Image City Photography Gallery
Newsletter |
Issue: # 89 | February 5, 2015 | |
For a webpage version of the Newsletter Click Here
We publish our Newsletter during each of our exhibits to pass along information and reviews of the exhibit, selected images and news of 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 the 13 shows we produce in 2015.
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The American Southwest - Current Exhibit at Image City
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Current Show Runs Through Sunday, February 22
The current exhibit at Image City is The American Southwest, If you have visited the iconic region you will recognize the unique landscape complete with saddles, mesas, river canyons, and rock formations that are other-worldly. You probably have not had the opportunity to visit as many as you will see in this exhibit by our featured exhibitors -- four Guest Photographers Tom Kredo, Frank Liberti, Sheila Nelson, and Michelle Turner and four Gallery Partners Carl Crumley, Steve Levinson, Gary Thompson, and Phyllis Thompson. Several of the additional photographers who are exhibiting also have southwest themes with their exhibit. If you have not visited the region, you may well want to pack your bags for a trip after you see the show. Or perhaps even better, the artists would enjoy you consideration of purchasing photographs so that you could enjoy the Southwest every day with your home or office décor.
Gil Maker will have an exhibit in the East Gallery and Adrian DeJesus and Larry Eldridge are additional Guest Photographers. We round out the show with Artists-in-Residence and Gallery Partners Dick Bennett, Gil Maker, Don Menges, Dan Neuberger, Jim Patton, David Perlman, Betsy Phillips, John Solberg, and Sheridan Vincent.
We are again participating in First Friday Gallery Night on Friday, February 6 from 6 to 9pm. The exhibit ends on Sunday, February 22. There is no fee to visit Image City and we are accessible to all.
We hope that you will be able to visit us for another fine exhibit of exceptional art. Click here for an online summary of the exhibit as well as a link to the "Preview of the Show Gallery" with some fine examples of what you will see at the show.
Carl Crumley, Gallery Partner, has produced a short video visit posted on YouTube, link here, describing Image City and the show. We want to you to visit to see the photographs in person, but if you are not able to attend, it is the next best opportunity to make a virtual visit.
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Peter's Picks of the Show | |
We are very fortunate to have Peter Marr, photographer, competition judge, and past president of the Kodak Camera Club, select his "picks" by the featured artists in the show after a very careful critical review. We enjoy the added feature he brings to the exhibit by way of an enlightening review of the chosen photo and with his thoughts on what attracted him to it. We publish his comments with the photo in the exhibit and online, as well as in the newsletter. We very much appreciate Peter's contributions. Peter picked five photos from the exhibit and his commentary follows. They are also posted online, click here.
Desolate by Steve Levinson
Steve's inspiring images of expressive details from some of Yellowstone's beautiful and intricate designs are superb and breathtaking. With a true artist's eye, he has isolated and captured spectacular formations that are rich in both detail and an impressive range of saturated colors and imaginative shapes and patterns. I would love to comment further on each of these lovely prints, but I chose Desolate instead, because it is equally enthralling as the others, with the added interest that it has a story to tell on a larger stage. Certainly, nature is for reverence, and this image has both a magical and mysterious presence, as though time has stopped, and this is how we would like to experience the scene forever. Beauty, life and death are all expressed eloquently and poignantly. The vertical format is a visionary touch, and in the print, the viewer is aware of a dramatic backdrop of an impressive mountain panorama, visible under majestic, dark cloud formations. Under this canopy, there is a delicate strata of sugar-coated balconies and fluted terraces of travertine rock, that stretches out sublimely over the landscape. As this sea of limestone formations moves towards the foreground, the observed pastel color hues slowly change to browns and grays, whilst the myriad of cracks, fissures and formations become outlined with geyserite. The resulting surface pattern structures are evidence that the living organisms, algae and bacteria have been killed off, leaving intricate eco-skeletons, which are devoid of the lovely colors of the primary terraces. Further evidence of nature's ever-present destructive forces, is seen in the powerful presence of a lone tree, which although not very large in size, it seems to tower over the whole landscape. Long ago, it was probably an elegant juniper tree, but the water and prolonged acid burn slowly killed it off. Although its foliage is no longer present its elegant multi-trunked shape proudly remains. This is no historical skeleton, for this tree is the epitome of grace and beauty, and its trunks and branches imposingly display an artistic icon for everyone to admire, in realization that life and death are inexorably linked in this vast area renowned for its volcanic and hydrothermal features.
