Home

About the Gallery

Current Show

Show Schedule

Gallery Photographers
    Partner
    Artists-in-Residence
 

Exhibition Opportunities

Links

Sponsors

Newsletter Archive

 

 

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

Moods of Ontario

July 14 - August 9, 2015

 Peter Marr and Gallery Partners have chosen their "Picks of the Show"
and present a commentary on their choices.

click here to return to the details of the exhibit

                                                                                                                                                                             

All images copyright by the individual photographers

Peter Marr's Picks


Ontario #8 by John Solberg

Print #8
by John Solberg

All of the prints in this exhibition are exceptional, and each one deserves a review, but as I was limited in the number that I could choose, I finally selected 3 to comment on. I would be remiss if I did not mention that all of the pieces are superbly printed, matted and framed giving an unmatched uniformity to the entire exhibition. I must mention that one of the true benefits of photography (and art), is that each image is frozen in time, so that everyone can explore them internally in their own time, and I do hope that many photographers and admirers of photography will revisit this show to both study and enjoy all of them.

What I really love and am inspired by in Print #8, is the warm, glowing color palette, the tranquil and magical atmosphere, and nature’s challenge to understand the relationship between sky and water. The sky in particular offers us a superb range of warm pastel colors, harmoniously arranged within the picture space, where light and color dance together, creating a lyrical scape filled with quiet emotion and poetic delicacy. The colorful clouds stretch out like extended fingers across the sky, daring to elevate themselves upwardly from left to right, in contrast to the bold horizon line below. Into this quiescent space, a striking flock of Canada geese slowly descend from right to left in a typical precision formation. Below the line of geese, the gorgeous warm hues disappear into a soft haze over the water below. On the latter, nature has given us a darker and more foreboding lake scenario. The reflected light is less colorful than the sky above, and the lake surface consists mostly of dark elongated irregular patterns. Although these patterns are not reflections of the birds in flight, it is very apparent that nature has stretched these thin elements to resemble a line of geese flying in a straight line from left to right. It would be pertinent to ask viewers what they see reflected in the surface of the lake. This delightful and exemplary image is both profound and enchanting as it is mysterious.

Peter A. Marr

Ontario #9 by John Solberg

 

Print #9
by John Solberg

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have seen John’s remarkable and insightful B/W images, will be impressed with his outstanding exhibition of color prints, which so beautifully captures the incomparable Moods of Ontario. Water is a compelling psychological force in human vision, and it is very apparent that the author has a real enthusiasm for the subject matter. All of these images were designed by nature, and they have been superbly captured by John.  All of these prints are so restorative, revealing something in the world larger than we are. There is music in the language of the water, sky, clouds and light, inspiring a sacredness that the environment is still alive. These pictures have a spirit and a soul. Images of affirmation, grace, artistry and elegance.

Like many of the prints in this exhibition, #9, has a remarkable sense of mood and atmosphere, the magic of quiet light, a sense of mystery, and a time for contemplation. One of the obvious benefits in creating these prints, and #9 in particular, is that there is little need to manipulate the perfection that nature provides. In #9, you do not want to add or take away anything from this idyllic image, particularly with the restricted hue range, where color exists without violence. The subtle range of pastel hues effortlessly and importantly, contribute to the entire lake-scape, which is full of vitality and profoundness. Remarkably, the strong horizon line is not the real division of sky and water, for the lake stretches further into the visible distance, creating a softer viewpoint that adds a mystical graphic echo of the line below. Into this evocative and inspiring panorama, 4 geese fly in formation just above the water’s surface, silently and serenely beginning their flight to an unknown destination. Their presence is duly noted by a small group of diving ducks, in particular, by the central duck who turns his head to watch the geese fly by. One is appreciative that nature has added a center of interest, but that only adds to the sheer enjoyment of viewing this consummate print, a visionary image of exquisiteness and sereneness for all to appreciate and enjoy.

Peter A. Marr


Ontario # 17 by John Solberg


Print #17
by John Solberg

Nature can equally express its wrath and displeasure in either color or monochrome, but here, in this awesome and dynamic lake-scape, it has chosen almost a B/W canvas with subtle hints of color to demonstrate its power and majesty. In John’s dramatic image, the sky and clouds are a tour de force of energy and intensity, as if they were taunting the water below to rise up and defend itself. The author has deliberately kept the horizon line low in the frame, in order that the viewer’s attention will concentrate on the incredible release of energy in the sky. It must be stated though, that by no means does the water look weak and passive, for it has a foreboding darkness of its own, with the threat that the subdued water movement could at any time, rise up in anger at the menacing formations above. The impressive cloud formations exhibit both dark and light areas, where it seems there is a genuine conflict between the dark grays and the higher values exhibited by the whites and lighter grays. Both areas contribute to the sheets of rain that blanket the horizon, but they are separated in the center by a seemingly magical rain- free section, which may result from a peace accord between the warring factions. The resplendent natural lighting contributes greatly to this stellar scene, revealing exquisite detail and tonality changes in an impeccable manner. In my admiration for this amazing image, the more I look at it, the more that I think nature is trying to play a trick on us. For what I clearly see, is a gigantic bird diving down to the water below, it long beak and piercing eye being very visible. The outside dark plumage of the bird’s left wing contrasts masterfully with the much lighter underside of the open right wing. This visualization on my part, does not detract at all from the fact that Print #17 is an awe-inspiring image, and is a great tribute to John’s artistic vision and photographic prowess.

