Amanda Shopa

Film Photography & Fiber Arts

Category: Photography

  • Weeks 57–60 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 57–60 of 209 Weeks

    Week 57 of 209 Weeks: Your only job is to show up. Life will meet you there. Photo Notes: Seoul, South Korea, May 2024 Week 58 of 209 Weeks: “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be…

  • What I’ve Learned from One Year of Consistent Darkroom Work

    What I’ve Learned from One Year of Consistent Darkroom Work

    I consciously stepped away from art making for three months to recuperate. Three months turned into something much longer, and even when I felt ready, I had a difficult time returning to my studio practice. When I went to make my first postcard for the 209 Weeks project, I hadn’t been in the darkroom for…

  • Weeks 53–56 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 53–56 of 209 Weeks

    Week 53 of 209 Weeks: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” –Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Photo Notes: I believe this photo was taken in Iowa in 2022. Week 54 of 209 Weeks: “Eating is so intimate. It’s very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table…

  • Showing Fire in Black and White

    Showing Fire in Black and White

    One of the reasons I love black-and-white photography is because of the decision making that comes into play; one of the frustrating things about black-and-white photography is the decision making that comes into play. Last year I visited Pacem in Terris during their bonfire weekend. Usually visits to Pacem are a very solitary event, but…

  • Minnesota, 1/24/2026

    Minnesota, 1/24/2026

    My friend texts me from out of state. “How are you doing today?” Alex Pretti has been killed by Border Patrol agents. He was helping a stranger. I tap at my phone, unsure of what to say. “We went to a candlelight vigil just down the street, so it was our neighbors. I ran into…

  • Weeks 49–52 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 49–52 of 209 Weeks

    Week 49 of 209 Weeks: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” —Victor Hugo. Photo Notes: This photo was taken at Soudan-Vermilion State Park in October 2025. A large robin was snacking on this very tiny apple near the lakeshore. Because of the robin, I found a long abandoned, spindly apple tree!…

  • Weeks 45–48 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 45–48 of 209 Weeks

    Week 45 of 209 Weeks: “It’s not about being unbreakable. It’s about being soft enough to bend without breaking.” —Yasmin Mogahed Photo Notes: Jogyesa Temple, Seoul, South Korea, Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, May 2024. Week 46 of 209 Weeks: Some days it is what it is, and some days you just have to keep moving forward, and gather and…

  • Weeks 41–44 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 41–44 of 209 Weeks

    Week 41 of 209 Weeks: Existence is resistance. Photo Notes: This photo was taken on the Moose Viewing Trail in Grand Marais, Minnesota, summer 2022. Week 42 of 209 Weeks: “The wound is the place where the light enters you.” —Rumi Photo Notes: This photo was taken at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, South Korea during Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, May…

  • Weeks 37–40 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 37–40 of 209 Weeks

    Week 37 of 209 Weeks: “Shine your light while you got one.” —Dave Matthews Band, “Drunken Soldier” Photo Notes: This photo was taken at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, December 2023. Week 38 of 209 Weeks: “I think I have come to a place where I’m able to feel more comfortable about being honest.” —June Jordan…

  • Weeks 33–36 of 209 Weeks

    Weeks 33–36 of 209 Weeks

    Week 33 of 209 Weeks: “We’re exploring the possibility of building a wall to stem the exodus.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” Goddard said, “only idiots build walls.” –Neal Shusterman, The Toll Photo Notes: Chicago, December 2023 Week 34 of 209 Weeks: “Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is…