All images copyright by the individual photographers

Our small representation here does not do justice to the impressive, fine detail present in the large photograph at the Gallery.	Be Fruitful and Multiply by David Bleich David has provided a wonderful exhibit of very large, beautiful prints. They almost convert the gallery into a verdant forest, the viewer is ready for a downpour of rain, so realistic are these photos. The large size of the images invites the viewer into the woods, enjoying the wonderful scenery in which David photographed. Sometimes with a smaller photo we end up being an observer, but with all of David’s photographs there is a sense of invitation. This is particularly true of this panorama, where the viewer is literally almost pulled into the woods. Touching the moss covering the rocks, hearing the beautiful sound of the water flowing.  The scene also brings a piece of the history of these beautiful woods—the fallen log against the rock, now the death of the tree will be providing soil for newer growth.  This is almost a metaphor for rebirth and how nature is a continuous cycle. Birth, death and rebirth. David includes not only the trees and water but all of the wide variety of ground covers in nature—ferns of various kinds and mosses---which give so much character to both these woods and his photographs. The composition uses both vertical and diagonal elements to anchor the photo, with the waterfall and its stream pulling the composition together. The powerful green of this and many of his other images really makes one appreciate the beauty of the landscape he has captured.
	After the Rain by Lisa Cook A rose by any other name . . . . Yet in Lisa’s expert hands, it is much more. She is absolutely correct that these black and white images exceed our expectations. It almost becomes sensual. The image heightens my senses. I feel the softness of the petals and the fine edge of the petal as it curves into a point. I remember the fragrant smell that wafts in the air as I walk through a garden. I can almost hear the falling rain as, perhaps, a slight breeze moves the petals. The water droplets add an interesting element to the image and their magnification and help me see the veins of the petals Nonetheless, this is not a normal photo of roses. For one thing, the roses are upside down. One of the conventions of composition, we are told, is to have an odd number of subjects – two does not work. The bottom of the rose to the right edge seems to be in focus, while the rest of the image is soft, but that is certainly not the subject and neither of the roses are fully in the frame. The thing is, it all works. The diagonal presentation of the two flowers and the perpendicular lines created by the petals themselves, the depth of the image, the delicate shading of grays, and the number of triangles that may be found, create a magnificent image for which we are thankful to Lisa for her expertise.
	Contrail View by Bruce C. Elling Bruce has demonstrated his strong compositional skills in finding a wonderful graphic image in a rather uninteresting to some area. By simplifying the composition, removing all extraneous factors in making this photograph he has created a strong, impactful image. Color can be a very significant factor in a photo; in this case Bruce uses the red roof to frame the two smoke stacks. They are, as expected rather colorless structures. The blue sky offers a second color, but without the red foreground roof this would be an ordinary image of two smoke stacks against the sky. Not only does the roof frame the images but guides your eye from the upper left-hand top edge of the photo across to the right and then down the right side and then to the chimneys. The simplicity of the composition and the movement of the viewer’s eyes make this photo one to admire. Beauty and simplicity found in, to many, a mundane place.
	Eagles and Icebergs by Jerry Miller Jerry surprises the viewer by capturing two eagles sitting on an iceberg. Normally we expect to see a seal or perhaps a polar bear in a location like this, but not often do we see eagles even though they range from the tropics to the arctic. This appears to be a nesting pair of adult eagles since one is somewhat larger than the other. There's probably a tall tree with a nest nearby but you wouldn't know it to look at this photograph. The composition is interesting as Jerry chose to place the eagles near the top of the frame, letting the icebergs be the larger visual objects. However, the stark contrast of the darkly-colored eagles against the soft blue color of the ice quickly brings the viewer's attention to the eagles. Jerry deserves a “well done” for this sharp, well-exposed photograph!
	Welcome to Buffalo by Amy Palermo Amy joined her friends Beth Quattrociocchi and Bruce Elling to the RiverWorks complex in Buffalo near the Silo City area. These industrial grain silos pictured in the background of Amy’s photo once were a critical economic engine for Buffalo. Beginning in the 1850’s and continuing through the early 20th century 30 of these grain elevators stored grain from the mid-west until loaded onto boats for the Erie Canal trip to the east. The elevators were so large that one account suggests that Silo City could store enough grain at one time that, when ground into flour would produce 462 million loaves of bread. An elevator in Buffalo built of reinforced concrete and is thought to be the first in the nation raised by slip forms into which concrete was continuously poured. Previously, concrete had only been poured once a day before any new concrete was placed. Left abandoned for many years, this area is now part of the revival of the Port of Buffalo with entertainment venues, bars, restaurants and artists setting up shop to take advantage of a very unique area. Amy captures this blend of the old and new in her photo Welcome to Buffalo. The silos in the background dwarf the chairs and tables in the foreground of what may be an outside eating area or a place for rest. The older, larger edifice towering over the present as the past does for us. It is tempting to marvel at our advanced industry and mass production that provides everything we may need. Automation is taking over many jobs that used to be accomplished by man and we marvel at our ability to create. Yet, these elevators built in the early 20th century still stand and are being reimagined for our day.
	Deep Blue by Beth Quattrociocchi Three master photography teachers combine their photographic skills to display their impressions of the Riverworks complex area of Buffalo. It is always fascinating to see how different artist find different inspirations after being in the same area, seeing the same structures. Beth has utilized the color blue to grab our attention and not let go. The shades of blue vary from the light highlights to the deep blue of the shadows. The strong angled railing on the stairway with repeated vertical lines give the image a rhythmic quality—staccato notes in a falling arpeggio. The reds at the bottom of the stairs bring in a contrasting color as an accent. This reminds us that this is a stairway in real life, not just a wonderful graphic. Seeing beauty and strong compositions in “pedestrian” things like a stairway is the mark of an excellent photographer. Beth has seen this composition in an area where most people would just walk by, maybe mentally label the scene as a stairway and walk on. Beth has NOT done this, but she has been mentally present and seen and created this wonderful composition.