News of the current exhibit and events at Image City
For a webpage version of the newsletter Click Here
Our Newsletter publishes during each of our exhibits to pass along information and reviews of the exhibit, selected images and news of participation opportunities at Image City.  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 2017.
Dan Neuberger: Rule Breaker, Fun Maker   
Current Show Runs Through Sunday, June 11
First Friday Gallery Night, June 2, 5 - 9 pm


Our current exhibit is Dan Neuberger: Rule Breaker, Fun Maker , a retrospective of the photography of Dan Neuberger, Gallery Partner who passed away earlier this year. We know that Dan would have been very pleased at the outpouring of interest and the visits by his friends, appreciating his art in one last exhibit at Image City. Many fond recollections have been shared. As a founding partner of the Gallery, Dan had many opportunities to show us his art. In this exhibit taken from the final inventory of his photographs, the full range of his creative art was evident--going back to early works that have not been seen recently. The exhibit drew the attention of local press articles in The Democrat and Chronicle, The Rochester Business Journal, and City Newspaper that reminded us of his long
association and accomplishments with the Rochester art community. The reception for the exhibit was enthusiastically attended. We thank the sponsors of the reception, Camera Rochester, our local camera club. For many years, Dan was instrumental in the club's operation and where he encouraged countless photographers over the years by his encouragement and example with his photographs in the club competitions. Dan was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award last year by the Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Clubs, acknowledging his many contributions. Sales of Dan's photographs have been brisk and numerous as many have purchased a Neuberger for their art collection from the remaining inventory of his work. The exhibit runs through Sunday, June 11. Additionally, the Gallery will be open until 9pm for the upcoming First Friday Gallery Night on June 2. We will remember Dan's countless contributions to Image City by having renamed our East Gallery, the Neuberger Gallery in his honor.

The additional photographers participating in the exhibit are Steve Tryon, in the Neuberger Gallery, Emily Berkson, Jared Jones, Julie Oldfield, Don Tilton, as well as award-winning photographers from Camera Rochester competitions: Dave Braitsch, Claudia Manchester, Tony Solpietro, Loni Titus, Michelle Turner, and Joan Weetman.
Rounding out the exhibit is work by Gallery Partners and Artists-in-Residence, Dick Bennett, Carl Crumley, Steven Levinson, Gil Maker, Don Menges, Jim Patton, David Perlman, Betsy Phillips, John Solberg, Gary Thompson, Phyllis Thompson and Sheridan Vincent.
 
Plan to attend First Friday Gallery Night on June 2  from 5 to 9 pm. Our receptions are great opportunities to view the art, discuss it with the attending artists, and to invest in their photographsClick Here  to see our webpage for show details and a preview of photographs in the exhibit.    
Portfolio Showcase 2017  
Call for Submissions, Deadline is Sunday, June 4

We are pleased to announce that Image City Photography Gallery in partnership with Kodak Alaris, Kodak, and Rowe Photo, Audio, &  Video are inviting you to submit your portfolio of photographs to one of the premier photography events in the area, the 
 
Portfolio Showcase 2017 a Juried Exhibit
August 8 - September 3, 2017
Reception and Grand Prize Announcement August 11 
Entries Must be Received by June 4 

This is our ninth year for the Portfolio Showcase. We would like to invite your participation and submissions to this juried competition. A few details:
  • Each entrant submits a portfolio of eight images on a CD or online
  • From those submitted, our distinguished judges will select the eight best portfolios. These will be exhibited and offered for sale by the winners at our Portfolio Showcase exhibit in August of 2017.
  • The Gallery Partners will select the Grand Prize Winner from this elite group.
  • Prizes totaling $3,000 will be given to the winners generously offered by our sponsors.
  • We will publish a catalog displaying all eight winning portfolios; the winners will receive a copy and the catalog will be on sale at the gallery.
  • Those not fortunate to be selected are offered a free, optional review of their work. The competition judges will not be a part of these review sessions.
  • A link of our suggestions of what makes a good portfolio is provided on our web site.
Click Here for full details and the downloadable entry form. You can also get a hard copy of the entry form at Image City Photography Gallery or Rowe Photo  . For the first time this year, you may also enter, pay the entry fee, and upload submitted images online.

Our distinguished judges this year are Gunther Cartwright, Professor Emeritus of Photographic Arts and Photojournalism at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Jessica Johnston, Curator of Collections and Assistant Director at Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester. Learn more at the full details link mentioned previously. 
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact   
 
The Gallery Partners and our sponsors look forward to receiving your submission by June 4 at the latest.       
Steve Levinson
Chairman of the Portfolio Showcase 2017

Peter Marr's and Partners' Picks

After reviewing the photographs in the current exhibit Peter Marr selected two of his favorites and has written a commentary on why he made the selections. This is a popular feature of Image City exhibits, visitors enjoy reading Peter's insightful comments while viewing the photos. Partners have also made several additional selections for this show.

 
Boomtown
by Julie OldfieldWhat I really admire in Julie's inspirational images is that they all artistically capture powerful and poignant situations. This gives each viewer the opportunity to awake their inner thoughts and feelings to relate what they see and experience in these creative prints. In Boomtown, the photographer has impressively captured what to some is a depressive scene. Certainly, the strong directional sunlight superbly illuminates the locale revealing every detail to perfection, including that in all of the shadow areas. Looking beyond the beauty of line and color, it is very evident that Julie has eloquently revealed the tragic downfall of a photographic giant, namely, Eastman Kodak. This demise is significantly illustrated by the "K" in the Kodak sign breaking away from the brick wall, and the deterioration of the Kodak logo emblem. Coupled with the obvious age-related decay of the building's facade, compellingly illustrated by the torn and dilapidated mesh covering on the main front door, the whole scene paints a bleak picture of despair and loss. All is not lost, however, and inspiration is offered by the condition of the striking blue newspaper holder, and the condition of the brick work which looks as good as new. Looking further, what is of paramount importance in our quest for hope that Kodak will survive, rests with the majestic sun's rays. The latter's strong diagonal direction bathes the Kodak sign and logo in warm light, creating dramatic shadow patterns. Crucially, these arrays do not disappear and end at the concrete wall below, which they would have done if the photographic company had folded completely. Instead, the shadows, particularly originating from the Kodak sign, end in a series of patterns, and I believe that the clear gaps in the shadows are real pathways for successful growth and opportunity. For myself, I am confident that there is still life and hope for this once-great company, an upward battle to be sure, but one that will definitely take them out of bankruptcy and into a brighter future.   Peter A. Marr


Catch of the Day
by Don Tilton Don's excellent exhibition is a great tribute to his photographic artistry and to his patience and ornithological expertise in capturing memorable images of many different birds. I was torn between reviewing the prints of the Great Egret and the Common Loon capturing their prey, but I settled on the latter mainly because it is a less common subject matter, and the natural surroundings in the print were especial. The photographer's graceful and elegant image of a mature, breeding Common Loon captures the sheer beauty and majesty of nature, whilst also illustrating the more obvious side of catching a fish for survival purposes. The almost monochromatic background provides an impressive setting for this loon portrait a it glides effortlessly across the lake's calm surface. The lovely soft lighting casts a magical glow over the water, and reveals every detail of this magnificent bird, from its black, dagger-like beak to the resplendent black and white horizontal patterns on its body, designs which are repeated as vertical arrays on the base of the neck.   The lovely soft foreground reveals horizontal layers of light blues and browns, culminating in entrancing reflections of the loon's head and prey, as well as diffuse patterns of the bird's body that disappear into the water's wake. One's visual center of focus is the loon's red eye, which electrifyingly stands out against the dark gray head. From the eye one follows the graceful curve of the head, culminating in the long black beak which is tightly holding a small fish. Loons do not spear their prey, although there is a red incision in the fish's neck, which almost matches in color the red eye of the loon. This fishing experience for the loon has been successful, but the more that I admire this outstanding image, the more that I am reminded that nature is at once so sublimely wondrous and beautiful, and yet it can equally be so harsh. As I look longer at this delightful creative print, it is very easy for me to sense that in the background, I can hear the distinctive cry of another Common Loon, possible its mate, patiently awaiting for an evening meal for itself or for its newly born chicks. Peter A. Marr

Serene Reflections
by Emily Berkson Emily has documented the unbelievable landscapes of Chile...which she terms her dream destination. This photograph, Serene Reflections shows just a small detail of her experiences on this trip....focusing on a small microcosm of the stunning visual beauty of this area. It is not always necessary to always use a wide-angle lens to capture the impact that such a place has on the photographer... a mixture of vistas and smaller close up details--mini-landscapes-- often makes for a more effective and impactful presentation. She has captured a single bird in a photographic composition which creatively puts it in the upper right hand corner of the photo. The soft reflections of this bird provide a counterpoint to the sharp rendition of her subject.  This is an unusual and very effective way to present an image....too often things are dead center and the eye does not get a chance to explore the entire "canvas" of the photograph. Emily has you focus first on the bird and then lets your eye travel to the beautiful reflections of the sky and water with their soft pink colors.  This provides to the viewer a visual treat. The photo is beautifully presented, making this an image that should be admired for a long time by the lucky person who buys it and hangs in their home. - A Partners' Pick 
 
Shifting Sand
by Jared Jones  Sand dunes have always been an amazing subject to photograph and Jared has done a great job in capturing this subject in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The foreground of this photograph has an almost leathery texture, looking like a complex sculpture --- but then as the viewer's eyes move around the photograph it is lead to understand that this is a landscape with a traditional sky. The strong shadows are an integral part of the composition, adding to the abstract qualities of this photograph. The time that such a photograph is made is critical, as the strong shadows really depend upon the position of the sun when made. The iconic colors of the southwest coupling with the dramatic shapes really make this image. It is amazing that a powdery substance like sand, which can move by the whims of the desert winds can provide such a solid-appearing structure at any moment in time. - A Partners' Pick 
 
Three in the Garage
by Steve Tryon  Steve is a frequent contributor here at Image City. Using a variety of cameras and techniques, his photography is always unique. For this show he selected twenty photographs; an eclectic mix of his favorite work from the past ten years. Of the twenty, only three are portraits and only one of those is seemingly posed. At first glance Three in the Garage is a simple black and white, with a soft focus, a good amount of negative space and a bright-unknown spot to the right of the photo that draws the eye away from the three girls. Yet, one cannot stop looking at the trio. The photographer does not seem to have posed them. In spite of that, they form a nice triangle. Their expressions are mesmerizing; one seems defiant, another questioning and the third looks at the ground away from the camera. Steve has taken the time to either kneel or sit on the ground, so that his camera is eye level or even a bit lower than the subjects' eyes. This camera angle along with the mature poses that the girls have taken introduces the notion that they are self-aware, independent, confident, and strong willed. This photo is from nine years ago and one wonders what they are doing now. Most likely they are in their last year of high school, entering college or beginning a skilled profession. What tools or other accoutrements have replaced the cars? Are they still in touch with each other? If "Every picture tells a story," Steve has selected a wonderful subject and image that certainly encourages the viewer to spend a few moments of reflection and thought. After all, isn't that what all photographers wish for - a few moments from the viewer to be spent with our work? - A Partners' Pick  

Image City Critique Group  
Next Meeting is June 7 at 6:30pm

The Image City Critique Group meets the first Wednesday of the month, next on  June 7th, beginning at 6:30pm.   Contact Don Menges for details. dmenges@rochester.rr.com.

  Calendar of Events
  Image City Photography Gallery, 722 University Avenue

  June 2 First Friday Gallery Night 5 - 9 pm
  June 4 Final Day for Submission to Portfolio Showcase 2017
  June 7 Image City Critiques 6:30pm
  June 11 Last Day of Dan Neuberger, Rule Breaker, Fun Maker
  June 13 First day of a Photography Exhibit by Clyde Comstock
  
Image City Photography Gallery Hours
 Tuesday - Saturday Noon - 6pm
Sunday Noon - 4pm

There is no admission fee to visit Image City

in the Heart of the Neighborhood of the Arts 
 where our mission is to create a quality exhibition and learning experience for
photographers and the art-loving community.

Image City Photography Gallery | 722 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 | 585.472.2540  info@ImageCityPhotographyGallery.com | www.ImageCityPhotographyGallery.com