All images copyright by the individual photographers

	OZ #28 by D.G. Adams   This spectacular print, imaginatively chosen for the cards and posters used to advertise this excellent exhibition, is a tour de force, a stellar print that wonderfully demonstrates both Dennis’s mastery of the B/W medium, and of his consummate artistic vision. If Ansel were alive today, he would have been truly excited to view these modern landscape masterpieces. Do you think that there is any connection or photographic bonding, due to the fact that Ansel and Dennis have the same surname, namely, Adams? Dennis’s work displayed here is creative art, the result of a totally controlled series of steps from original visualization to the final print. The end results are “Fine Prints”, the pinnacle of achievement, which Ansel described as prints that represent an expressive object of beauty and excellence. In “OZ #28” the lighting is spectacular, resulting in a luminance range (or subject contrast), that gives the print a full range of values and a clear delineation of form and texture. The powerful diagonal lines, which range from deep black fissures to more gentle curves, but equally imposing ones, are complemented splendidly by the gentle curves of the three structures. The large array of tiles stand  out boldly due to the strong directional lighting, whilst the most distant element displays a distinct pattern, reminiscent of a saw-tooth design or lines of stakes descending into darkness. Between these two powerful features is a softer buffer that is embossed with a distinctive graphic design. Spectacularly, in the black sky which is negative space that acts a an artistic foil to the visual print contents, there is a sunburst, whose light radiates out in  ten slender fingers of illumination, much like a stopped -down aperture ring gives when an intense light object is photographed. The final print is extraordinary and quite breathtaking. To the observer, I would hope they would be very aware of the title of this exhibition, namely “Light and Form” coupled with “Time and Space”. I have covered the former impart, but now one should go beyond the illusion of reality and awaken, personal perception and emotional response. This is an exceptional print to try to do this, and let the imagination and neurons run wild.
	Balconies by D.G. Adams   Like all of Dennis’s exquisite images, this incomparable print has an impressive range of tones and luminance values, that are an outstanding tribute to his complete mastery of the total B/W process, from visualization, exposure, negative development, to the final print. All of this has been honed to his perfection over countless hours of experimentation and darkroom fine-tuning, in an environment where the availability of high quality film, paper and chemicals has rapidly diminished, mostly due to the astonishing growth-rate and popularity of digital photography. What has not been lost is the author’s incredible artistic vision, exemplified by the remarkable series of prints in his exhibition. In “Balconies,” his creative use of compelling and powerful diagonals, is preeminent in dramatically characterizing this tenement building in such a highly expressive way. The deliberate camera angle chosen has resulted in the large number of disparate verticals being retained as verticals. The impressive design structure each housing module has, with their large area of black negative space, all unite to give an outstanding print, that has an unsurpassed rhythm and repetitiveness that is simply spectacular. Like the majority of Dennis’s images, there is a specular highlight present in the top left corner, adding a definite mystery element, as well as being a deliberate center of attention. The creative lighting delineates every salient feature of this building, and the subject contrast and print values are exemplary in emphasizing the symmetry and graphic design. It is up to each observer to try and rationalize the mystery or functionality of the specular reflection, and its possible place in this impressive aesthetic print.
	Morning Sky by Lois Trieb   After appreciating the serene B/W images of D. G. Adams, one can step into the East Gallery and look at the breathtaking color prints that fill the room with majesty and grandeur, thanks to the inspiration and artistry of Lois Trieb. As with many exhibitions in the past, I was hard pressed to select a single print to comment on, for all of her images are outstanding. I finally chose “Morning Sky” because it illustrates how the artist has eloquently captured a scenic wonderland at a magical time of day, an exquisite setting that beautifully shows nature in one of its intimate and magnificent moments. The color palette is both luminous and delicate, and the soft morning light adds a glow and vibrancy which unveils every fascinating detail of the terraced springs. Nature has skillfully carved these hydrothermal features over eons of time, impressively building these resplendent travertine formations from the limestone outcrops. The glorious sky, where the very patterns of the expressive cumulous clouds, seem to mirror in time the exquisite tracery of the terraces. In the background, the majestic mountains, with valleys still filled with mantles of the early morning mist, add a glorious backdrop, whilst overlooking this stellar landscape, there is the powerful sentinel of a lifeless tree, possibly a juniper skeleton, whose towering presence is echoed by other similar trees in the distance. The striking shapes of the trunks and branches of the foreground structure add a dramatic eye-catching element, that further illustrates how nature portrays so amazingly, the life and death struggles that have evolved in this ever-changing landscape, all regally captured by Lois, to give us an incomparable masterpiece.
