Gallery Photographers
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All images copyright by the individual photographers
Dresden #1
by Elena Dilai
Dresden is the capital city of the German state of
Saxony, formerly in East Germany. Having been bombed heavily during
WWII, it has been completely restored to a gem along the Elbe River.
Elena has provided us with a moody depiction of the Berlitz
Language School, its history, which is hidden beneath these
beautiful newer buildings, is remembered by Elena who took advantage
of cloudy skies and wonderful light to expose it once again.
Elena had the vision to see the strength in this kind of
photograph and the skill to capture it and make it memorable to her
and now to us. This is
not an image you see in travel brochures or on the web.
This is a photograph with mood and intent.
Thank you for sharing that with us Elena.
By Don Menges
Noceur
by Andrea A. Gluckman
The first thing one notices is the title of this
photograph, and makes you wonder about what “noceur” means…..it is
French for someone who stays up late, a “party animal”. It took
checking the internet to get this description, which really affects
how this photograph is viewed. A first look without checking the
meaning could lead the viewer to think that this photograph explores
the primeval fear of the horrors of the night. This is not the case,
at least not in a “Hollywood horror movie direction”
On first look this dramatic black and white
photograph introduces us to a young man who looks like he is
screaming, perhaps at the moon. Andrea doesn’t use a full moon,
which would introduce thoughts of werewolves and all the frightening
things that are associated with it. Is the person happy?
Screaming outrage at life? Exhausted after partying into the early
morning? Frustrating in not meeting the woman of his dreams at the
club? Why is he in this pose, almost bent backward with his
head upside down to the viewer? Why is there a juxtaposition
of the man and the moon, and what is its significance?
This photograph is so powerful in that it gives
the viewer the opportunity to interpret the image, to see meaning in
it. You cannot just walk by it and give it a few seconds of your
time. It must be looked at for a while as you puzzle the answers to
the questions posed as well as others.
This composition is gripping, using a black and
white pallet with strong contrast with an all-black background. The
moon is a counterpoint to the young man, who himself is posed in a
totally unexpected manner. This is a photograph that is just not
decorative, but evocative of many different interpretations….a mark
of an excellent photograph. There may not be a simple
"answer", but it is fun thinking about this.
Mystery Woman
by Joe Jech
The eyes invite and the arching, decorated fan
hides. But even in her hiding, the mystery woman reveals herself
enough to plant seeds of curiosity, offering an invitation on her
terms. She stands relaxed, at ease and intentional. The eye catches
the word “Blessed” on the fan adding to the mystery.
The well-crafted technical aspects of the
photograph only enhance the story. The light, the gentle shadows and
the range of tonalities maintain the subtlety of the moment. Enjoy
the many wonderful details in this photograph, even as you notice
that the mystery woman is looking at you.
By John Solberg
Nature Bats Last
by David Kotok
What a prophetic provocative statement and a very
artful, though gloomy photo David is showing us. One thinks of the
ancient Chinese Dao symbol, Yin/Yang. Everything in the universe
possess contrary forces; light and dark, positive and negative.
Nature can be life supporting, bountiful and beautiful. At other
times its storms or its extremes may be dangerous or even
catastrophic. And oxygen, that life giving element eventually is a
corrosive action on us as well the objects in David’s powerful
photo. Even the misshaped tree adds to the feeling of pessimism. At
some point the main trunk no longer grew or was broken off and two
branches grew out in circular and opposite directions and in a
circular motion, somewhat resembling a heart. Even nature, it seems,
messes around with nature.
Most
certainly a sports fan, David employs a baseball metaphor that the
home team gets to determine its own fate if behind in the ninth
inning. Humanity may still be in the late stages at the top of the
ninth but depending on our ability to change our habits and
environmental choices, nature has the final say. Nature is the home
team and gets to decide humanities future, as we are only guests.
Your photo and title are very powerful and evocative, David.
By Dick Bennett
Red Umbrella Tubingen
by Jerome Kaye
Upon first impression, Jerome Kaye’s Gallery Pick
entitled Red Umbrella Tubingen, seems like a fairy tale with
its idyllic and colorful landscape.
W.H. Auden says, “The way to read a fairy tale is to throw
yourself in,” which is what one might feel like doing when staring
at this whimsical photo.
The golden home with the turret roof makes one recall the German
fairy tale in which Rapunzel was held captive in the high tower.
Maybe if she were in this tower, while looking down, she
might cleverly craft an escape plan by figuring out how to jump into
one of the canoes waiting for her to sail away across the Neckar
River. Perhaps the princess will attempt to land in the canoe with
the red umbrella so that she will be protected from the storm that
seems to be rapidly approaching.
The dramatic sky over the colorful buildings adds a truly
powerful element to the scene, which conjures up images of the
powerful sorceress who is holding Rapunzel captive.
By reducing the clarity, increasing the tonal
contrast and brightening the yellow building and the red umbrella,
Jerome’s photo effectively enables the viewer to maintain this sense
of fantasy while being engrossed in the beauty that surrounds the
scene. We are grateful to Jerome for capturing such a captivating
and fantastical image for all viewers, young and old, to enjoy as
they recall those special moments when reading the Brother Grimm’s
Fairy tales during their youth and waiting for that familiar chant
from the wandering prince, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair.”
Twilight #12
by Marcia Zach
Intimate details of flowers and vegetables have
been lovingly and creatively captured by Michael Tomb and Marcia
Zach throughout their exhibit. Using consummate artistic skills and
a great deal of patience, they have provided us with a collection of
images that show that the garden is harmonious with the plant and
animal kingdom. The interaction between the plants that they grow,
and the photos that they take makes one think of the relationship
between Monet and his garden paintings.
Monet said, “My garden is slow work, pursued with love, and I
do not deny that I am proud of it.”
For Monet as well as Marcia and Michael, the garden is their
muse---a source of inspiration for creating art. Throughout history
the garden has been a source of survival and pleasure, and this
feeling of interdependence is illustrated in Twilight #12 as
well as all of their photos.
In Twilight #12, with the life of the
plants nearing their end, the art is able to come alive. The subdued
chroma of the petals complement each other as they allow the viewer
to appreciate the diversity of the color found among the petals. The
longer one stares at the image, the strategic placement of the
various plants leads the viewer to endless possibilities. Perhaps
when starting at the top of the image, one might imagine a surreal
sun setting against the background of a late summer sky, and as the
eye travels down toward the bottom, the night slips into twilight as
the sky provides an ambient deep blue illumination.
Enjoy looking at this resplendent photo and let
the imagination run wild as you view Twilight #12 and all of
the photos in this collection.
By Marie Costanza | ||||||||||||||||
Celebrating our 16th
Year! Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |