Ready for Visitors by Monroe Payne  My first impression of Monroe Payne's image, Ready for Visitors, is a 'Sense of Place.' Monroe has given us a wonderful image full of life and warmth. We are taken behind the scene of perhaps a busy thoroughfare, hidden from view by the peach colored walls of the buildings.The perspective and composition in the image enable us to be transported through the cobbled street to a pup waiting patiently for a visitor or a walk and then beyond to an ornate door. One might ask what's behind the door? Above the door are two windows with the top window catching the reflection a blue sky. Balconies overflowing with flowers and vines add to the serenity of this scene. The angle of the camera emphasizes the leading lines of the buildings on either side of the walkway that guide us into the photograph to the door and two windows at the far end. The door and two windows are off center allowing room for the pup to roam in the lower third of the picture.  The depth of field is spot on. The image looks as if it may have been edited using digital software that a gives a pleasant painterly feel to the image. This Ready for Visitors conveys a peacefulness through the use of color and composition.  Monroe's image projects a quiet hidden place where neighbors can converse over their balconies with the smell of simmering pots of food in the air. The Inherent charm of this place and the impression that people derive from its atmosphere give us a sense of place with an unfolding story.

Gears by David Perlman   As you look at David's collection of images for this show you can't help but notice his whimsical style. There are often "objects" hanging off his frames or water spigots pushing out of the middle of the image.  Gears goes beyond these and offers us a functioning clock with the correct time; six, three dimensional blocks with photographic gear elements on the surface; and a combination lock that actually turns (I tried it).  All of these elements are fixed on a base photograph of several gears.  Your first inclination is that the black frame encompasses B&W elements, but there are also gold, silver, brass and small red and green buttons on the clock.  The more time you spend with this photographic potpourri the more interesting little ingredients you'll find. Typical David!