Gallery Photographers
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Partners' Picks of the Show Of Land and Sky John Solberg October 5 - October 31, 2021
Gallery
Partners have chosen our "Picks of the Show" All images copyright by the individual photographers
Broadway Theatre, Buffalo NY
Dave returns as a Visiting Artist, and in his exhibit this month he
focuses on Architecture, especially gathering places. Many of his
photographs capture buildings in good shape; however, Broadway
Theatre is different as it is of a building in total disrepair.
There is still a beauty in this theatre, even though the walls are
exposed, the seats ripped, and the ceiling almost destroyed. The
vantage place he has chosen to photograph from is on the balcony,
which gives an excellent view of the ruins.
The focus is on the stage, which is what theatres are designed for.
However, in this theatre there is large white and dark graffiti, the
tag of several intruders to the building. This
reinforces the state of disrepair of the theatre, which was once a
beautiful auditorium.
Dave uses a color palate which reinforces the impressions of the
building. All are muted colors, reflecting the decay of the
premises.
The composition of the photo is very well done; the curve of the
balcony tends to frame the theatre along the bottom and brings your
eye into the depths of the building.
One can only hope that someday, with a lot of money, this theatre
can be reclaimed and brought back to use.
.
Residents of the Work Bench
Jim is a long-time exhibitor at Image City and his work continues to
be of high quality with various themes.
Residents of the Work Bench
is a “classical” still life photograph, however instead of capturing
traditional still life images such as flowers, food and many of the
other items that are the staple of still life compositions.
Jim has focused on the some of the objects that could be found on a
work bench. In addition, he uses dried flowers and roughhewn
wood to fill the frame and give it both depth and balance.
His use of colors is excellent, as well as the care in which the
objects have been arranged. The left side is anchored by the
flowerpot, and then the viewer’s eye moves to the objects on the
gable. The wood provides a dramatic background as a natural
counter to the hard edges and mechanical look of the other objects
on the bench.
Overall, a beautifully composed photograph.
Sunflower & Thistle
Spring Dogwood Interlude
Many of us as children played with a kaleidoscope, multiplying parts
of an image into a mandala-like form. It takes what is
straightforward and understandable and converts it into a beautiful
pattern.
Jane has taken this approach using her skills in post processing to
photographically recreate this approach
From a distance the structure and colors in the image draw you in
toward the center. The green outer edges frame the mandala, and then
the yellow band invites you into the lighter circle, filled with
structures, and finally to the center structure of symmetry.
But when you move closer, the wonderful individual elements appear,
and the mandala reveals a living world. A delicate and intricate
world. The center becomes a beautiful and welcoming formal garden.
At first one can see the two-fold symmetry, right and left
reflections and top and bottom reflections. On closer examination,
each of the four “corner squares” is itself a reflection across the
diagonal. And this structure creates a flow toward the center.
This photograph is one which discloses ever increasing levels of its
beauty as the viewer spends time appreciating this image.
Heart Strung
Joseph’s photograph is a fascinating contrast between two
structures…the simple stone in the upper part of the photograph
against the delicate patterns in the lower half of the image. His
clever title gives you a hint (if you need it) of the heart shaped
folds…. providing a continuous line of hearts in this image.
These contrasts include pattern, curvature vs angular, smooth vs
rough and refined vs solid divides the photo into two sections,
almost a diptych. The upward thrust of the “heart” forms leads the
viewer’s eye upwards and then stops at the solid wall of the stones
and the concrete holding them together.
One might question the “how” and “what” kinds of questions, but it
is best to simply not delve into these questions but simply enjoy
this composition. The abstract structure of this photograph is its
power….not a soaring landscape but a “micro” portion of one. Joseph
has focused on a strong composition, employing a subject that many
might just walk on by.’’
Of Land & Sky #7, Groveland Hill, NY
Our everyday
lives are full of noise. Beside the actual sounds, there is the
news, politics, family issues, our careers, and our own personal
problems. Occasionally, and for no reason at all, we have a sense of
clarity, a moment of quiet mindfulness.
There doesn’t seem to be a reason or trigger that causes
this, but we enjoy the moment, nevertheless.
John, with
his presentation Of Land & Sky, has provided an opportunity
to experience this feeling by standing in front of any of his
panoramas and imagine yourself being in that place. It’s quiet.
There is a slight breeze brushing against your face. The cool air
easily slides into your lungs.
As you imagine the history of this place, “planting, growing,
and harvesting,” everything else falls away and you’re all alone. It
feels good!
I chose Of
Land & Sky #7 to critique, but I could have picked any one of
these photos as they are all carefully selected by John to tell the
story of this land and his personal connection to it.
#7 contains many of the elements I enjoy in a photograph.
I enjoy B&W photographs because they tell the story using
tonality, contrast, texture, and lines.
Notice how the lines of the plowed field direct us to the
lone large tree off center in the field. It’s been there for
generations, observing the constant turnover in this field.
You are forced to consider why the farmers left this single
sentinel in the field. I
enjoy how the soft unstructured clouds contradict the rough
intentional furrows of the field. This image is both simple and as
complicated as your mind allows you to experience. This photograph
allows us to find that moment of mindfulness.
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Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |