1st Place in the NM Magazine Photo Contest

"Riveting together History" by Tom Spross
Category: Sense of Place

New Mexico Magazine, a division of the New Mexico Tourism Department, is proud to announce the winners of its 10th annual Photo Contest.
The winning images appear in the magazine’s January 2011 issue, available on newsstands now.
“Not only is the New Mexico Magazine Photo Contest a showcase of the breadth and beauty of our great state, it also represents the photographic talents of people who love New Mexico, many of whom are our readers,” said Publisher Ethel Hess.
One grand-prize winner was awarded, in addition to first-, second-, and third-place honors in six categories. There were also 21 honorable mentions.
Twenty-four pages of the magazine’s January 2011 issue are devoted to 43 award-winning photos. More than 240 non-professional photographers submitted more than 1,100 images. Of those, more than half of the entries were from residents of 40 cities and towns in New Mexico. The rest came from residents of 31 other states.
To see all the winning photographs, go to: http://www.nmmagazine.com/photo_tour.php

NEW MEXICO CANCER CENTER "GALLERY WITH A CAUSE"

"Cold Springs Morning Glow"

One of our members, Bill d'Ellis, has ten images on exhibit in the Winter Gallery show, “Dreamscapes!” at the New Mexico Cancer Center "Gallery with a Cause," from December 12 to March 12, 2011, along with twenty other artists, exhibiting photographic images, ceramic mosaics, oil, watercolor, pastel and mixed media paintings. 35% of purchases are tax-deductible and benefit patients who are battling cancer.

The gallery is open to the public 9 to 6 Monday through Friday. It is located in the New Mexico Cancer Center at 4901 Lang N.E. From the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Jefferson, go south on Jefferson and turn left (east) at Lang, the first left turn opportunity. It is on the left at the end of the first long block. Please call Colleen at 828-3791 or Devona at 828-3789 to make arrangements to see the exhibition, as they prefer to take you around in order to protect the privacy of patients.

To give her patients a more peaceful and beautiful surrounding for their treatment, New Mexico Cancer Center founder, Dr. Barbara McAneny, started the New Mexico Cancer Foundation in 2002. She had the entire facility designed to be both a comprehensive cancer treatment facility and an art gallery. Many patients have expressed their appreciation for the art.

She recognized that, as vacation, sick leave and other resources were quickly exhausted, the burdens of their illness and treatment often left her patients without sufficient financial resources to meet their everyday needs. Families were unable to pay rent or mortgage payments, car payments, electricity and gas bills and other common expenses. With generous support from the New Mexico Cancer Center physicians, the Foundation began to provide patients with non-medical financial assistance. Thousands of other generous donors have contributed to this cause. Since its inception, nearly $450,000 in Foundation patient grants has eased burdens for hundreds of New Mexico families.

Not long after the Foundation was started, the art became a part of the Foundation’s mission. The Foundation sponsors four art shows each year at the New Mexico Cancer Center. Curator, Terry Dunn, selects each show around a different theme suitable for cancer patients, some of whom spend many hours there in chemotherapy or other treatment. As with any gallery, artists are charged a commission on sales. And the commission is, for the buyer, a tax deductible donation which goes to the Foundation.

Four shows a year; a great venue; pleasant art for cancer patients; and the commission helps deserving cancer patients. A Gallery With A Cause, indeed!

Cover Art

Check out the Winter 2010/11 cover of the internationally distributed Route 66 Magazine and you will find a stunning photo of the Route 66 Malt Shop by our own Melissa Lea.

Over the years, Melissa has turned her camera on the many, unique sights along Route 66. The subject has held a fascination for her since childhood when she traveled to California with her parents. In 2006, she drove the route solo from Chicago to Santa Monica. “When you travel Route 66,” she says, “you are able to see the uniqueness of America as it really is. It’s not like driving the interstate where you see mostly chain stores that look the same everywhere.” And she particularly likes the Malt Shop, because it is “still alive and taking a step toward the future. Most people only take pictures of the old and dying landmarks and don’t pay enough attention to the ‘Mother Road’s’ success stories.”

Melissa shot this picture at dusk with a tripod. Neon is a particularly difficult subject to photograph but she handled it like the master photographer that she is. You can view more of her Route 66 images in our gallery.

Congratulations, Janet!

Janet Worne, one of the gallery's newest members, has received top honors at the Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show (ANMPAS). Janet's photo "Friends" won first place in the category of Portraits and Human Interest.

Janet is a 27-year veteran of photojournalism who, in recent years, has turned her camera to the cultural and natural beauty of New Mexico. In writing about "Friends," Janet said that "for every action there is a reaction." And while most photographers would focus attention on the fire, Janet looked for a human reaction.

She found it when a firefighter unexpectedly shook hands with the family dog. Janet writes: "The dog was upset and confused. He tried to get back into the house but an animal-loving firefighter took the time to distract him. I only saw this scene unfold because I took my attention away from the fire itself long enough to find a reaction."

This year, for the first time, every member of the gallery was juried into the prestigious ANMPAS show, including Robert Crespin, Bill d'Ellis, Rebecca Golding, Melissa Lea, Pat O'Brien, Tom Spross, Gale Sutton, Janet Worne, and Kim Ashley. Altogether, 16 classic images from gallery members are on exhibit and for sale at the show.

In addition, one gallery member, Robert Medina Cook, was selected to be among five master photographers in New Mexico to serve on the ANMPAS jury. The judges evaluated over 400 anonymous images submitted by 150 photographers, selecting only the very best for exhibit. Robert also has three images on exhibit and for sale in the Judge's Show Room.

The ANMPAS exhibit showcases the very best fine art photography in New Mexico. The show is open to the public from December 5 until December 28, 10-5 pm each day, except Tuesdays and Christmas. The show is located at the Fine Arts Building at EXPONM. Enter the grounds at the Copper/San Pedro gate. For more information, visit the website at www.anmpas.com.

ANMPAS Show

We are proud to announce that all of our photographers at the Albuquerque Photographers Gallery will have one or more photos on display in the Annual New Mexico Photographic Art show. This is a juried show with an impressive collection of images by New Mexico photographers. The show opens to the public on Sunday, December 5th. Below is the information as it appears on the ANMPAS invitations. You are all invited!

"The second Annual New Mexico Photographic Art show is opening soon at the Fine Arts building at EXPONM! The talent that will be showcased at this one of a kind exhibit is not to be missed. Our gallery show will be open to the public from December 5, 2010 until December 28, 2010. The gallery is closed on Tuesdays, and will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Gallery hours are 10 am to 5pm, and the Fine Arts Building can be accessed on the west side of the EXPONM grounds at the Copper/San Pedro gate. Anyone receiving this important notice is encouraged to forward it to everyone they know with a passion for fine art photography. Exeptional attendance at this month-long exhibit will ensure exceptional success to the many talented artists involved. We at ANMPAS are thrilled to be hosting this display, and look forward to showing all visitors the depth of talent that resides in New Mexico."

www.anmpas.com

Magic Places

To me a Magic Place is where the collective intelligence of a people from long ago still lingers, infusing the very stones with their spirit. You may know what I mean when I talk of an Old Soul—a person who when you first meet them you know they are special. It’s as if they are more evolved than the rest of us and possess a greater understanding of the world. Their wisdom is palpable.

Some places have this same sort of wisdom. Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Canyon is one of those Old Soul places. You can feel it. As if the breath of the ancestors still mingles with the canyon breezes that flow through the ruins. More than that, it is a sacred place where the gods themselves still hold court.

How do you capture this magic with a camera, a device that is firmly rooted in our modern, digital world? I don’t know if I can answer that. I think you have to be there, be still and let the spirit of it flow through you. Then you begin to feel the magic and photographing it becomes easy. Light, history and your own spirituality come together in a visual expression of the place.

--Janet Worne

Finding the Reflection in Life

Photographers flock to a brilliant sunset, a fiery blaze or some other event infused with high drama. They go immediately to the heart of the matter and rightly so. These things can be fleeting and you must get what you can while it lasts. But for every action, there is a reaction. For every sunset there is a subtle reflection in the opposite direction. For every high-flying, game-winning football catch there is an explosion of emotion on the sideline. And for every house fire there is the reaction of the displaced resident and sometimes, you find the kindness of a stranger who consoles them.

That’s what I found at this house fire. The dog was upset and confused. He tried to get back into the house but an animal-loving firefighter took the time to distract him. I only saw this scene unfold because I took my attention away from the fire itself long enough to find a reaction.

--Janet Worne

Introducing Our Newest Members

The Albuquerque Photographers Gallery has seen many changes in the last several months. The most significant of these would be the addition of three new members. Each has made a unique contribution to the quality and variety of our artwork.

The first to arrive was Robert Crespin, a native New Mexican, who has “lived among the Western Cowboy, Pueblo Indians and Northern New Mexico Hispanic Cultures” of the state.

Next came Janet Worne, a 27-year veteran of photojournalism who, in recent years, has turned her camera to the cultural and natural beauty of New Mexico.

Finally, we welcome Bill d’Ellis, a member of The Enchanted Lens Camera Club, who has lived in Albuquerque since 1987 where he has been pursuing the art of photography.

We welcome these talented photographers and urge you all to stop in and enjoy their work.

Heritage Series #1 - Air

This image begins a new series of images that combines HDR with layers.
They are inspired by a friend who is both compassionate with (as a wildlife volunteer), and passionate about wild creatures. And, of course, the BP oil spill that is destroying life in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tomas
www.TomSproPhoto.com

Another New Photographer

This spring has seen a number of changes in the gallery membership and in the structure of the leadership.

First, let me introduce Gale Sutton, who is our newest member. She joined the gallery a week ago.

Here is what Gale has to say about herself.

Photography has always been a major part of my life. Self-taught, my passion for photography has steadily increased over the years. After two-plus decades as a jury psychologist, I turned to photography full time.

Photographs can connect us powerfully, viscerally to a place, a time, an event . . . . can spark curiosity, serenity, sorrow, awe, joy. I seek that connection in my photographs

of the textures and rhythms of our planet, brewing storms, infinite vistas, and the forgotten stories inherent in abandoned houses, cars, old buildings.

Please join us in welcoming her to the Albuquerque Photographer's Gallery. By the way, one of Gale's images is posted to the left.

Now, as to those leadership changes.

After many years as a gallery member and a year of working as the executive director, Urey Lemen has stepped down. He is still a member of APG, saying that he will leave the gallery in the near future. Hopefully, the near future will turn into the very long term future since Urey has always been a team player and a gentle force in the gallery.

I've replaced Urey as director. With that, I have given up my marketing post. Our newest members; Gale Sutton and Melissa Lea are the new marketing team.

-- Ray Laskowitz

Slot Canyon Beauty

The slot canyons of Arizona and Uath are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. This one was taken in lower Antelope Canyon outside of Page, Az. The light levels tend to be very low so exposure times are long and a tripod is a must. My first effort of taking images in slot canyons was done on film. At least for me, it was always a matter of holding my breath until the film got back to see if my exposures where right. I now do mostly digital photography so you know what you got right away.

Urey Lemen

Aspen Light

After a significant amount of internal debate and digital alchemy (mostly cropping decisions), I have decided to use this image for the upcoming black & white show at the Albuquerque Photographers Gallery. I like the more open feeling and the shadows in this one and that tipped it for me.

I would explain how I did the B/W conversion, but since I use Nikon Capture NX for all of my RAW file development, I doubt that the steps would be beneficial to most who might read this. The software allows me to 'blend' the original (more yellow tones in the trees) to any degree, so I opted to leave a small part of the original colors in the image.

A New Gallery Member

Every now and then we, at The Albuq - uerque Photo - graphers Gallery, make a few changes. Members sometimes leave for a whole host of reasons. Long time member Val Isenhower left to devote more time to various projects. So a new member joined us. Her name is Melissa Lea. This is what she has to say about herself.

"Everyone is born with a gift from the Creator. My gift is interpreting the energetic spirit of nature through the art of photography. My photography takes a person visually to a certain place in nature. In turn, it takes one further spiritually to that place to experience its essence. I feel blessed to experience the beauty and wonder that surrounds me on a physical, spiritual and creative level. And, I am excited to share these experiences with others through my photography."

Melissa has traveled through Europe, Canada and The United States. When she travels in The US, she mostly travels the "Blue Highways" and has focused on "The Mother Highway," Route 66. Her images have been published in Route 66 Magazine and American Road Magazine.

Join us in welcoming our newest member, Melissa Lea, to The Albuquerque Photographers Gallery, located in the Poco y Poco Plaza in Old Town.

Our Guest Photographer - Bill d'Ellis

As some of you know, The Albuquerque Photographer's Gallery has a guest photographer program. A regional photographer is juried into the gallery for one month. The March guest photographer is Bill d'Ellis.

Bill and his wife moved to Albuquerque in 1987 from Bakersfield, California. Until late 2008, Bill and his wife owned a small real estate brokerage in the city. When they retired from the real estate business, they began pursuing photography and are both members of The Enchanted Lens Camera Club.

Bill says that "New Mexico is a wonderful place to live if you are a photographer and especially if your favorite subjects are scenics, landmarks and landscapes." His goal, he adds, is to find an capture a special scene that is bathed in the wonderful light found only in the "Land of Enchantment."

Bill's work will be showing at The Albuquerque Photographer's Gallery during the month of March. Come see his work and the work of the coop members.

The Eye

This is a shot from Lower Antelope Canyon outside of Page Arizona. I call it The Eye but it could also be called Birds Head. Slot canyons are one of those overshot icons of the Southwest but they are still a wonderful place to visit and photograph. The light is constantly changing not only during the day but by season as well. Upper and Lower Antelope are the two most famous slot canyons but there are numerous others in the Southwest. I have also visited Water Holes, Spooky and Peek a Boo. Give them a visit someday.

Urey Lemen

Route 66

One of my colleagues at the gallery and co-op suggested that I make more matted images of my Route 66 pictures because during her shift at the gallery some visitors had asked for matted prints of one particular image in various smaller sizes. I thought that was a good idea so I'll add a few new images to my collection at the gallery during the next week or so.

She suggested that I add pictures of the old hotels that dot Albuquerque's Central Avenue and that's also a good idea. Most of them are pretty worn. Their neon lights are broken or don't work at all, but they do reflect a bygone era when most travelers drove across country on the "Mother Road." In Albuquerque, Route 66 actually approaches and pass through the city from four directions; east-west, which is the route we typically think of, but also north - south from Santa Fe to the South Valley which was the pre-1937 route.

Even though I've photographed a lot of these old buildings, there's still lot's to photograph. Wish me luck.

Climbing Up

Copyright V. Isenhower Photography

Climbing Up is one of a series of ladder pictures I took at the Pecos National Monument. I wanted to tell tell a story of a journey. This picture was taken part way up the kiva ladder. At this stage in the journey the climber can see the sky, but still has to commit to finishing the journey. The floor is still closer than the top. Two questions this picture asks are, "What is at the top of the ladder?" and "Do I want to climb into the light or stay in the safety of the kiva?" This photo is one of 11 photos chosen to appear in the May/June 2010 issue of Alive Now, a devotional magazine published by Upper Room.

On Guard

I took this shot near my house in Corrales last spring. Burrowing owls are small owls which nest in holes or burrows to raise their young. This guy and his mate were nesting in a burrow in the side of an arroyo near my house. It used a fence post as a look out to guard his nest. If you got too close it would scold you! By summer the young are old enough to leave the nest and the owls move on. They usually come back to the burrow to nest again the following year.

Urey

Light

After chasing around for the better part of an afternoon looking for "iconic" snow pictures in the east mountains, I was driving home when I looked to the east again and saw the Sandias being bathed in what many artists coming to New Mexico looking for; late afternoon golden winter light. In the past, I have tried driving to the end of the road -- as it were -- to work up close. But traffic at that time of day can really get bogged down. And, there really is no way to plan for this light. Either it emerges, or it doesn't. Fortunately, I've found a short distance "go to" place pretty near my home. It gives me at least 30 minutes of late afternoon working light.

Aside from posting it on this blog, I'm showing the framed image at The Albuquerque Photography's Gallery in Old Town, Albuquerque starting today and lasting through the month. This little, compressed image really doesn't do the scene justice. The framed print does. It's called "Hallelujah," on the back of the marvelous performance by Justin Timberlake on "Hope For Haiti Now."

Sandia Winter Twilight

© V. Isenhower Photography

We had a winter storm in New Mexico Friday and Saturday. Late Friday afternoon I looked out my window to see a beautiful view of the Sandia mountains. I grabbed my camera and jumped in the car to see what pictures I could get. This shot came from a vacant lot behind my house. The scene continued to draw me so I headed over to Sandia Casino near the foothills for some additional photographs. Unfortunately, I left the house in such a hurry that I didn't have a hat or gloves, so by the time I got home I was frozen. It was well worth it!

"Crystal Mill"

Crystal Mill is one of those iconic images I always wanted to photograph. It is located not too far from the Carbondale, Colorado. It is however a pretty rough 4-wheeler drive to get in there. The little mining town of Crystal is just up stream of the mill. Their are some hardy folks that live there during the summer. The fishing was also good for brook trout that day!

Urey Lemen

On the Half Shell

I took this image on a Nov. 2009 trip to the Bisti Badlands in Northwestern New Mexico. I call it "On the Half Shell". The more popular name for this formation is the Egg Factory. There was a gray overcast sky all day so I tried to crop the sky out of my shots. Bisti is a road-less area that requires a lot of walking but you will be well rewarded for your effort.
Urey Lemen

Cannon Beach

© 2010 by Tom Spross

One of the images I shot while on a short vacation to Oregon over the Christmas holidays. In fact, this was taken on Christmas day. This was a vacation, and my first time in the area, so I did not intend to take many photos. In fact, all I brought was my D300 and a 50mm lens. No tripod, no filters. This was shot with the camera resting on a picnic table so that I could bracket three images for later HDR processing. It is my first HDR and I have a lot to learn, but I like it and plan to do a lot more.
Tom Spross
www.TomSproPhoto.com

Welcome

The ten members of the Albuquerque Photographers Gallery have decided that with the new year to move into the modern world. We have some exciting changes in the way we plan to reach out to you, the photographic collector. This is but one, in a series of steps.

This image was made during "The Worldwide Photography Contest in July 2008. It won in our small region and prompted photographer Ray Laskowitz to join the coop when we had an opening. It is an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, photographed by Ray.

Most of the members will be posting from time-to-time.

We are: Kim Ashley, Robert Medina Cook, Charlotte Gardner, Rebecca Golding, Marilyn Hunter, Val Isenhower, Ray Laskowitz. Urey Lemen, Patrick O'Brien, Tom Spross and regular guest artists.