Peter A. Marr

Gallery Partners' Picks
The Watchman by Dave Burnet

 

The Watchman, Zion, NP
by Dave Burnet
 

Dave is another photographer who began as a child encouraged by his parents to pursue this direction. Since his early beginnings Dave has developed his skills in making images of people and events, but he hasn’t lost his curiosity to push the envelope a bit and experiment with aerial photography from drones! Lucky for us Dave also finds the time to make amazing landscape images.  The Watchman is a favorite target of landscape photographers visiting Zion National Park. Few have done a better job with it than Dave. The “V” shape composition draws your eye right along the riverbed and when at the end you are treated to a wonderful sky. Some photographers over-enhance this subject. Dave has done a great job giving us a realistic, yet dramatic version.  Great image Dave.

Mt-Ngauruhoe-Tongariro-Xing by Larry Eldridge

 

Mt. Ngauruhoe - Tongariro Crossing, NZ
by Larry Eldridge
 

Larry has presented us with a number of really excellent images. Mt. Ngauruhoe is the jewel of the collection. It is one thing to notice the beauty and details of the world that surrounds us, but quite another to be able to frame a composition that allows the photographer to share the same vision he experienced. Notice how balanced this image is. Every space is usefully occupied. The basin and the path cup the image and the majestic mountain pushes itself into the billowing clouds above.  The tiny people on the path are a significant detail allowing us to begin to understand the size of this massive mountain. Good photography is a combination of vision and competence. Great photography is when you can capture an image that makes the viewer feel as if they were there with you. This image was no accident.

Regally Withering by CM Goodenbury

Regally Withering

by CM Goodenbury

Almost everyone looks at the flower and sees beauty, but to seek out beauty in old abandoned decayed building takes a special eye.  The series of powerful photographs on display by Chris demonstrate his skills in photographing the attractiveness of old buildings. The viewer is reminded of places like Havana and Venice; decaying but beautiful.

Churches, abandoned buildings and decayed interiors are the subjects that Chris uses as his subjects. His compositions are beautifully presented, using the medium of printing on canvas to give an old-fashioned look to these old-fashioned, forgotten places.

Regally Withering evokes the wonderful art of Escher, with it staircases that tend to turn inward upon themselves in a surrealistic manner. It’s not clear to the viewer whether these stairs go back upon themselves in a continuous loop, even though your mind knows that this is a photograph of a real location. The swooping stairs at the top and bottom of this photograph frame it beautifully, keeping the viewer’s eyes focused on the center of the picture. Use of a wide-angle lens is masterfully utilized to produce enough distortion to make the viewer feel he is immersed in the photograph. Chris recently won the first prize award for photography at the recent Corn Hill Arts Festival, which he richly deserved.

Behind the Scenes by Julie Oldfield

 

Behind the Scenes
by Julie Oldfield
 
Many photographers create images to show beauty, document events or the wonderful places and people they visit. Other times their photographs show their interpretation of everyday objects.  Julie has created an image, which makes the viewer really think.
 
Creative writing groups are often challenged by being given a photograph and asked to write a story about it. As one looks at this photograph you are provided an opportunity to develop such a story. The effective use of the medium of black and white contributes strongly to the mood. The solitary figure is almost lost in the cavernous alleyway he is crossing. Although the spaces are large, the photo has a claustrophobic feel; the buildings confine the space where the very small figure walks.
 
The absence of color and sky, the grayness of the image, and the vertical walls of the buildings give the viewer ample opportunity to try to understand the message Julie is suggesting.

Julie presents us with a photo that offers much more than an image of a subject, rather it entices the viewer to contemplate what else may be going on or represented here.

St. Pete Reflected by Michelle Turner

 

St. Pete Reflected
by Michelle Turner

St. Pete Reflected by Michelle Turner is a summation or what photographers might label a foundation shot. In this image are representations of the other photos in her exhibit about St. Petersburg. As many photographers will do when entering a site, we first take a general photo to establish where we are and to give context to subsequent images. As with most windows, this one both reflects and provides us an insight to the area as well as the photographer’s conception and representation of the area. As one views St. Pete Reflected and then the rest of the series, see the angles of the windows in “Dali Reflection,” the vivid colors, windows and the shapes of her “Umbrella” series, the contextual positioning of “Yellow, Red, Blue” and finally the colors of the buildings and sunset.  Even the water is makes an appearance.

Returning to St. Pete Reflected and looking at it in more detail, it could be that we are viewing the scene through the window, but the marks on the window indicate that it is weathered, so it is likely a reflection. However, as with most reflections, is it an accurate representation of the scene? The images in each of the five sections flow together well and viewing from left to right, there are common elements from one section to the next. In addition, the pallet of the window matches and enhances the pallet of the reflected image. Yet, taken as a whole, the pieces don’t seem to match together to form one complete image. Perhaps it is due to the angle from which Michelle has taken the image. The viewer is left to speculate whether this is one complete image reflected or a composite of parts of the scene. At any rate, Michelle has met one objective of having the viewer linger over her photo and contemplate St. Pete.

   

  
 
Image City Photography Gallery  ♦   722 University Avenue  ♦    Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540
In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts