Well-traveled Cameras Bring Images from Around the World to RIT


Photo Professor Initiated "Pass the Camera" Project


A set of point-and-shoot cameras is helping prove that it truly is a small world after all. The cameras are at the heart of an activity by photographers from around the globe that will result in a very unusual photo exhibit at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Pass the Camera is the project that grew out of discussions on PhotoForum, an Internet bulletin board maintained by RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. Educators, students and professionals are part of this online community, which provides members with the opportunity to exchange experiences and critiques related to photography.

"Somebody suggested that it would be interesting to just pass a camera around," says Andrew Davidhazy, RIT’S chair of imaging and photographic technology. "As a result, people from around the world are being brought together, and I’m pleased that we could facilitate that. I just find the whole thing fascinating."

The initial camera, nicknamed Vagabond, started its journey a year ago in Great Britain and has made its way to places like Australia, South Africa, Slovenia, Switzerland, Brazil and Argentina. Three other cameras, nicknamed Betsy, Maverick and Raphael, have been exchanged among photographers in this country. All four cameras are expected to arrive at their final destination, the RIT campus, this summer.

No one is certain what to expect when the cameras finally arrive in Rochester, in particular whether the images even survived the lengthy journey. Davidhazy will process the film and, if all goes well, produce an exhibit of these worldly photos, both at RIT and online.

For more information on the Pass the Camera project, visit the PhotoForum Web site at www.st-abbs.fsnet.co.uk/vagabond.

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MEDIA NOTE: Andrew Davidhazy is available at (716) 475-2592 or andpph@rit.edu for interviews.


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