Photographers from countries around are the globe are travelling to Uzbekistan to participate in two exhibitions running from Oct. 20 to 27.

The first is the 4 Tashkentale 2008, which is a large-scale forum of masters of modern photographic art. The event takes place in five exhibition halls in the capital city of Tashkent, as well as in the city of Bukhara. There are 83 photographers taking part from 22 countries.

The other event is the Second International Festival of Actual Video and Photo Art, also held in Bukhara.

Representing ‘Team Canada’ are three photographers from southern Ontario, including Oakville’s own Lisa Horvath. She is travelling to the country, which is located in the former Soviet Union, to participate in the two events.

“It has a good reputation all over the world, but unfortunately Canada was not involved much in the past, so hopefully that will change in the future,” she said. “It is very exciting because this is a big way to the international scene and just to have the recognition of the photos is rewarding. As well, to represent Canada there and to get them to recognize how many great photographers we have in Canada is important to me.”

Horvath said she is overwhelmed with being selected for the show, especially since photography is really a hobby for her.

She heard about the competition through renowned Hungarian photographer Janos Eifert, who spent most of his summer with Horvath.

“He asked organizers if anyone was involved from Canada and there wasn’t, so he encouraged me to send my entries,” she said. “I sent 18 pictures in August and they told me I was in.”

Horvath said working with Eifert during the summer expanded her abilities as a photographer.

“This summer was a huge breakthrough for me in learning, especially in how to convey the message I wanted,” she said. “I did a lot of shooting with him this summer, so he knew my work. But he’s also just one person. You still have to do the work.”

She said she especially enjoyed travelling to New Orleans and Mexico with him, where they spent a lot of time taking photos.

“I like to shoot crowds and festivals in interesting places, as well as architecture,” she said. “Janos did not really teach me things, but I was able to see him working and picking his best

images, and here and there he gave me some instruction. It was so hard not to follow him everywhere to watch him work.”

Horvath said Eifert would come home after a photo shoot and immediately download his photos. She’s adopted this practice.

“He would download his photos and look at them and it didn’t matter what time it was or if he was hungry, so I’ve gotten in the habit now of going home, downloading and looking at the photos,” she said. “I can’t even sleep before I look at them.”

Many of the images taken in New Orleans and Mexico were submitted by Horvath for consideration for the two Uzbekistan events. Horvath will have all 18 entries on display in the two exhibitions.

Horvath said she is excited about the international exposure.

“This is one of the most important art events in that region,” she said. “Last year’s event was covered by magazines from places like Paris, Greece and Germany, so there’s going to be press coverage from a lot of countries and it is going to be great exposure.”

The trip itself is also thrilling for Horvath, who has never been to Uzbekistan. She speaks Russian, so she is expecting it will be easy to get around the foreign country.

“I’ve been in Russia, but not that part,” she said. “I haven’t spoken Russian in 10 years, but some of the words are coming back.”

Her agenda is jam-packed with events, such as show openings, press conferences, sightseeing, galas and presentations in both Tashkent and Bukhara. While she is responsible for footing the expensive airfare, the hotel, food and transportation costs associated with the two events are covered.

“It is very costly, and the plane ticket alone is more than $2,000, but I wanted to represent Canada and myself there,” she said. “The fact they are covering my accommodations and travel shows how serious they are.”

The events are high profile, organized by Tashkent House of Photography and The Academy of Art of Uzbekistan. Among the supporters are the Government of Uzbekistan and representatives of the United Nations.

Horvath is a member of the Oakville Camera Club and the Trillium Photographic Club. She said fellow members and local businesses have been very supportive of her participation in the exhibition. Henry’s in Oakville, for example, covered the cost of making 30 inch by 40 inch prints of her 18 photos.

Horvath has a lot on the go after returning from Uzbekistan. She is hosting an exhibition at a Starbucks in Toronto in November, as well entering various photo competitions. She is also developing a presentation on photography as a self-healing tool, which strives to teach people how to express themselves through their pictures, as well as reduce stress by getting behind a camera.

For information on Lisa Horvath, visit her website at www.lisahorvath.com .