Gallery Photographers Image City Feature Articles
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All images copyright by the individual photographers Victoria Falls Pierhenge High Tension #1 This is a superb landscape, imaginatively seen,
photographed and printed, an image that immediately caught my eye among
an impressive series of outstanding prints in Paul’s exhibition. The
artist has creatively printed the immediate foreground black, from which
in a series of light-gray tones, a breathtaking panorama sweeps up
from the valley floor, disappearing into the distant hills. The
cloudless sky above, printed as a mid-gray, but leaving ample separation
so that the peaks and valleys of the hills are wonderfully delineated,
all the way down to the horizon line which is hidden by an ethereal band
of light mist. Against this delightful landscape which nature has so
lovingly constructed, man has spectacularly created an equally
impressive vista. Stretched powerfully from the immediate foreground
right across the valley, are a seemingly endless series of pylons that
carry high voltage transmission lines virtually as far as the eye can
see. This impressive array of leviathans proudly stand tall like an army
of soldiers awaiting the order to march into battle. These ordered
matrices of imposing design elements combine to form their own sweeping
patterns, rivaling that of nature in the background, where the pylons
themselves could almost be a forest of trees. Such is the majesty of the
hills and valleys, the rows of pylons and transmission lines seem to
take on a symbiotic relationship with what nature has so lovingly
constructed. I would be remiss if I did not comment on the lovely
lighting which blends so beautifully throughout this landscape. The
artist has creatively used the magical diffuse lighting together with
his considerable printing prowess, to emphasize the massive pylon
structures in intensive black outlines, whilst inspiringly highlighting
the power lines resplendent curves as they effortlessly sweep between
each of the supports. Paul has skillfully presented us with a
magnificent landscape, one in which nature and man have combined their
incredible talents to reveal a panorama of outstanding power, beauty and
majesty.
Tracks
One of the exercises photographers often use to hone their craft is to
limit themselves to a specific area or a specific tool and study what is
before them seeking photographic elements often overlooked at a casual
glance. Welcome to 96-year-old Katherine Crumley’s world, where she has
been making images from her 7th floor apartment perch for the
past several years. Tracks is
my favorite image from this Crumley collection. There are several strong
photographic elements in the image that appeal to me, but the strongest
is the s-curve created by the road… and reiterated by the tire tracks in
the snow, the fence line to the left of the road and once more by the
guardrail to the right of the road. The dense foliage on the left
contradicts the emptiness of the area to the right holding just a
lamppost and road signage. And, in that cluttered left side we are
surprised by the only element of color in the image – the American flag!
It might seem like an easy thing to just point your camera at an area
and open the shutter, but it is an artistic skill that let’s Katherine
frame a tiny slice of what is in front of her creating a little world
that is so interesting and makes us question what we are looking at.
There is just enough information in the frame and just as importantly, a
lot of information left out of the frame. Congratulations, Katherine.
This is a fine image.
Decomposition #5 Several of Kamil Kozan’s photographs in his
current eight-image exhibit are very worthy of receiving the award of a
Partner Pick. However, his
image titled Decomposition #5
was finally singled out as his most outstanding photograph in his
excellent exhibit. Like all of his images in his show the overall theme
is “decomposing nature under flowing water”.
Canal Street Walk Devin has a wonderful black and white series of
urban settings for our enjoyment. In
Canal Street Walk he captures
the subject at as she finishes crossing the street, slightly in front
and to the left of him. She appears to be on a mission and does not make
eye contact. Looking past her, the lines of the crosswalk draw one’s eye
into the picture and it’s clear that Devin is near Little Chinatown in
New York City. The crosswalk leads us into an arch and some people
stopping at a roadside food ‘hut’ and then further across the other walk
and down the street to the background of the photograph. The buildings
provide a context or backdrop for the subject and the detail of their
height, commercial signs and artwork enhance, but don’t take away from
the pleasant scene If this were printed in color our eyes would
likely go to the bright truck and the paintings and signs on the
buildings as well golden arch of the entrance to “Little Chinatown.”
However, in black and white the woman stands out.
The building and action in the background serve as her frame as
she goes about her business for the day. Thank you, Devin for a very
pleasurable scene.
Fairy Garden #8
Do you believe in Fairies?
You might by viewing Tom McGlynn’s wonderful photos of a fairy
garden. All of these images
are superb, strong images.
Fairy Garden #8 stands out a
bit stronger than the others. First, the use of strong blacks helps set a
strong sensation of mystery.
On first look, is this fairy being born?
Or is there other mischievous going on?
Hard to tell. Also
the strong blacks help set the image within a woodland setting.
Second by getting down low to the subject, Tom creates an
environment easy to believe in.
Mushrooms hold up the house (egg).
The egg (house) is nestled in other leaves, pine needles and
dirt. There is an awareness
that we are secretly being admitted into a private world seen by few
others. There is a strong sense of humor in this image,
as in all the images. As a
rational thinker, I do not believe in Fairies.
Tom, though, creates a body of work that is very pleasant to
view. Who knows; if I ever
begin to believe in the idea of fairies; Tom’s images will be an
excellent place to start. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |