Image City Photography Gallery
Newsletter
Issue: # 33August 20, 2010

We publish our brief Newsletter during each of our exhibits to pass along information and reviews of the exhibit, photographic tips, selected images and news of other participation opportunities at Image City. We thank you for your interest and we look forward to another great year of fine photographs and events. We hope to see you at each of our 13 shows in 2010.

In This Issue
"Portfolio Showcase 2010"
Peter's Picks from the Current Show
Image City at Memorial Art Gallery M & T Bank Clothesline Art Festival
Image City Critiques -- Next Session Wednesday, September 1 at 7pm
Gary Thompson's Photo Tip
Calendar of Upcoming Events at Image City

Portfolio Showcase 2010

Current Show Runs Through Sunday, September 5

 
Portfolio Showcase CardWith comments from visitors of "Amazing", "Super Job," and "Love It" we are very pleased with the response to our current exhibit, the Porfolio Showcase 2010. From more than 100 submissions to the juried show, the eight selected portfolios are especially exceptional when brought together in the showcase. The selected portfolios are by Peter Bilous, Len Crellin, Nancy Guzauski, Susan C. Larkin, Robyn MacChlerie, Rick Mearns, Todd Moon, and Katherine Nicosia. We are also displaying on a high-resolution display our favorite two images from all of the photograhers' submissions to the competition.
  
Additionally, we have the the work of Patrick Cain and Bill Edwards of Lumiere Photo and R. Glenn Alexander of pixelPreserve. Lumiere Photo is a sponsor of the show and awarded each of the selected photographers a gift certificate. pixelPreserve is also a sponsor; they produced the Portfolio Showcase 2010 books that include all of the photographs in the exhibit. The high quality of the books captures the appeal of the diverse images of the portfolios; the books are available for purchase for $15. pixelPreserve also designed the postcard and posters for the show. 
 
Rounding out the exhibit are Artists-in-Residence Jim Patton and David Perlman and Gallery Partners Daniel P. Crozet, Joel Krenis, Steve Levinson, Gil Maker, Don Menges, Dan Neuberger, Betsy Philips, Gary Thompson, Phyllis Thompson, Sheridan Vincent, and George Wallace.. 
 
For full details of the show  click here -- where you will find a link for our Preview of the Show and also the Peter's Picks link. There is no admission fee to visit Image City.
 
Note September 3 is First Friday Gallery Night, Image City is open until 9pm on First Fridays.
Picks of the Current Show
Peter Marr picks 5 Photographs

As we saw in the last show Peter Marr is an accomplished photographer in his own right with his exhibit of natural bird photographs. He is also an experienced judge and for each of our shows he reviews all of the photographs and picks of his favorites from the photographs by the guest photographers. For each of "Peter's Picks" he writes a review, and we have excerpts from his discussion here in the newsletter. You will want to go to the webpage link to see larger images and Peter's full write-up, or, certainly better, be sure to visit the gallery to see them in person.
 
In introducing the show Peter commented "The portfolios in this exciting display by eight very talented photographers, show a diversity and creative mastery that is both impressive and uplifting."
 
Mary Alice by Nancy GuzauskiPeter chose Mary Alice by Nancy Guzauski commenting "I have long admired Nancy's poignant and haunting photographs of derelict mental institutions. As superb as these pictures were, there was always understandably, the omission of the human element. Thus it was left to the viewer to use their own imagination to listen to the unspoken stories of the subjects, so that at least one could conjecture about life in these buildings. Bravely, Nancy has given us in this portfolio, for each interior shot chosen, the superimposition of a photograph of an actual patient who resided there. In "Mary Alice", we see her ghost-like figure, dressed in a pale-lilac dress, standing, arms crossed, at the right edge of the frame, in the stark setting of what seems to be the sewing room." 
 
Turkey-Tail Mushrooms by Susan C. LarkinIn Susan C. Larkin's photograph Peter commented that the "Intimate details of flora have been lovingly and impressively captured by Susan in her excellent portfolio presentation. We value wild nature in its place, and using consummate artistic skills, a lot of patience, and cutting-edge technology, she has given us eight images that show amazing structural detail, color, shape and form. In Trametes versicolor, Turkey-Tail Mushrooms, it is very apparent that we all carry a sense of wonder at how exciting nature close-ups are, and if we listen carefully, we can surely here the story they have to tell. This group of fungi has interwoven a spectacular range of shapes and textures that impressively play against one another.  The eye is not directed to one particular area, but allowed to wander effortlessly in and around every curve and surface texture."
 
From the Earth Below by Rick MearnsWith Rick Mearn's From the Earth Below, - at left - Peter observed that "Rick's exquisite photographs of some of the hydrothermal features found in Yellowstone National Park are absolutely breathtaking. One definitely has a feeling of the primeval in experiencing terraced springs, steaming fumaroles, boiling hot pools, and views in the caldera basin, that all convince us that this is an environment not made with hands, that seems more fantasy than reality. The untouchability and grandeur of nature at its finest, is majestically displayed in From the Earth Below. The powerful upthrust of the travertine monolith, with its complex structure of flowing lines, curves and terraces, features which are wonderfully delineated by the rich palette of colors emanating from the timeless work of living organisms, algae, bacteria and minerals. Above this active, terraced mound, there is a dramatic sky which embellishes the eeriness and unreality of the image."
 
