Gallery Partners
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 Off the Beaten Path November 3 to November 29, 2015 Peter
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All images copyright by the individual photographers
Reflections in Red What makes this print so memorable, is that all of
the trees have grown up at the edge of a small lake, separated by a
small line of rocks at the water’s edge. What is so spectacular, is that
the artist has captured the image at a time when the lake surface is at
its most tranquil, creating virtually a mirror-image of the trees in the
water. The result is an idyllic and serene autumnal masterpiece.
Amazingly, the reflective image is slightly softer in sharpness, but the
colors take on an increased saturation and added brilliance to the color
display. There is also an added benefit, in that the bright background
of the top of the frame is more subdued in the reflection, further
helping the overall image. What is interesting, and may be overlooked by
some viewers, is that the line of rocks at the water’s edge are in
places reprised by some rocks visible on the water’s surface. These
rocks take on the appearance of fish swimming close to the surface, who
occasionally come up to enjoy the autumnal air, and of course to view
this exceptional color display, as every viewer I am sure will. Nature never ceases to amaze us in putting on a
spectacular display throughout the year, none more awe-inspiring than
this amazing forest scene so creatively captured by the author. The
artist is a master observer and interpreter of scenic beauty, and in
Forest Bloom, he has revealed to us the sheer perfection of
nature’s design, and given us a wonderful print that is a subject for
contemplation and a source of inspiration. Nature is for reverence, and here, where beauty and
life are expressed eloquently, there is a sacredness that the
environment is still alive. The soft lighting is inspiring and magical,
accentuating every detail, and revealing the exquisite hues of the
azaleas. The sublime pink and white varieties of these beautiful plants
lights up the foreground with a captivating display of design and color.
The trees, standing true and upright, represent a sense of splendor as
well as strength, and they are positioned in the frame admirably, both
to shelter the azalea shrubs from the sun’s direct rays, and to leave a
gap for the viewer to admire the background scene. The latter is
delightfully revealed as a stately large willow tree, in full spring
foliage, and being softer in focus it creates a dynamic presence. Beyond
the willow tree, the background fades delightfully to a mist-filled
expanse. In such august surroundings, I would be remiss if I did not
point out an imposing red Japanese maple in the right center of the
print. It will never grow as large as the other trees, but its colorful
leaves will be clearly visible into late fall, and it will help to
continue beautifying this area when the azaleas lose their flowers,
although thankfully they will retain their wonderful form and shiny
green leaves. I hope that everyone who has the opportunity to
visit this photographic image gallery will spend time to admire and
enjoy this stellar print. Lichen Patterns This memorable and peerless image has majesty,
serenity and beauty that is simply awesome All of the important elements
in this print work harmoniously together, creating a strong visual
statement. The framing of the waterfall by the two trees at the right is
creative and masterly. These trees are not pictorial giants, nor are the
twisted branches things of beauty, but nature has deliberately planted
them so that they complement the entire scene, framing, but not
overpowering the falls. I love the color harmony that permeates
throughout the entire print. The lovely soft lighting brings out the golden hues
of the leaves to perfection, together with the light browns and pale
reds. These delicate colors are further enhanced as they are offset
against deep greens, the brown shades displayed by the trees, and the
darker hues of the rocks in the pool basin. The diffuse illumination
inspiringly reveals every feature of the massive rock cliff, including
structural formations, a variety of colors, and a grandeur that is
awe-inspiring. All of this impressive detail is visible because the
waterfall is in a more quiescent mood regarding water flow. The latter
emerges from a distant glen, descending majestically in a series of
cascades, whose silky strands allow the viewer to observe the full
beauty of the rock formations. The artist has cleverly and intuitively
used a shutter speed that highlights the motion and softness of the
water to create both a visionary effect, that also reveals the
remarkable details and presence of the rocks themselves. This is an
inspiring and creative image for every viewer to enjoy and contemplate
on.
The title of Robert’s image not only describes the location where the
image was taken and the absolute clarity of the water in the stream, but
it also characterizes Robert’s ability to technically achieve a very
clear and sharp image. This image is well balanced with the stream and
rocks in the foreground leading our eye to the group of pines that
eventually lead us to the wonderful blue skies that are detailed with
light clouds. Additionally the color scheme is perfect with the orangey
browns in the foreground leading to the green pines and eventually to
the blue sky. Finally, the orientation as a vertical image is exactly
right for this scene with the tall pines stretching out the frame. This
is a well-composed image, which was taken with careful technical
expertise. Good work!
Ford Street Bridge On the surface, it’s an image of a bridge that many
of us know, either from crossing it by car or by walking -- perhaps
stopping to take a picture of the distant Rochester skyline. But this
image is so much more. It’s dusk,
a hint of day still clinging to the clouds. The streetlights reveal the
riveted, iron arches that stand as one side of the corridor ahead.
The narrow reflections on the iron railing border the faintly
illuminated walkway on the other side.
From our vantage point, the walkway begins in the dark at our
feet, and becomes more visible as it stretches out under the
streetlights, inviting us ahead.
The glow from the lights seems to have physical substance reaching out,
asking to be touched. All of these elements find their place in the
excellent composition. There is
movement in the arches and the vertical triangular structures reaching
up to support them. The rivets on the arches, dark against the reflected
light, balance the white lights against the dark background on the
right. Both the geometry in the
image and the light bring us across the bridge.
Bird in the Bush Angela is an excellent
photographer of landscapes and nature, especially of birds. She has a
few favorite sites where she photographs all sorts of flora and fauna.
This photo of a
blue-gray gnatcatcher on an early
spring day, is artfully framed and mounted. Angela uses an element of
texture in the background for a feeling of timelessness. The light is
just to the left and in back of Angela slightly brushing the plumage and
creating detail in the tree branches nearest to the bluebird thereby
focusing the eye to a power position of the subject, one third in from
the left and one third up from the bottom. The wide aperture setting
that allows the background to go out of focus also attracts the
attention of the viewer to the blue-gray gnatcatcher. The buds on the
branches clearly signal early spring and the bird is likely looking for
food or materials with which to begin a nest. The diagonal branches on
the right of the photo and the new growth assist in drawing the eye back
to the bird. Untitled Hank has not fallen
into this trap, but instead uses creative extreme post-processing
techniques in a very artistic way , allowing
for the subject to still retain its simplicity while providing
a photograph that leaves the world of traditional photography and
moves the viewer into another dimension of beauty. This is somewhat
analogous to paintings which run the gamut from “realism” to totally
abstract representation of an identified subject. Hank continues a trend of several other talented
photographers who have exhibited in Image City Photography Gallery, who
start with one or more digital images and produce a photograph that goes
beyond the way the subject or subjects initially appeared in the camera
viewfinder. Photographic educators have often stated that
showing something simple from everyday life or even exotic locations,
which may be often photographed by many, in a way that has not been done
before is a major accomplishment. Hank has evolved a style presenting
strong and beautiful images that follow in this direction | ||||||||||||||||||||
Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |