Selfies. Filters. Stories. Snaps. Photography as a medium has undergone quite the transformation in its nearly-200-year existence. Photography forefather Louis Daguerre probably never dreamed that citizens of modern society would carry pictures in an invisible medium within tiny glass boxes we keep in our pockets, but, here we are.

FotoFocus Biennial returns this October, with central programming October 6 – 9 at participating venues around the city. This year, FotoFocus examines the theme of photography as an “undocument” – that is, exploring photography’s natural tendency to distort and reshape the visible world. Think about it: how accurately do the photographs you take on a daily basis portray the actual moment they are meant to capture? (I don’t know about you guys but I am 100% guilty of retaking “carefree” selfies if my hair looks too carefree OR not carefree enough. This is all your fault, Louis!)

With more than 60 exhibitions featured in participating local museums, galleries, universities and community organizations, in addition to the eight major centerpiece exhibits curated by FotoFocus artistic director Kevin Moore, there are a LOT of pictures to be seen. We’ve pored over the options and compiled the CincyArtsGuide Top 5 FotoFocus Picks. You should absolutely check out ALL of them – or, at least as many as you can.

Alice in OTR: Visions of the Fantastical
October 1 – October 31
Robin Imaging
Closing Reception: October 28

This exhibition features photos by Cincinnatians that capture the wonderland that is the reality of everyday life, all taken in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Instagram communities @CincyBaton and @IGersCincinnati took part in the conception of this exhibit. You can get involved, too – there’s a community photo-walk October 15!

SHINE 
October 6 – October 15
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County – Main Library

SHINE features tons of gorgeous sunset photos taken by Cincinnatians during the month of August, tagged with #cityshine2016. ArtWorks and local artist C. Jacqueline Wood teamed up to transform the images into an installation projected next door to the library.

#Selfiemonster  
September 30 – October 28
Frameshop

Every selfie you’ve ever taken finds its metaphorical final resting place in the #selfiemonster. Take a last selfie at Frameshop’s interactive exhibit and leave it behind as an offering to the selfie gods.

The Peeled Eye  
September 17 – November 19
Wave Pool Gallery

The Peeled Eye (as in, keep your eyes peeled) investigates our culture of constant surveillance, using images taken from monitoring (Big Brother vibes, anyone?) services and turning them into artwork that reflects this world of endless visibility.

Roe Etheridge: Nearest Neighbor
October 7 2016 – March 12, 2017
Contemporary Arts Center

Nearest Neighbor examines the intertwined qualities of our lives – the relationship between personal, professional and commercial photography transcends the medium and says a lot about what comprises the whole of a person’s, well, personage.

FotoFocus Biennial special programming takes place October 6 – 9. Many exhibits run through the end of the year. Click here for a full rundown of exhibits and events.

This preview was compiled by Leyla Shokoohe, the communications coordinator for ArtsWave. If there’s something that should be on CincyArtsGuide, let her know! leyla.shokoohe@theartswave.org.