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#492. SoFoBoMo
By Paul Perton | News
In 2009, a completely unexpected and very interesting photographic book competition was launched. SoFoBoMo (be warned – it’s a bitch to type) or Solo Photo Book Month, laid out a simple rule; take not less than 35 photographs in a four week period, lay the images out into book format, convert to PDF and submit to the SoFoBoMo Web site for visitors to page through.
The four weeks you chose had to be nominated within the set down eight week period of the SoFoBoMo (1 July to 31 August), allowing you a little leeway with your own deadlines and availability.
There were no prizes, the reward was in the photography, completion of a challenging project and taking a place amongst one’s peers.
In 2009, I set out to shoot Langa one of Cape Town’s oldest and biggest African townships. It came together so quickly that I had time to make a second entry; Harmony Beach, photographed at the derelict beach resort of that name in Gordon’s Bay, just a few kilometres along the coast from where I live.
In 2010, I managed a single entry Gees* a first person view of the FIFA World Cup in Cape Town.
SoFoBoMo 2011 saw me again manage two entries; Holiday Homes and Saving Steam.
And then SoFoBoMo died.
As a non-profit effort, it wasn’t a surprise. I wasn’t involved and can’t comment on the whys and wherefores. I will admit to a twinge of disappointment when I got the news, however.
SoFoBoMo 2016 was launched at the end of May and I admit to a frisson of excitement at receiving the invite.
Got a few hours on your hands in the next month or so? Why not sign-up and give SoFoBoMo a try. If you enjoy it half as much as I have, you’ll have a great time.
* Gees is an Afrikaans word that means, pride, passion
A series of images from these five books is in date order below:
2009 book 1 – Langa
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Langa
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Langa
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Langa
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Langa
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Langa
2009 book 2 – Harmony Beach
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Harmony Beach
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Harmony Beach
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Harmony Beach
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Harmony Beach
From 2009’s SoFoBoMo – Harmony Beach
2010 Gees
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees. BTW, the hat is called a makarapa
From 2010’s SoFoBoMo – Gees
2011 book 1 – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Saving Steam
2011 book 2 – Holiday Homes
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Holiday Homes
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Holiday Homes
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Holiday Homes
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Holiday Homes
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Holiday Homes
From 2011’s SoFoBoMo – Holiday Homes
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Great news. I was wondering just the other day if it would be resurrected. A good discipline challenge.
Are you going to make an entry Mike? Maybe pass the info on to J-M? His recent photographs make me think he could compile a fine entry.
Brilliant idea, Paul. Seeing your photographs on the page is one (nice) thing but seeing them in a consistent book is another. Holiday homes is a corker, btw.
So, c’mon readers, who’s in for a challenge ? Gear talk is one thing but this is where the rubber hits the road !!! Do it now, thank Paul later 🙂
Great idea ! It’s a very good thing to show our pictures on this website.