Horseshoe Bend by Frank Liberti
In this outstanding exhibition, The American Southwest, it is so gratifying and exciting to have a superb panel of B/W prints. Ansel himself would have been delighted to have had the chance to view these outstanding images, which were not just captured by Frank, but they were interpreted to create works of art. I was particularly impressed with Horseshoe Bend, certainly one of Arizona's scenic highlights that the author has creatively recorded, resulting in a breathtaking panorama of unsurpassed radiance and majesty. Technically, this print is masterful. The incredible depth of field reveals both sharpness and superb highlight and shadow detail, along with excellent definition and outstanding contrast qualities. There is also an extensive tonal range of grays from the very lightest to the darkest zones, supporting whites and blacks that still contain some subject detail. The overall landscape is spectacular, and it leaves the viewer in awe and wonderment as to how nature has carved out this scenic jewel, and in equal amazement as to how the artist captured the scene so amazingly and with such eloquence and skill. Frank is to be further congratulated for choosing an inspired camera position, where the compelling foreground anchors and directs the leading lines that take the observer's eyes around the canyon walls in a deliberate circular motion. This allows time to admire the intricate details and formation of the sedimentary rock cliffs, before traversing around the peaceful and serene oxbow lake, whilst admiring the intricacies of the massive center rock structure. Furthermore, the artist has positioned the camera so that the central rock feature is off center, so that one can easily go to the top to view the impressive panorama beyond, the whole landscape being held in under a captivating thin layer formation of dark clouds at the very top. Many congratulations for a terrific image, wonderfully seen, photographed and presented.
Peppermint Rock by Gary Thompson
Gary has imaginatively and artistically captured an impressive image of a well-known rock formation, resulting in a print that has both power and majesty as well as a delicacy and beauty that is breathtaking. By choosing an inspired camera position, even in fading light, the author has created an outstanding picture that fully displays the grandeur and nobility of nature's design. The lovely warm color palette is highlighted by the sumptuous swathes of reddish-brown ochres, which are separated by bands of lighter sandstone hues, creating a memorable pattern that boldly reflects the rock's assigned name. Following these colorful swirls the viewer is transported gracefully to the large nose-like peak, which strikingly looks out onto the impressive landscape beyond. In the distance, there is a series of large sandstone formations, beautifully situated under a pale blue sky that encloses a few indistinctive clouds.
In between, the massive Peppermint Rock dominates an arid desert-like valley floor, replete with hardy shrub-like bushes which add a welcomed splash of green color to the overall scene. The more that I admire this uplifting image, the more that I am aware that this was once part of land that was the domain of Native Americans, land that was put there by the Great Spirit, and that it will last forever as long as there is sun and water to nurture both men and animals. With this thought in mind I truly believe that there is a sacredness here that the land is alive, and that these people are forever with the land that is so precious to them. That is why I envisage in this print a Native American woman, towering over the landscape, her brightly colored shawl effortlessly spread out, in order to shelter and protect the cherished land beneath from the ravages of time. It is also pertinent to mention that the viewer is only seeing this landscape as a momentary glimpse in the long stretch of geological time, but what a scene it is, and how fortunate we are to have Gary capture this exquisite image for every observer to admire and marvel at.
Road to the Mittens by Phyllis Thompson
This popular scenic attraction has been inspiringly captured by the artist, resulting in a visionary panoramic print of unsurpassed wonderment. In order to achieve this outstanding result, there must have been extensive communications between self and the environment in order to see the subject matter in a special way as transcending the ordinary. This is a lyrical landscape where the author is fully at one with nature. With careful planning, Phyllis carefully positioned the camera extremely close to the massive rock in the left foreground in order to get a remarkable and unrivalled image of both the foreground and the vast valley beyond. The extensive depth of field used reveals striations and curved lines in the large sandstone rock in intimate detail, as well as revealing textures that play off against one another for a compelling visual treat. What is so magical is that the viewer can easily follow these leading lines and crevices all the way to, and along the unpaved curving road right across the valley floor to the picturesque formations in the distance.
