Gallery Photographers
If you are unable to visit our gallery and would like to purchase photographs from this preview or others in the gallery, please contact the gallery and call 585-271-2540. | Peter Marr's and Partners' Picks of the Show Moods of OntarioJuly 14 - August 9, 2015 Peter
Marr and Gallery Partners have chosen their "Picks of the Show" click here to return to the details of the exhibit
All images copyright by the individual photographers
Print #8
All of the prints
in this exhibition are exceptional, and each one deserves a review, but
as I was limited in the number that I could choose, I finally selected 3
to comment on. I would be remiss if I did not mention that all of the
pieces are superbly printed, matted and framed giving an unmatched
uniformity to the entire exhibition. I must mention that one of the true
benefits of photography (and art), is that each image is frozen in time,
so that everyone can explore them internally in their own time, and I do
hope that many photographers and admirers of photography will revisit
this show to both study and enjoy all of them.
What I really
love and am inspired by in Print #8, is the warm, glowing color palette,
the tranquil and magical atmosphere, and nature’s challenge to
understand the relationship between sky and water. The sky in particular
offers us a superb range of warm pastel colors, harmoniously arranged
within the picture space, where light and color dance together, creating
a lyrical scape filled with quiet emotion and poetic delicacy. The
colorful clouds stretch out like extended fingers across the sky, daring
to elevate themselves upwardly from left to right, in contrast to the
bold horizon line below. Into this quiescent space, a striking flock of
Canada geese slowly descend from right to left in a typical precision
formation. Below the line of geese, the gorgeous warm hues disappear
into a soft haze over the water below. On the latter, nature has given
us a darker and more foreboding lake scenario. The reflected light is
less colorful than the sky above, and the lake surface consists mostly
of dark elongated irregular patterns. Although these patterns are not
reflections of the birds in flight, it is very apparent that nature has
stretched these thin elements to resemble a line of geese flying in a
straight line from left to right. It would be pertinent to ask viewers
what they see reflected in the surface of the lake. This delightful and
exemplary image is both profound and enchanting as it is mysterious.
Peter A. Marr
Print #9
Anyone who has
been fortunate enough to have seen John’s remarkable and insightful B/W
images, will be impressed with his outstanding exhibition of color
prints, which so beautifully captures the incomparable
Moods of Ontario. Water is a
compelling psychological force in human vision, and it is very apparent
that the author has a real enthusiasm for the subject matter. All of
these images were designed by nature, and they have been superbly
captured by John. All of
these prints are so restorative, revealing something in the world larger
than we are. There is music in the language of the water, sky, clouds
and light, inspiring a sacredness that the environment is still alive.
These pictures have a spirit and a soul. Images of affirmation, grace,
artistry and elegance.
Like many of the
prints in this exhibition, #9, has a remarkable sense of mood and
atmosphere, the magic of quiet light, a sense of mystery, and a time for
contemplation. One of the obvious benefits in creating these prints, and
#9 in particular, is that there is little need to manipulate the
perfection that nature provides. In #9, you do not want to add or take
away anything from this idyllic image, particularly with the restricted
hue range, where color exists without violence. The subtle range of
pastel hues effortlessly and importantly, contribute to the entire
lake-scape, which is full of vitality and profoundness. Remarkably, the
strong horizon line is not the real division of sky and water, for the
lake stretches further into the visible distance, creating a softer
viewpoint that adds a mystical graphic echo of the line below. Into this
evocative and inspiring panorama, 4 geese fly in formation just above
the water’s surface, silently and serenely beginning their flight to an
unknown destination. Their presence is duly noted by a small group of
diving ducks, in particular, by the central duck who turns his head to
watch the geese fly by. One is appreciative that nature has added a
center of interest, but that only adds to the sheer enjoyment of viewing
this consummate print, a visionary image of exquisiteness and sereneness
for all to appreciate and enjoy.
Nature can
equally express its wrath and displeasure in either color or monochrome,
but here, in this awesome and dynamic lake-scape, it has chosen almost a
B/W canvas with subtle hints of color to demonstrate its power and
majesty. In John’s dramatic image, the sky and clouds are a tour de
force of energy and intensity, as if they were taunting the water below
to rise up and defend itself. The author has deliberately kept the
horizon line low in the frame, in order that the viewer’s attention will
concentrate on the incredible release of energy in the sky. It must be
stated though, that by no means does the water look weak and passive,
for it has a foreboding darkness of its own, with the threat that the
subdued water movement could at any time, rise up in anger at the
menacing formations above. The impressive cloud formations exhibit both
dark and light areas, where it seems there is a genuine conflict between
the dark grays and the higher values exhibited by the whites and lighter
grays. Both areas contribute to the sheets of rain that blanket the
horizon, but they are separated in the center by a seemingly magical
rain- free section, which may result from a peace accord between the
warring factions. The resplendent natural lighting contributes greatly
to this stellar scene, revealing exquisite detail and tonality changes
in an impeccable manner. In my admiration for this amazing image, the
more I look at it, the more that I think nature is trying to play a
trick on us. For what I clearly see, is a gigantic bird diving down to
the water below, it long beak and piercing eye being very visible. The
outside dark plumage of the bird’s left wing contrasts masterfully with
the much lighter underside of the open right wing. This visualization on
my part, does not detract at all from the fact that Print #17 is an
awe-inspiring image, and is a great tribute to John’s artistic vision
and photographic prowess. The Watchman,
Zion, NP Mt. Ngauruhoe
- Tongariro Crossing, NZ
Behind the Scenes
St. Pete Reflected St. Pete Reflected by Michelle Turner is a
summation or what photographers might label a foundation shot. In this
image are representations of the other photos in her exhibit about St.
Petersburg. As many photographers will do when entering a site, we first
take a general photo to establish where we are and to give context to
subsequent images. As with most windows, this one both reflects and
provides us an insight to the area as well as the photographer’s
conception and representation of the area. As one views St. Pete
Reflected and then the rest of the series, see the angles of the
windows in “Dali Reflection,” the vivid colors, windows and the shapes
of her “Umbrella” series, the contextual positioning of “Yellow, Red,
Blue” and finally the colors of the buildings and sunset.
Even the water is makes an
appearance. Returning to St. Pete Reflected and
looking at it in more detail, it could be that we are viewing the scene
through the window, but the marks on the window indicate that it is
weathered, so it is likely a reflection. However, as with most
reflections, is it an accurate representation of the scene? The images
in each of the five sections flow together well and viewing from left to
right, there are common elements from one section to the next. In
addition, the pallet of the window matches and enhances the pallet of
the reflected image. Yet, taken as a whole, the pieces don’t seem to
match together to form one complete image. Perhaps it is due to the
angle from which Michelle has taken the image. The viewer is left to
speculate whether this is one complete image reflected or a composite of
parts of the scene. At any rate, Michelle has met one objective of
having the viewer linger over her photo and contemplate St. Pete. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |