I’m taking a large step away from the blog to focus on 1-2 projects I plan to announce early next spring. Enjoy summer, stay cool, be productive, and do good things. I will see you in the fall.

I did a short interview with Jonathan Cherry from MULL IT OVER. I enjoyed his thoughtful and poignant questions.

JC: What is it that has drawn you to Uganda?

DW: I wanted to leave the United States and experience how much of the world lives each day. I wanted to learn about myself and the world through photography.

Read the rest of my interview with Jonathan Cherry.

Sewing Machines, Alebtong, Uganda, 2009

Featured on Flak Photo.

I’m very pleased to have one of my photograph’s offered by Collect.Give, a wonderful project founded by Kevin Miyazaki.

Title: Peter, 2009

Description: In January and February 2009 I spent 2 months in the small village of Alebtong, Uganda. Peter is one of only a few elderly leaders because most were abducted and brutally killed by the Lord’s Resistance Army for not offering support to fight the Ugandan Army. Absence of elderly persons amongst the communities has adversely affected their culture and development.

Size: 9.6×12″ image on 11×14″ paper

Media: Archival pigment print

Edition Size: 20

Price: $100

To Benefit: A River Blue, a school in northern Uganda providing psychosocial counseling and intense vocational training in topics like tailoring, agriculture, and arts to vulnerable youth, formerly of internally-displaced persons camps. For more information: www.ariverblue.org

David’s Pledge: 100% of print sales. $2000 total if the edition sells out.

Click here to purchase a limited edition print of Peter and support A River Blue.

Water, Rockport, Maine, 2010

“The question of whether or not there is a God or truth or reality, or whatever you like to call it, can never be answered by books, by priests, philosophers or saviors. Nobody and nothing can answer the question but you yourself and that is why you must know yourself. Immaturity lies only in total ignorance of the self. To understand yourself is the beginning of wisdom.”

— from Freedom From The Known by Krishnamurti

I find myself pulled in, looking ever more closely, finding their strength, their delicacy, and their beauty. If they are willing to return the gaze, the game is afoot. In order to succeed, I must slowly disrobe my emotions. I must slowly unveil my feelings, and for the portrait to be successful, she must be willing to do the same. There is a far greater intimacy exposed, although not necessarily in the touch. There is a connection, an openness, an ability to reveal both of ourselves completely, with all our strengths and vulnerabilities. This is a very difficult thing to do, both for me, and for her. It is what distinguishes greatness from mediocrity. How far you are willing to emotionally travel is as important as your talent.

To succeed, we must fall in love, take the pictures, and then slowly take deep breaths, realizing who we are, and walk slowly away from the edge.

– an excerpt from Rodney Smith’s “May I Feel, Said He”.

A kind write-up of my Uganda: A River Blue exhibition was featured in Zoom Magazine, an Italian publication dedicated to “serious professionals and artists who need and want to know what is happening in the key international centers at set the pace in image creativity and graphic design.” The magazine also highlights the work of photographers Robert Adams, Raymond Meeks, Lori Nix, Will Steacy, and others. I’m honored to be in the company of these photographers.

Check out Zoom Magazine’s website.

Although I have been making prints for photographers and artists for years, I’m very proud to formally announce David Wright Editions.

Throughout the years I have had the pleasure of collaborating with talented, award-winning photographers and artists to make prints ranging from single images to vast exhibitions. As a photographer myself, I constantly strive to make the print come alive.

I offer a 10% discount for all first-time clients as well as discounts for multiple prints of 1 image. As well, receive an additional 10% discount on your next order if a client you refer places a print order.

Find out more about David Wright Editions.

A selection of my Uganda photographs are featured on the Fine Life Magazine. It’s designed beautifully and definitely worth exploring.

About the magazine:

“Together with a group of friends I decided to create a magazine dedicated to all people who are not stopping in their efforts to make our lives fuller and better. It is dedicated to thoughts and  creations of man’s imagination that encourage us to turn to that which is exceptional and luxurious.  We believe that surrounding ourselves with beauty serves good life and therefore we always look for that beauty in people, places and objects. finelife.pl is a magazine which is created based on the outstanding pictures and comments of the extraordinary people. We want to narrate a story about luxury of a beautiful life, taking inspiration from meetings, talks and recommendations from specialists and authorities of different fields” — Lidia Popiel

In 2009 I spent 2 months in northern Uganda photographing and teaching photography workshops for A River Blue, a school providing psychosocial counseling and intense vocational training in topics like tailoring, agriculture, and arts to vulnerable youth. Upon returning, I spent about 3 months on and off editing the work. When I was at a place where I was relatively satisfied, I applied for the 2009 Conscientios Competition and was selected as 1 of 3 winners.

Shortly thereafter I was approached by my gallery about exhibiting the work for the spring of 2010. We set a date for the exhibition and I began printing. One day I was talking to my friend and photographer Alan Winslow about raising funds and he suggested applying for the Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS) offered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

From NYFA’s website, The SOS are “designed to help individual artists of all disciplines take advantage of unique opportunities that will significantly benefit their work or career development. Literary, media, visual, music and performing artists may request support ranging from $100 to $600 for specific, forthcoming opportunities that are distinct from work in progress.” Note: SOS is only available to New York State artists excluding residents of the five boroughs of New York City.

Each county in New York State is associated with a specific art council, and I received my SOS through the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts (UCCCA). With these funds I was able to lessen the cost of printing the exhibition and traveling to New York for the opening reception. Thank you NYFA for supporting this opportunity.

Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts website.

New York Foundation for the Arts website.

Also, the exhibition has been extended to April 14th so please stop in, see the work, and learn about A River Blue.