autumn 2004, quietly attracted 40 participants. Its second season, Summer 2005, saw nearly 60 participants. In April (Spring) 2006, it gathered 100 participants — or rather, marathoners.
Indeed, Toronto’s marathon is far from the mass participation seen in Florianópolis— which has seen 400 marathoners and nearly $12,000 Cdn in prizes.
But the idea remains: To react to a concept and improvise with film.
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