1st South Beach Photomarathon

On Sunday, June 12, 2005 Fotomission hosted the First South Beach Photomarathon. The event, which was sponsored by Tropicolor, Starbucks, Tiffany & co. and the Cardozo Hotel, was a great success, with 40 photographers participating. The photographers ranged in experience from student to professional, and each brought their own vision and creativity to the event. For the Photomarathon, the contestants were given six topics to photograph, shooting only 4 frames per topic. The topics, which were kept secret until the event day included, a beginning, art deco, red, wet, fast, and the end. They were purposefully vague, requiring the photographers to use their own creativity and the inspiration of South Beach.

The day began early as we met at the Cardozo Hotel and the photographers were given their first two topics at 10:30 a.m. Every two hours they were able to pick up the next set topics at different locations in South Beach. The day was hot, but the photographers were full of energy and resourcefulness. While a few rode bikes or drove, most walked around South Beach, exploring the area for their artistic ideas. The Photomarathon ended at 4:30 p.m. at Tropicolor, where the contestants finally turned in their film or digital files. Most were exhausted, but eager to speak with the other photographers about their ideas and the images they photographed. They did this over a few drinks back at the Cardozo Hotel.

The finale for this event occured on July 1, when the winners of the First South Beach Photomarathon were awarded. There were prizes for the best overall photographers, as well as for the best photograph for each topic. The photographs will be on display at Tropicolor from July 1 to July 31.

We are already looking forward to another Photomarathon next year!