Peter Marr's Picks
	The Finish Line. 2013 by Anthony Ryan What is so inspiring about Anthony’s awesome exhibition, is that every print upliftingly reflects that one is envisaging artistry and nature coalescing in spectacular harmony. What is certainly obvious is that he has a love and passion for nature and the environment, and a tremendous enthusiasm for the subject matter. It is pertinent to point out that he has extensively researched areas of our National and State Parks that offer dramatic photographic opportunities, especially those that are more off the beaten path, and where nature’s magnificence can only be seen and photographed by the true adventurer. The Finish Line print is an inspiring example of what results from what I just stated. A hike of over 3 miles in Arches National Park resulted in the artist capturing this outstanding image, one that truly exemplifies the rugged grandeur and nobility of nature’s design. The natural side lighting highlights every facet and contour of the prodigious rock formations, and reveals a lovely warm palette of colors that results from extensive erosion of the red sandstone. Nature has gracefully constructed 3 different design elements, separated by deep canyons, the central core resembling the extrusion of dough from a mixing machine, which curves and pushes its way towards the distant rock formations, and actually doubles as the hiking trail. In effect these elements create powerful diagonal lines that highlight the dynamic graphic features that are almost always found in nature. There is no ambiguity, for the viewer’s attention is directed to all of the important features. The lighting, besides revealing the lovely range of warm harmonizing hues, upliftingly captures an amazing array of different surface textures and creative designs in the sandstone strata. The three diagonal lines of these massive structures culminate in a breathtaking vista of towering spires and pinnacles, that stand out majestically against a resplendent sky, which together with lovely cloud formations complement this amazing scene. In looking at this inspiring image, for which nature would be justly proud, it is easy to understand that for Anthony, an hopefully all of us, this really is a spiritual experience, an exalted inspiration of how nature dwarfs all mankind. Peter A. Marr
	Winter Sunset, 2015 by Anthony Ryan This is another sublime example of how Anthony’s photography is an expression of his true self, resulting in an inner spiritual response and liberation to the world around him. Here, the forces of nature in relation to land and water beautifully illustrates nature’s life progression. This is meaningful art, and there is visual excitement in capturing the mood, majesty and austere beauty of Chimney Bluffs. One has the impression that the lake’s serenity and calmness is just a welcomed pause so that it can rest under a spectacular sunset, time to admire the dramatic cliff formations, and to reflect on how it has helped to sculpture the “Bluffs.” The water has receded behind its own artistic formations of small frozen ice floes that fill in the foreground, and meanders in a series of gentle curves along the shoreline.  The snow in this accessible area has been traversed by random impressions of footprints and sled tracks, and where the snow has disappeared, there are sandy areas which create fascinating patterns of their own. Behind the starkness of the cliff outlines, the late evening light expressively illuminates the eroded slopes, highlighting earthen structured details that reflect the power of the forces of nature. In many ways, the sky itself mirrors in itself the history of these historic formations. From the bright blue expanse at the left representing the cliffs in their original form eons ago, one follows the white wispy clouds through the darker cloud structures shrouding the setting sun before ending in a more unstructured composition where the sky joins the lake in the far distance. The clouds at the far right probably reflect the condition and appearance of the “Bluffs” today.  There is an overwhelming sense that time has stopped temporarily. One is very aware that the skeletons of trees proudly displayed against the blue sky and along the exposed ridge, together with the dormant vegetation in the foreground and the presence of snow and ice certainly signifies winter is here. There are no more battles to be fought this tranquil evening, the lake and the land have temporarily ended hostilities. What this does mean though, is that the viewer can admire this delightful image, captured so eloquently and creatively by a consummate artist. Peter A. Marr
	Tango by Chip Evra Every one of Chip’s stellar images relate to precious moments in time, in which he has brilliantly and artistically captured scenes that tell emotional and awe-inspiring stories that cover the gamut from humor to sadness. In Tango, there is a gracefulness and passion that is unsurpassed, where all of the elements work harmoniously together. What is especially memorable, is that even in rather modest surroundings, exemplified by the bare wooden floorboards and the highly colored cement block wall, these entertainers are so decisive and passionate about their music and dance, that one could easily imagine that they were performing before a large audience in a club or concert facility. The ambient lighting is virtually shadowless, yet it highlights every important detail, and greatly contributes to the inspiration that one gets in watching and listening to this intimate and joyous stage presentation. The classic pose of the dancers as they perform the tango has been impressively captured by Chip, beautifully illustrating the couple’s passion and their love for the dance and music. Obviously, the two musicians in the background play an important part in this ensemble. The accordion player sits in a very stoic pose, virtually ignoring the dancers so that he can concentrate solely on the music, which no doubt he has played countless times, yet one knows that he is very cognizant of the couple’s every movement. The singer in the background adds her own vocal talents to the group, and it is left to the viewer to fully enjoy the quartet’s interpretation of the tango. Certainly one can imagine the dancer’s fervent and exciting movements, and definitely one can hear the romantic music. I would be remiss if I did not mention of how Chip has creatively captured this uplifting image, and of special note is how the singer’s right arm follows and blends beautifully with the upraised arms of the dancers, just as though the action was choreographed to near perfection.                                                                                                  Peter A. Marr
Partners' Picks
	Shattered by Julie Oldfield The first thing you are aware of in this image is the bullet hole in the window. How could you miss it? Other than some of the raindrops, it’s the only thing sharply in focus including the fissures emanating from the gaping hole.  As in all good photography, this is just the beginning of the story. As we are moved more deeply into the image by the window casing just inside the pane of glass occupied by the “hole” we notice the white building in the background, Although out of focus, it commands our attention in that it occupies significant square inches of the frame. Julie is an accomplished “street” shooter and this is one of her best urban landscapes.  The subject matter is intriguing. The use of selective focus is perfect. Only the “hole” is focused, but there is enough detail in the rest of the image that we start to ask ourselves questions.  The multiple layers within the image give it incredible depth. There is a nice leading line from lower right to upper left creating movement. The tonality of the black and white is spot on. The longer a viewer stands before an image trying to understand it, in many cases, determines its success. I spent quite a bit of time with this one! Congratulations Julie on a really well done urban-scape.
	Seagulls Symmetrical by Paul Drew Drushler Paul’s symmetrical rendering of a ‘flock’ of seagulls on a beach with the background of a cityscape evokes a lazy summer day of lounging and watching life go by.  It portrays an orderly, calm and pleasant world of nature that is desirable, but unreachable given current events. This composite begins with a vision by the artist of the final outcome of his work. Images are taken and, using the computer “darkroom” assimilated together to complete the projected image. This textured panorama is pleasing to the eye with a foreground of the birds, the sea in the middle and a cityscape in the background. To enhance the symmetry, the original image is flipped horizontally for maximum effect. The pastel colors further calm the soul. Excellently conceived and produced, I want to bring in my beach chair and sit and view this scene with a mai-tai and hear the quiet calypso music in the background.
	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.