Today (September 21, 2023) marks the beginning of Exposure+ Photo, Kuala Lumpur’s largest citywide photography festival.
Stretching over two weekends to October 1, 2023, the venues include prominent locations such as GMBB, REXKL, KLoé Hotel, and the Zhongshan Building. Other interesting venues are BookXcess, LOKL Coffee Co., High Street Studios (HSS), Triptyk, Kantata, and Zontiga. Other than its main attraction, an exhibition featuring works by 20 global artists, including Malaysian photographers, and programs such as workshops, portfolio reviews, talks, presentations, photo walks, and other photography activities will also be held and open to the general public.
Co-founded by photographers Steven Lee and Nadirah Zakariya, EXPOSURE+ PHOTO kept to its mission to expand the depth and exposure of Malaysia-based photographers by way of an international open call, along with a varied and fresh international program designed to stimulate local audiences. Both Steven and Nadirah gave an in-depth briefing about the festival to guests and attendees of its launch held at the Grey Room of GMBB KL last Thursday on its opening day.
The festival this year came with a new inspiring theme, ‘A Different Light’. According to Nadirah Zakariya, co-founder of Exposure+Photo, “The festival’s focus is primarily on photography projects, including videos that resonate with our audiences, where personal experiences and storytelling come together visually in the form of photographic self-expression. The theme was chosen primarily because we wanted to choose a theme broad enough to be open to interpretation by different types of photography genres. We also wanted a theme that would attract fresh ideas and something that you could take anywhere depending on your interpretation or imagination”.
Steven Lee, another co-founder of Exposure+ Photo and one who is respected as a role model for any aspiring photographer, said, “I’m proud to announce that we received more than 160 Open Call submissions from all over the world. Our panel of judges includes prominent names in the photography industry, namely Ihiro Hayami, director of T3 Photo Festival Tokyo, and Carol Körting, photo editor of LFI (Leica Fotografie International) magazine. We have managed to narrow it down to the best 20 deemed as best representing the theme for this year’s festival with compelling personal stories and strong accompanying visuals”.
As a special treat to all Malaysian photographers, one of this year’s judges, Carol Körting, and Benedetta Donato, a photography curator from Milan, Italy, will be sharing their keynote presentations at GMBB Level 9 Temu Temu from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Their insights into topics within their personal professional roles in the international photography industry would definitely be beneficial to all new and budding photographers.
“We would like to especially thank Canon Malaysia as our main sponsor. Our appreciation also goes to all our other sponsors, partners, and supporters, both online and offline, from all over the world, as well as friends and family who have been with us since day one. I would also like to take this opportunity to invite everyone, especially the rakyat of Malaysia, to visit the Exposure+Photo 2023 festival at its many venues around our beloved capital city and immerse themselves in the various programs we have lined up throughout the period. Your presence alone means the world to us”, says Steven enthusiastically.
As a special treat to all Malaysian photographers, one of this year’s judges, Carol Körting, and Benedetta Donato, a photography curator from Milan, Italy, will be sharing their keynote presentations at GMBB Level 9 Temu Temu from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Their insights into topics within their personal professional roles in the international photography industry would definitely be beneficial to all new and budding photographers.
Exposure+Photo aims to encourage photography as an art form and means of expression in Malaysia. By presenting Malaysian photographers with a platform to showcase their work and visitors from all walks of life the opportunity to be inspired by the printed image and the importance of photography as a means of communication, Exposure+ Photo hopes to hold true to its mission slogan, ‘Photography For All’ and a reference to a modern-day catalyst of the world of photography, especially in the region.
Follow Exposure+Photo on social media to receive the latest news and information on the festival.
Instagram: @exposureplusphoto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/exposureplusphoto
X: https://twitter.com/ExpPlusPhoto
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exposureplusphoto/
Or visit their website, www.exposureplusphoto.com.
