We will be investigating and talking about Koudelka’s processes and motivations.
Josef Koudelka is a Czech photographer born in 1938 and naturalized French in 1987. He is one of the great representatives of the humanistic and poetic tradition that dominated European photography of the second half of the 20th century.
“I never accepted any assignment, never photographed for money. I took photographs just for myself”
– Josef Koudelka
In addition to speakers, we will be reviewing members images after the main presentation:
See bottom of this page to see upcoming meeting presenters and who is sharing their images as well as how to signup to show your images.
New Meeting Days: Third Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9:00pm
Wednesday October 15th, 2025
― Hopkins Center for the Arts ―
― 1111 Mainstreet Hopkins, MN 55343 ―
Map/ Parking and directions
The Ongoing Moment meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9:00pm
hosted by Mpls. ― based photographers Richard Ott and Walter Horishnyk
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theongoingmoment
Meetings are free, donations are welcome that goes toward special guest speakers,
snacks and beverages.
Sign up in advance to exhibit your images for a short discussion with the hosts and group attendees
by emailing: walter@horishnyk.com or dickophoto@yahoo.com
The Ongoing Moment is a monthly meeting for PHOTOGRAPHERS / ARTISTS who wish to increase their understanding and improve their practice of their medium. The title refers to the idea that “we share experiences that are formally similar”
We explore past Master photographers and Contemporary photographers, looking at their images and artistic process to help us go forward on our own photographic journey.
Josef Koudelka
Josef Koudelka, a Czech-French photographer, has made significant contributions to the world of photography. He is renowned for his powerful and haunting black-and-white images depicting subjects such as Europe’s itinerant Roma people, the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, and the Black Triangle region. Koudelka joined Magnum Photos in 1970 after leaving Czechoslovakia for political asylum. He won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography in 1992.
Koudelka published over a dozen books of his work, including Gypsies and Exiles. In his photographic practice, he exclusively works on projects that interest him. For over 45 years, he has been traveling and living mostly homeless life while documenting different parts of Europe. His use of panoramic cameras since 1986 was significant in producing compelling compositions that capture a unique sense of drama and expansiveness within each captured image.
As an engineer from the Czech Technical University, Koudelka’s photographic style developed under a humanistic and poetic tradition. The primary focus is on capturing emotion through documentary-style photography rather than technical proficiency. Koudelka’s powerful images continue to inspire young photographers worldwide with their unique aesthetic characteristics that challenge traditional perceptions about documentary photography while remaining within its stylistic confines
Josef Koudelka continues to develop new techniques through innovation such as experimenting with panoramic cameras since 1986 when they were not popular among photographers.
We will also be giving away copies of SHOTS magazines
courtesy of Elizabeth Flinsch I Editor of Shots.
Elizabeth Flinsch will be speaking to us about her images as well as the magazine some time in the near future.
Book Giveaway:
Josef Koudelka: Exiles Hardcover – October 31, 2014
by Josef Koudelka (Author, Photographer), Czesław Miłosz (Contributor)
About Exiles, Cornell Capa once wrote, Koudelka’s unsentimental, stark, brooding, intensely human imagery reflects his own spirit, the very essence of an exile who is at home wherever his wandering body finds haven in the night. In this newly revised and expanded edition of the 1988 classic, which includes ten new images and a new commentary with Robert Delpire, Koudelka’s work once more forms a powerful document of the spiritual and physical state of exile. The sense of private mystery that fills these photographs—mostly taken during Koudelka’s many years of wandering through Europe and Great Britain since leaving his native Czechoslovakia in 1968—speaks of passion and reserve, of his rage to see. Solitary, moving, deeply felt and strangely disturbing, the images in Exiles suggest alienation, disconnection and love. Exiles evokes some of the most compelling and troubling themes of the twentieth century, while resonating with equal force in this current moment of profound migrations and transience.
Members sharing images this month:
You are encouraged to bring prints of your current or past work to share with the group, where you can ask for comments or reviews. We are a safe place to help you grow as artists and encourage creative exploration of all kinds. Please email us before the meetings with how many images you will share and tell us if you will be presenting digital or prints. If digital, bring images on a USB drive with only your images on it. All presenters will need to come 30 minutes before the meeting for preparation time.
email to: walter@horishnyk.com or dickophoto@yahoo.com,
We will post your request below to your chosen month, Thanks
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 ― Jeffrey Kraker: I would like to bring some of my images to show at the October meeting. I am working on a project to document Quincy Ave in NE before the street is torn up by the city and would like to turn that into a book.
I could use some feedback on what I have already and any areas that may need more coverage.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 ― Joanne Thompson:
She will show family photos as photographic subjects. We will have a discussion about using family for our story telling.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 ― Keith Miesel; will bring Joseph Kirkish images and talk about Joseph’s career
(Joseph just had his 100th birthday)
Kirkish’s career as a photographer spans many decades. Beginning in his teens, he did freelance work, first for the Gazette and eventually for college and daily newspapers throughout the region. In addition, he developed the photography program at Camp Nebagamon (Wisconsin), which houses a collection of his work shot there from 1952 to 1967. His fine art photography has been featured in major magazines (including Popular Photography, US Camera, and Modern Photography), and he has exhibited at art galleries, museums, and art fairs in Michigan and beyond, garnering numerous awards
Also Keith Miesel has invited us to have a TOM meeting in his NE MINNEAPOLIS studio in the Spring of 2026, date TBA!
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 ― Walter and Richard will be showing their wor
Monday, October 21st, 2024,: Main Topic/Presenter : Xavier Tavera Castro
Reviewing images of: Peter Boulay and Dan Tran
Monday, November 18th, 2024: Main Topic/Presenter : Steve Ozone
Reviewing images of: Dave Heinz and Julian
Monday, December 16th, 2024: Main Topic/Presenter : Nicole Houff
Reviewing images of: Dave Heinz
Monday, January 20th,2025: An in depth review of Richard Avedon (1923-2004)
Monday, February 17th,2025: Images by Howard M. Christopherson
Monday, March 17th, 2025: Mark Peterson & Collages made by meeting participants
Monday, April 21st, 2025: Regina M Flanagan will be showing her recent environmental portrait series about the participants in Rural Urban FLOW
Monday, May 19th ― Presenter: Carl Corey will show images and talk about his photography process. Monday, June 16th ― Brett Kallusky will present his work and insight about being a photographer and photography educator.
English