Gallery Photographers Image City Feature Articles
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 Community January 23 - February 18, 2018 Gil Maker, Steve Malloy Desormeaux 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
Community #1 and #2
Gil’s refreshing,
insightful and inspiring images were taken in the summer of 2017 when he
visited 2 immigration communities, one in Bath and one in Portland, both
cities in the State of Maine. In
Community #1 and #2, both photographs are comprised of 2 prints, and
it is obvious that the subjects were not posed, but they were certainly
asked if they if not object to be photographed. Immigrants whose
ethnicity differs from that of the host state or country all have mixed
feelings of happiness and concern. It seems to me that the people in
Gil’s images have a refreshing and positive advantage in that they went
to live in immigrant communities, where these minority groups retained
the customs, languages and social views that they were familiar with.
Certainly, Gil had great respect for the people in his images, and
definitely there was no impertinent inquiry into their being. These are
statements that manifest his aesthetic and humanistic concern. In
Community #1, I love the relaxed atmosphere of the print, and the
contrast between the elated and happy man at the right with the rather
perplexed man in the foreground. The second image in this print has both
happiness and comedic behavior rolled into one. The man whose attire is
somewhat bizarre shows his affection for the lady in a somewhat funny
and strange way, sort of like putting on a show for the photographer. In
Community #2, it is uplifting
to see the genuine elation and exuberance of the two men sitting on the
concrete door step, displaying a devoted friendship that one hopes will
last a long time. The accompanying print also exudes devotion and
affection, but in a more reserved way as though it was between a mother
and her daughter. Gil’s poignant images clearly show that immigration is
a great life-changing experience, particularly if one moves into a
community where the ethnic culture is very familiar and welcoming to
everyone.
Peter Marr
by Steve Malloy Desormeaux
4-H is an outstanding organization, and Steve’s delightful and uplifting
portraits beautifully illustrate the love and affection that young
people have for animals, one small but important part in their overall
goal to be partners and leaders in their community. From the images that
were taken at various County Fairs, I was particularly taken with the
study of 2 young 4-H participants interacting with a sheep whose fleece
had recently been sheared off. The end result was an endearing triangle
of joy and elation that would melt the heart of any observer who was
lucky enough to view this print. The girl and the boy in this image
emanate a warmth and tenderness that is both genuine an inspiring. There
is both happiness and compassion in the young girl’s face as she watches
the boy’s hand rub the sheep’s head. The compassion is directed at the
sheep, for how it must feel the loss of its coat, probably being shorn
for the first time. What is especially noteworthy in this photograph is
that it was not posed, so that what one sees is the naturalness of the
occasion, resulting in an insightful situation of companionship and
spirited bonding between the girl and the boy with themselves and the
sheep. It is an imaginative learning experience for these two young
people, and hopefully it will give them a good foundation in their quest
to honor the 4-H pledges for an organization that contributes so much to
their community.
Peter Marr
The Negotiation
Don’s exceptional
B/W images superbly unravel the fabric of human experience, showing us
the community as he sees it, and invites the active engagement of the
discriminating viewer. He has great respect for his subjects in the
sense of an intense observer and not an intruder.
Peter Marr
People of Chiapas #7
John’s remarkable images of the Chiapas community is a great and
passionate tribute to these wonderful indigenous people who live in the
rural highlands of Chiapas. It is interesting to learn from his short
biography that after armed revolt, constitutional reforms in 2001
successfully allowed these proud people to retain and preserve their
cultural and spiritual heritage. Of all of John’s prints, I particularly
admired his photograph of 7 delightful children, expressing true
community spirit with their arms around each other as though they were
one. Simply dressed in well-worn clothing, they obviously were very
willing to be photographed, probably pleased and honored as they
represented the next generation that would carry on the culture and
values of their parents and the community. These children were born and
raised in this area, so there was a strong bond between them, and at
this time they have limited knowledge of the outside world. At this
stage in their life they learned exclusively from their parents and
elders and from themselves. There seems to be a dogged determination in
all of their faces, the only hint of surprise and excitement coming from
the little girl at the far right. Her curiosity is in marked contrast to
the girl next to her whose demeanor seems to show concern as to what is
going on here. The 5 boys may have been taken a bit by surprise when
asked to get together for a photograph although they certainly willingly
participated. Two of them had been playing what is probably a popular
pastime, spinning a small circular ring across a string that was tied to
their thumbs. This operation although simplistic could be an important
learning tool for such things as patience and dexterity. We are deeply
indebted to John for taking and showing us these impressive and
inspiring images, and our hearts and admiration go out to this Chiapas
community who have in spite of severe hardship have fought so
successfully to preserve their culture and heritage.
Snow Geese to the Moon
This
is a magical photograph which showed the patience and “good eye” of the
photographer.
The moon is in a crescent phase, but it is not quite night, so the moon
appears almost ghost like. Below the moon is an almost
"constellation" of Snow Geese, white bodies reflecting the last of the
light. Their black wingtips mark the end of their outstretched
shapes.
The grouping of geese almost look like they are either propping up the
moon in the sky OR that the moon is releasing these birds to the earth.
It is amazing how this relatively simple composition is open to various
interpretations by the viewer.
This image is beautifully composed, making a strong graphic statement
with the just a simple combination of the rising moon and a "parade" of
snow geese.
Nick’s wonderful exhibit of children assembled
from images taken on a trip to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal could just as
well be titled, Through the Eyes of a Child. Engaging, smiling, inquisitive, fun
loving, triumphant are all adjectives that could be used to describe the
children who Nick encountered on his travels. I selected
Himalayan Child #4 not only because of the clear interaction between
the child and Nick, but also because of Nick’s use of the compositional
elements in his photograph. The subdued, but complimentary colors first
attract the viewer to the image. The bold lines and rectangles are
repeated throughout the frame. Nick places the child somewhat in the
center of the picture, not always suggested as a good idea by
photography gurus. Yet it works.
By using the diagonal lines of the house and window frame creates
enough tension in the photo that centering the child does not make any
difference. The light on the child’s face is beautiful; just enough to
highlight the face, but not too much to allow enough shadows to create
depth and contours. The darkened room behind the child further pushes
the facial features to the foreground of the image. This is a delightful
and magical image to behold. Thank you, Nick for allowing us to ‘trek’
alongside as you encountered these children.
Winter Shadows
This wonderful large print by Mary draws the viewer into this landscape.
The tree’s shadows lead you into this beautiful setting. The trees
are a major part of the composition, even though they are strong shadowy
features of the composition.
The evening sun is just setting, the blue sky will be soon gone, but it
is still there with the colorful clouds reflecting the setting sun,
providing a beautiful counterpoint color to the blue water and almost
colorless trees.
We look through the tree’s silhouettes and notice that there are still
some stubborn leaves not willing to leave their home. They pick up
the colors of the sunset as an additional feature of this image.
The use of the large format is very effective; it fills the viewer’s
eyes, focusing them on just this great landscape.
Having this photograph on your wall would be a constant pleasure to view
and get lost in nature’s beauty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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