NOVEMBER 23, 2006

THE CADRE @ 3

LOCAL,

Photographer talks about life’s transitions

Stacey Murray Advertising Manager

Capturing life at turning-points is the focus of a photo exhibition on display at the University of Prince Edward Island, says a local photographer.

Alanna Jankov’s_— exhibit Transitions is permanently on display in the hallway behind the Write Place in the Robertson Library. The exhibit consists of 21 photographs about the changes people face throughout their lives — beginnings and endings.

It was dedicated to her grandfather who had to face life without his wife after 62 years of marriage.

One of the most important parts of the collection is the photograph of Jankov’s grandfather at her grandmother’s funeral, as it shows him having a chance to say goodbye.

Another photograph in the exhibit shows a woman holding her baby in the air. In the description below the photo, it tells the story of her divorce, which took place just prior to the birth of her child.

Even with some of the exhibit’s harder moments, Jankov said there is a balance between happy and sad transitions.

She said some of her easier subjects in the exhibit were happy events like graduations and weddings.

“The moment they were in was

‘such a happy time.”

Jankov has been taking photos since the age of eight when she received her first camera, a Kodak Instamatic. It was given to her by her aunt as a bribe to get Jankov to stop sucking her middle and index fingers.

“If I gave it up, she’d give me anything I wanted.”

Graduating from the Photography program at Holland College in 1988, she spent four years as an apprentice before opening her own business, Alanna’s Photography.

Jankov is a self-described people person, and said she’s always been drawn to the human elements in photography. This trait helped her when looking for subjects for various

exhibits.

Alanna has been a photographer since the age of eight. She opened her own business in 1992 and opened a studio in April, 2006.

She doesn’t have a favourite exhibit, because she’s always chasing the next idea instead of reflecting on her past ones.

“It seems to be the one you haven’t done yet.”

Other exhibits by Alanna Jankov include 2:00 — 7:00: while you sleep — on display at city hall, corner of Kent and Queen Streets. She also has an exhibit at Holland College on Kent Street entitled Heroes: Common people, uncommon acts, located in the dining hall. Samples of her photography are online at www.alannasphoto.ca

Photo: Alanna Jankov

“TJ have an absolute fascination

Norma’s husband ended their marriage two weeks before their daughter was born. She With what makes people tick.”

found herself both celebrating the beginning of a new relationship and mourning the = Putting out an exhibit is like end of an old one. giving birth — because it takes around

nine months before something is born, she said.

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