Garden in the Sky by Todd MoonA photograph by Todd Moon was Peter's next -- "I chose Garden in the Sky to comment further on, mainly because it has the largest expanse of sky, which allows our thought processes to be less affected by boundaries or constrictions. The circular center of this print contains imposing rows of houses and formal gardens, effortlessly revolving around a circular fountain structure, which is itself completely surrounded by orderly pinkish-red bricks. One is constantly aware of the circular motion and symmetry, although each arc segment is sharply broken up by the intrusion of triangular-shaped gardens, all pointing to the central hub. Furthermore, the tall vertical building adds a definite degree of incongruity. What is fascinating is that the large expanse of sky and clouds are also configured in a circular pattern. Everything is in dynamic motion, with the circular fountain as the fulcrum, and the tall building as the lever."
 
The Three of Us by Katherine NicosiaThe last of Peter's Picks is by Katherine Nicosia, "The lovely intimate portraits of "slices of life" take on an added magical dimension, by deliberately altering the SX-70 film during development. The technique is not new, but it has been used exquisitely here to give us poignant, aesthetic images, that any artist from the impressionism period would have been proud to have painted. It is well known that photographers and painters see more, because they are looking for more, and indeed, every time you look at Katherine's prints, you see something different. Her prints effortlessly transport us back to our own childhood years, allowing us to arouse and excite the sub-conscious, so that we can reminisce about times long past.....for in The Three of Us, an equally magical print, the innocence, exuberance and wonderment of youth is beautifully captured, as three young children absorb themselves completely, in exploring the interplay of sand and water. ...... We witness a priceless moment of calm and excitement, of innocence momentarily isolated from this restless, complicated world. Artistically, this is a painting nonpareil, and we are forever grateful for every twist and turn of the stylus that the artist used, to persuade the emulsion to give us this outstanding image.
 
We are again very grateful to Peter Marr's considerable investment of time in the effort to review each of the photographs in our exhibits and to produce the reviews of his picks that we all enjoy!
Image City Photography Gallery at Memorial Art Gallery M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival
Image City Partners and Artist-in Residence at Clothesline
 
On the weekend of September 11 and 12 Image City photographers will be participating for the first time as a group at the Memorial Art Gallery M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival, at 500 University Avenue. Think of it as a festive extension of our gallery. We will be in booth #128 and hope that you can stop in during your visit to this premiere summer event. We look forward to having the opportunity to participate in this festival and to introduce ourselves to both those who are not aware of our art as well as all of our many friends who have visited us over the years at the Gallery. Also, consider a stroll down University Avenue to stop in the Gallery at 722 University Avenue. Our exhibit A Sense of Place featuring Gallery Partners Joel Krenis and Don Menges, will be under way along with the work of Gallery Partners, Artist-in-Residence, and Guest Photographers. Be sure to stop in and say "Hi" at both of our venues on September 11th and 12th. 
Image City Critiques
At the Image City on Wednesday, September 1 at 7pm
 
For the last couple of months, we have had a good turnout for Image City Critiques, a new,  free program we offer at the Gallery to provide participants an opportunity to review their photographs and participate in a friendly, constructive, and positive critique. The sessions are held on the first Wednesday of the month and the next is Wednesday, September 1st from 7:00-9:00 pm. If you would like to join us, please bring 2 or 3 jpg images that are at most 1MB in size and at most 1500 pixels on the longest side. You may also bring them as a print, on a CD, or on a thumb drive. If you have any questions please contact Don Menges (dmenges@rochester.rr.com) or Gil Maker (gmaker@mac.com).  We look forward to meeting with you on September 1st at 7pm.
Gary Thompson's Photo Tip of the Month
Reflected Light in the Southwest 
 
House on Fire by Gary ThompsonWhile photographing in Arizona and Utah during the last few years I have learned to see light differently. My most successful images from the Southwest have been made by using reflected light. The direct light striking desert sandstone is, except for sunrise and sunset conditions, generally far too harsh to make good images. However, when the photographer is able to concentrate on making images of shaded sandstone which has been gently lit by light reflected directly off of another sandstone surface the results can be very dramatic and colorful.
Direct sunlight striking one surface and then being reflected into a shaded area creates the perfect conditions for producing stunning and colorful images. Under these circumstances the light that is recorded on the film or sensor has been reflected twice and therefore colors have been intensified twice. The results can be so colorfully surreal that they may seem unbelievable.
 
My example image entitled House on Fire was photographed using the light reflected off of the brightly lit canyon wall behind me into the totally shaded alcove containing the ruin. My camera recorded the reflected light off of the ruin and the shaded wall area above. When I first approached the ruin, the flame like patterns were not obvious. It initially looked like just another mundane shaded area of rock around a ruin. It was only after studying the subtle lighting that I began to see the patterns and visualize the possibilities. When making images with reflected light be sure to bracket your exposures. My best image for capturing the intensity and color of the flame patterns was under exposed by a half stop. Also, be sure to not include any direct lighting as it will radically blow out areas of the image and be very distracting.
 
Click Here to see a larger image of House on Fire and to review the other photographs in the series and the tips Gary has written.
Calendar
Image City Photography Gallery, 722 University Avenue 
 
September 1, 2010 Image City Critiques begins at 7pm at the Gallery
 
September 3, 2010 First Friday Gallery Night, open until 9pm
 
September 5, 2010 Last Day of Portfolio Showcase 2010
 
September 8, First day of our next exhibit A Sense of Place by Joel Krenis and Don Menges
 
September 11 & 12, Image City will be at Memorial Art Gallery M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival

Image City Photography Gallery   Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11 - 7, Sunday Noon - 4 

 
There is no admission fee to visit Image City Photography Gallery
Contact Information

 Image City Photography Gallery, 722 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607

585.271.2540 
website: www.ImageCityPhotographyGallery.com 
 
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Image City Photography Gallery | 722 University Avenue | Rochester | NY | 14607