This whole area is sacred to the Navaho Indians, and is known by them as The Land of Standing Rocks, a land to be protected forever, and one that certainly has a fascination and beauty that is awe-inspiring. The ambient illumination is resplendent, creating a wide splash of warm, saturated colors on the rocks and valley floor, all the way to the pastel hues of the light blue sky and fleeting cloud formations. The lovely lighting reveals all of the detail and textures of the foreground sandstone rock, even highlighting the effects of wind erosion on the exposed surface. An important element in this image is the vertical rock on the right-hand side, which is in complete shade and not only frames the picture to perfection; its shape mirrors that of the two prominent formations in the valley. Finally, with so many leading lines to the twin towers, it is interesting that the dotted formations of small shrubs also follow the contours of the winding road, creating an amazing unified vista that is visionary, powerful and truly inspiring.
Three Sisters #1 and #2 by Michelle Turner
I grouped these two dynamic images together to comment further on, because they have such high visual impact, and they illustrate a revered historic and important way of life in "The American Southwest," one that sadly may die out in the face of advanced technology. In both prints, the Three Sisters occupy an important place in the dramatic landscape in the background, powerful structures beautifully photographed against impressive cloud formations. Although the backdrops in both prints are captivating and superbly set the location and habitat, it is the foregrounds in both images that demands most of our attention, and I will devote most of this revue to these inspiring elements. In print #2 the two horses, probably after a long, hard days work share a precious moment of warmth and affection, probably oblivious to the three monarchs in the background or to the ranch structure that separates them. This is a heartfelt and poignant greeting, and just maybe, the left ear of the speckled white horse is uplifted vertically to salute the edifices beyond. It is important to note that the two dominant foreground horses exhibit soft curves and gentle lines in comparison to the three vertical background rocks. In print #1, the viewer is treated to a creative and remarkable print that has been beautifully seen, composed and taken by Michelle. Once again there is an entrancing relationship between a series of two similar elements in the foreground with the "Three Sisters." The magnificent leather saddle with all of its essential components has been beautifully displayed across the top rail of a fence, the rail and the one below it being set on the diagonal, which adds a powerful and dynamic feature in the frame. Everything about the saddle speaks of hard work and countless hours on the backs of the horses seen in the second print, but they also strongly relate to a consummate love of the land, the type of labor involved, and above all, a dedicated pride for the cowboy who has the honor to own and use this impressive saddle. Both of these prints speak volumes about the way of life and the history that ranching has given to this area, made all the more significant by the impressive natural background. These are exquisite images that tell an important story, one that we hope will live on for many generations into the future.
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Partner Picks of the Exhibit | |
In addition to Peter Marr's selections from the show, Gallery Partners have picked three other photos as favorites.
Sunset Thunderstorm by Carl Crumley
Carl Crumley's superb photograph titled Sunset Thunderstorm is the result of a combination of good planning, patience, and perseverance. It is very difficult to capture lightning in landscape photography. Carl skillfully was able to combine three interesting components into one beautiful photograph. The three essentials within this image are the lightning bolts, the warm front lighting on the upper walls of the canyon, and the subtle pink of the background clouds. He has used excellent compositional balance to aesthetically unite these three features. The triangular pattern of the three points of interest is very pleasant to view.
To capture lightning images in landscapes the photographer needs to determine the area that has the highest frequency of lightning and then position his/her tripod to include this lightning area in an interesting position within the scene to be photographed. By studying the frequency of the lightning the photographer can then take educated guesses of where and when the lightning will occur. The photographer then needs to use appropriately long exposures (perhaps 8-20 seconds). Carl probably took many of these time exposures in order to achieve this perfectly timed image. He is to be congratulated on skillfully capturing this very difficult but, oh so beautiful photographic print.
It is easy for a viewer to think that this is a Grand Canyon image. It was, however, actually taken from one of the rims in Canyonlands National Park.
Tumbleweed in Bloom by Larry Eldridge
What a beautiful surprise! Larry has captured a very different view of a plant that we often imagine dried up and rolling across the plains, pushed by an unforgiving wind. He has brought us very close to this desert plant, giving us a look at a tiny part of one small branch. Only by being this "close" can we see and appreciate these gentle blossoms. Only here do we see the menacing presence of the needle-like leaves that seem determined to protect these blooms. Larry has chosen a particular angle showing one blossom in full sun and a second, half in and half out of the sun's direct rays. Because of the clarity of the image, we can see the intricate branching structure of the almost transparent petals. The tight focus on the plant itself has left the background without any structure, leaving only the color to remind us of a desert-like environment. The image gives the impression that we are "in the presence" of these desert beauties. Larry has created a beautiful image, artistically captured and presented. More than that, he has offered us an intimate view of one of the many small treasures that is often lost "blowin' in the wind."
Cobb's Hill #4 by Gil Maker
Gil Maker has produced an excellent portfolio of the wooded areas of Cobb's Hill Park. While several of his photographs are worthy of receiving a Gallery Pick, we have selected Gil's print, titled Cobb's Hill #4 for this coveted award. Gil has found several artistically pleasant patterns within the entropy of the natural areas of Cobb's Hill. In his image titled Cobb's Hill #4 he has recognized and then isolated a vertical stand of trees to photograph. His use of the vertical format enhances the strong vertical lines of the trunks of the trees. The exposure for making the image, combined with Gil's quality printing, showcases the intricate detail of the featured trees. The brightness of these prominent trees enables them to move forward and separate nicely from the darker vegetation of the middle ground. This creates a three dimensional feeling and the sensation of depth for the viewer. Gil, by full framing the print with interesting subject matter, skillfully covers what appears to be a mundane sky. The most prominent and perhaps most interesting tree is aesthetically placed off center. Gil's image is an excellent example of an "intimate landscape" and is a tribute to his ability to recognize, simplify and photograph the essence of a complicated scene.
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State of the Gallery | |
The Image City Partners thank all of our photographer friends, visitors, and patrons for contributing to the success of our recent exhibits; we receive many compliments about the photographic art we exhibit and we have seen a modest increase in sales. Since November we have sold 47 photographs and returned $5,500 to the exhibiting artists for their sales. We have observed that in addition to visitors enjoying the gallery experience of the exhibits, we are seen as a destination to purchase art for individual collections and as photographic gifts. We look forward to 2015 for another year of growth both for our artistic and business endeavors.
We are often asked about how Image City operates its business and perhaps a brief "State of the Gallery" will be of interest. Organized in 2005 we are a corporation with 11 partners, approaching our 10-year anniversary. To pay the operating expenses of the Gallery we rent exhibit space and take a commission from sales from guest and partner sales. The partners work and support each other to schedule and organize 13 exhibits and receptions each year, staff the gallery to assist customers with sales, maintain the physical appearance of the Gallery, and oversee the financial and fiscal well being of the operation.
The Gallery has made numerous investments to upgrade our appearance and we really appreciate the complimentary comments we receive from Gallery visitors. Frequent visitors will notice that within the last couple of years we added carpeting, upgraded the lighting, added an exhaust fan, renovated the entranceway and reconfigured the panels to give added space.
Current officers of the Gallery are Steve Levinson, President, Don Menges, Vice-President, Dick Bennett, Secretary, and Sheridan Vincent, Treasurer. Additional partners are Carl Crumley, Gil Maker, Dan Neuberger, Betsy Phillips, John Solberg, Gary Thompson, and Phyllis Thompson. We are also very fortunate to have two long-time financial and fine-artistic supporters of the Gallery, Artists-in-Residence Jim Patton and David Perlman
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We are certainly fortunate to have a large number of very talented photographers in the area who exhibit at Image City, many for the first time. They are very integral contributors to the success of the exhibits we produce. We estimate that 694 photographers have participated in exhibits since our inception. Our schedule for featured wall exhibitors is nearly complete for 2015 and we are now scheduling into 2016. We do have openings yet on our exhibit panels for upcoming months and encourage interested photographers to act quickly to reserve a place. Our curatorial committee enjoys working with Guest Photographers to consider work for an exhibit, often with coaching on the selection and presentation of the art. We hope all visitors appreciate that all of the exhibiting photographers make considerable investments in the photographs they exhibit as well as the refinement of their photographic skills.
In summary, our business mission describes Image City Photography Gallery's goal -- "In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts where our mission is to create a satisfying exhibition and learning experience for photographers and the art-loving community".
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Calendar of Events | |
Image City Photography Gallery, 722 University Avenue
February 6 The American Southwest First Friday Gallery Night 5 - 9pm February 22 Last day for The American Southwest Exhibit
February 24 Opening Day Peter's Picks: 2013 A Retrospective
February 27 Artists' Reception Peter's Picks: 2013 A Retrospective 5 - 8:30pm
Image City Photography Gallery
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, Noon - 6
Sunday, Noon - 4
There is no admission fee to visit Image City Photography Gallery
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Contact Information | |
Image City Photography Gallery, 722 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
In the Heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |
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