To Paraphrase Bill Clinton : "It's the Photographer, Stupid"!

In most of the beginning and intermediate level photography courses I've taught, I've led off with a discussion on "It's not the equipment, it's the photographer that makes great photographs."  Many attendees bring along their $5,000 worth of  Nikon (and/or Canon) cameras and lenses, and they always look amused at my obviously (in their mind) unfounded theory.  

Well folks, here's an honest-to-goodness, livin' proof example. . .

I'm actively involved in the Point of View Gallery in Burlington. We currently have an exhibit of artwork from students attending Hawbridge School in Saxapahaw.  The exhibit began with an opening reception for the students.  As one would expect, there were a number of proud parents and their children in attendance.  One of these parents was Brian Towey.

We were just casually talking. Brian was providing his favorable impression of my printing techniques on several of my hanging pieces.  He mentioned that he liked to take photographs and had a few that he might be interested in having me print for him.  I assured him I'd see what I could do - if he would email them to me I'd take a look and get back to him.

In a few minues Brian realized he might have one of the photos on his smartphone. Would I like to see it?  Being polite, but with low expectations, I said "Sure."  

I was absolutely blown away. Here's a version of the photograph:

Although a photographer, I'm a big fan of Renaissance-era Dutch and Flemish painters.  Here's one of Gabriel Metsu's that reminds me of Brian's. . .

Here's Brian's Story:

“We’re a home schooling family. In 2009, we were setting out on a year-long RV expedition, from North Pole, Alaska  to the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico. I had my trusty old Canon G2 along to document the trip.

On our way north we detoured through Chicago to visit relatives. In the RV park where we were staying, some neighbors encouraged us to visit the Bristol Renaissance Faire in nearby Bristol, Wisconsin. For many years we have all participated in living history. That’s the only kind of history lesson that sticks. So, we didn’t need much urging. It’s a particularly big and splendid fair, as such things go, a very entertaining blend of the historical and the hysterical.

The best part of living history, besides lots of beer and knives, is when the costumes and settings work perfectly. You find yourself watching a scene that could have popped out of a museum picture frame, or perhaps you walk through torchlit mists with cloaked friends and just for a minute your mind slips a gear and you feel it might be real. I keep my camera handy just in case.

This young lady was one of the costumed reenactors at the fair. Her costume and props were so good (at least from this angle), that she looked just like a painting. Because she was outdoors under a canopy, light just poured onto the scene. The picture practically took itself.

We got a lot of great photos on that trip: Moose and glaciers, pyramids and palm trees. You expect that on a grand tour. This photo stands out for me because it was such a perfect and timeless moment. When people ask me what I mean by living history, I pull this out to show them.”

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Just to reinforce my equipment vs. photographer theory - the camera that Brian used for this shot, a Canon G2, can be purchased on eBay for $29 or best offer! 

Meanwhile, I'm spending some time with Brian's image in Photoshop.  Although not a Photoshop fan, I'm trying to emulate the Renaissance style for a canvas print version.  Other than removing the person in the background wearing bluejeans shorts (!), I'm just playing with the tonality and shadows.  

But let me be clear, Brian's photography stands on its own and would make a beautiful print without any post-processing. 

Thank you man for sharing this with me!

An Art Installation in the New ARMC Cancer Center

This week Alamance Regional Medical Center opened their new 40,000 square-foot cancer center. This two-story center has been designed to provide the optimal healing environment for patients.  Features of the facility include an abundance of natural light, a welcoming atrium, a boutique for cancer patients, a family lounge area with internet access, and a café that offers coffee and smoothies.  The center  also includes a family resource center and space for community education and support groups.  Come Spring, adjacent green space outside the new center will provide a walking area and healing garden in a courtyard setting.

Working with the Cancer Center staff, the Alamance Arts Council selected a body of local art that was purchased for the facility. Funding for this project was provided through generous private donations.  

Artists selected for the project include David Nance, Jude Lobe, Ali Givens, Pat Scheible, Steven Durland, Laine Francis, Tracey Huley, Linda Holch Gordon, and others - including me.

I created three special edition pieces specifically for the permanent collection. The frst two shown here are 30" by 45" gallery wrapped canvases installed in the Resource Center Family Lounge located off the lobby area.  The third piece is a 30" by 64" craddled board triptych canvas installed in a hallway of the exam room complex.  All three of these images were captured last Fall and are from the southern part of Alamance County.

"A Place for Reflection"

"Path Through the Poplars"

"On Our Sunday Drive"

It's satisfying to know that my work may be of comfort to patients and their families.  Thanks to ARMC and the Arts Council for including me in this project!

Another Successful Studio Tour

As promised to the hardworking group of 49 artists who participated in this year's Alamance Artisans Guild Studio Tour, here are all of the 500+ photographs from the event. These are stored on my Picasa site and should stay up until next year's event.  Simply click on the image below to see the album.

AAG 2013 Studio Tour

Feel free to use any of these images for your marketing. You can download any of them, but must do so one at a time. When an image is enlarged by clicking on it, select Download from the Action menu above the image.

For anyone wishing more information about the Guild, visit the website by clicking here.

Enjoy.

A Site Revisited: The Dye House at Glencoe Mill

Several years ago I made a number of trips to Glencoe Mill, and spent numerous hours photographing the interiors and exteriors of the buildings in the complex.

The mill, one of the last of southern textile mills built to be powered by running water, operated from the late nineteenth century until its closing in the mid 1950's.  

While the entire property held my interest, the dye house was the most appealing, at least from the visual perspective.  

As seen in this image, the building interior had a movie set feeling appropriate for the next post-apocalypse blockbuster. 

Since my initial visits, portions of the end wall, rear wall, and part of the roof collapsed into a  pile of rubble on the floor of the building.  It was a sad sight! 

Recently Hedgehog Holdings of Raleigh, owners and stewards of a number of historically significant mill properties (including Glencoe), began repairing the damage.  

I was asked by Hedgehog to document the rebuilding process.  I jumped at the opportunity to participate in the next metamorphosis of Glencoe Mill.

The project, expect to last around five months, has just begun. To date the contractor has cleaned the debris, salvaged as much of the original material as practical, including the handmade bricks, and is restoring the shell back to it's original design. The interior will be updated to accommodate the new tenant - a nonprofit environmental learning center.

Here's a slideshow of the images to date. More images will be posted  as the restoration continues.  Stay tuned!

lane

The Road Less Traveled (at least on this day)

Alamance Artisans Guild had the Opening Reception for their exhibit at Caswell County Arts Center yesterday. The event was attend by a large number of artists and patrons.

During the afternoon I had a conversation with several artists about a tree-lined farm driveway along Highway 49 south of Burlington.  We were guessing as to the specie of the trees lining the drive.  During the conversation I promised to send someone images of the drive that I took during a spectacular snowfall in December 2010.

Unfortunately, as it seems to happen more often now days, I've forgotten to whom I promised this!  Nonetheless, here're the images...

(click on any of the images for a slide show)