A Sit Down with Chicago-Based Photographer Monika Thorpe.

Monika at the Capture My Chicago book
 launch party with Steve Baskerville of
Channel 2 News

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Monika Thorpe and her husband Alex for a talk about photography.  Monika will be participating in an exhibit here in Chicago at the Beverly Arts Center, "3rd Annual Evolving Artists Exhibition", with 35 other artists. The exhibit runs from December 27, 2010 through January 30, 2011 at the arts center, 2407 W. 111th Street.  An opening reception will be held there on January 8 from 7-9pm, with an awards ceremony at 8.  Should be a good time.  If you're in the area, come on out and join us!

We talked a little about the exhibit, as well as some other aspects of Monika's photography.  Here is the gist of our discussion.

1.    How did you get involved with the Evolving Artists exhibition?

I searched on the http://www.artdeadlines.com/ site and found an opportunity to submit images for this competition/exhibition.  Once I did, I was accepted.

2.    You’ve participated in at least one other exhibition that I know of.  Tell me about that and others you may have been involved in.

I have and will be involved in 3 exhibitions at the Mellwood Art Center in Louisville, KY; the SEE - Joining Community and Arts Generations Exhibit (June 18 - July 30, 2010); the KAS Gallery - Black & White Exhibit (October 29 - December 10, 2010); and the upcoming KAS Gallery - National All Mediums Art Show (February 4 - March 18, 2011).  I also showed at the Wallace Studios Open House back in April 2010.

3.    How did you get started in photography?

It started about 3 years ago during a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Although I had taken photos before, it was my first time seriously focusing on shooting.  I actually framed a few of the shots from there.  I just wanted to get better, so I kept at it.

4.    What’s your favorite photographic genre?

People consider me rather eclectic; I cover a wide range of genres.  I have been asked to do engagement photos, senior photos…

5.    What about around town?  What's your favorite local spot to shoot?

The lakefront; the skyline and the water are some of my favorite subject to shoot.  Coming from a totally different places, from Poland and the suburbs of Chicago, I fell in love with Chicago’s lakefront.

6.    You have your own website, monikathorpe.com.  Do you use it primarily to showcase your talents or promote a business?

Through my website, I want to be able to connect with other photographers.  A medium for collaboration, sharing, learning…that’s what I want to promote through the website.  It’s all about growing as a photographer, learning from others through feedback, helping each other out.  I’m learning from the critiquing – it opens up new ways of looking at things that I may not have thought about before.

7.    Where do you want to take your photography?

Not sure at this point.  I would like to own my own studio.

8.    By the way, congratulations once again for being selected for the Capture My Chicago book, and for having some of your images selected for the television version.  Had you been published before?

Capture My Chicago was my first real publication, although some of my work has been published in a calendar.

9.    What equipment do you use?  What don’t you have that you MUST have?

All Canon.  I’m using a standard 135 mm lens, a 50 mm prime lens, and a rarely used 300 mm lens, all on a 50D body. And I’m playing with the film camera now too!  I'm currently in need of a good wide angle lens.   

10.  What’s your dream shoot?  Why?

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  I’ve always wanted to shoot mountains, but it never worked out.

11.  Do you belong to any other photo organizations besides the Chicagoland and Northeastern Illinois Photo Meetup Group?

Chicago Photoshop

12.  Whose photography exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago would you absolutely NOT miss?

I know everybody says this, but Ansel Adams would be that photographer I would not miss.

Feel free to contact Monika through her website, www.monikathorpe.com, and maybe ask her questions of your own.  And while you're there, check out some of her work.  Like she said, she loves to hear comments and critiques - it's the best way to grow as a photographer!

Right: Monika leading the Montrose Harbor group meetup.