	Snowfall by Leah Koskie   This is a beautifully seen and photographed image, that superbly illustrates the fun and exuberance that the younger generation has in dealing with what to some is an adverse and possibly hostile environment. Here, in the midst of a light snowstorm the young lady is enthusiastically trying to catch and savor snowflakes, as they irregularly float and descend to the ground below. Leah has aesthetically and elegantly captured the woods and buildings in an almost impressionistic manner, giving a delicate yet resplendent backdrop to this lovely winter scene. The young girl is strikingly positioned in the center of the frame, a portrait of beauty, innocence and excitement. Her long hair, gracefully cascading over her winter coat and not tucked into some imaginary woolen hat, is further evidence that she is oblivious to the cold weather and enjoying being at one with nature. Her outstretched arm, with the delicate fingers raised to the sky, together with the wide-open mouth and extended tongue, are enjoying and welcoming the challenge before her, to catch as many snowflakes as possible. This dynamic and priceless moment has been creatively and upliftingly taken and printed by the artist, for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.
	Waterfall, Mt.Athos by Doug Lyttle   Doug’s superb panel of prints is a wonderful tribute to his consummate artistic and photographic prowess. I would love to comment on all of them, but I am restricted to only one, so I selected the Mt.Athos setting, because it is one of the most exquisite waterfall images that I have ever seen, a real stand-out in a genre that is photographically very popular. This print is an awesome image, that brilliantly illustrates how magnificent and resplendent nature can be when captured so creatively by an outstanding artist. The color palette, especially with the sumptuous, expressive gamut of rich green hues is exemplary. The delicate tracery of the water as it cascades and caresses the rock ledges and tumbles through the massive, imposing boulders before flowing into a quiet basin, has been impressively captured by the artist. If we stop there, the result would still be a great print, but the added foreground, a stellar setting in itself, frames the entire waterfall vista to perfection. The regal, moss-covered prodigious rocks in the bottom one-third of the frame have the added attraction of harboring stately fern leaves, whose intricate lacy patterns seem to mirror and be in unison with the cascading water. This idyllic and enchanting image is outstanding and inspiring, certainly one of the finest waterfall pictures that I have ever seen.
	Women in Snow by Julie Oldfield   This is magic, in a somewhat hostile environment, where the artist has given us a truly striking print that has a distinctive atmospheric aura of loneliness, apprehension and mystery. The photographer must be highly complemented for both her artistic vision, and for her fortitude in braving the decidedly inclement weather, to capture this powerful image. I love the combination of so many strong diafonal vectors that sweep us effortlessly into the picture, before disappearing into the ghostly snow-shrouded background. The dynamic railway lines are of course the most compelling diagonals, but on each side of them, there are companion transverse columns that are so important in defining this isolated railroad station scene. To the left, there is a long roof structure, supported by stout pillars, which is unfortunately open to the elements, offering little protection or shelter. On the right, there is an array of poles connected by two overhead lines, together with a fence which stretches about one-third of the way into the picture. These diverse elements are of prime importance in drawing our attention to the oncoming train lights blazing through the gloomy, snow-engulfed scene, a train whose carriages are totally obscured by the wintry conditions. Into this enigmatic, cold and uninviting location, we see through a veil of snowflakes the stark outline of a woman. As we follow her path through the snow, we can’t help noticing the two large bags that she is carrying ones so heavy with contents, that they almost touch the ground. Peering ahead, we can just make out a small step-stool, used to assist people boarding the train, and sadly, there is a complete absence of anyone around, not even railroad personnel. Everything from here on is part of the mystery element that makes this image so enthralling. Obviously we must conjecture whether the train stops at all, or if it does, will the lonely lady become a passenger, etc. etc. We of course hope that she will board the train, and complete our saga of enjoying this outstanding story telling image, lovingly seen and presented.
Peter Marr	We are very grateful to Peter for his thorough review and selection for Peter's Picks. Peter was born in England in 1935 and came to live in the United States in 1968. He worked for the Eastman Kodak Company for 34 years, retiring in 1998. During his employment and continuing into retirement, he has been an enthusiastic photographer. His photography has won him numerous awards throughout Kodak and in International Salons, including 5 George Eastman Medals, which is the top honor awarded to the most outstanding picture in the Annual Kodak International Salon. He has served as a judge in both local and international photographic competitions for the past 20 years, and is a Past president of the Kodak Camera Club and past chairman of many of the Kodak Camera Club organizations. In the past five years or so, he has devoted his photographic skills and interest into nature photography, notably bird photography. His bird photography has been the subject of several one-person exhibits, the most recent being at Ding Darling NWR, in Sanibel, Florida, The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, and at the Webster Public Library in Webster, NY.