Albuquerque Photographers' Gallery

How Does it Make You Feel?

2012-01-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

When you create a photograph, what is it that urges you to click the shutter at that moment? When purchasing a photograph in your favorite gallery, what is it about that image that called out to you and stopped you in your tracks?

Many people simply don’t know. It is that indefinable something that whispers in your ear so softly that only your subconscious can hear. Is it the composition or colors? Perhaps you felt a special connection to the subject of the photo. Whatever reason you come up with, it can probably be drilled down to the very core of what makes a great photograph. How it makes you feel. And because we all look at art through a different cultural and experiential lens, a single image can elicit a different visceral response from everyone who views it.

Take this photo, “Shaker Dreams”, as an example. What feelings does it evoke in you when you look at it?

Does it make you feel nostalgic? Scared? Hopeful?

I’ve had a variety of responses to this photograph. Some people find it a bit scary. They don’t want to know what’s behind the door and the last thing they would want to do is climb those stairs to find out. Others are filled with hope and anticipation. They are bursting to know what is behind a door with such glorious light spilling through its window.

How does it make you feel?

--Janet Worne

“In The Mind’s Eye” Opens On Friday

2012-01-27T13:56:00.000-08:00

When the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery sent out the call for entries for their first juried show, “In the Mind’s Eye”, they asked for photographers to answer the question: “What is your vision of the world?” The instructions elaborated, saying that “it could be surreal or authentic, fantasy or truth—or it may include elements of both”.

The response was fantastic with over 100 photos entered from artists who have created a collection of highly imaginative images, and in some cases, surreal enough to be a backdrop for the most stylized of science fiction films.

Images were evaluated independently by three award-winning professional photographers and scored based on three criteria: Creativity, Technique, and Impact. The judges were Leroy Perea, founder of ANMPAS (Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show), Urey Lemen, a founding member of APG, and Kent Winchester, also a member of APG.

The top 30 scoring images will be on display at the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery in Plaza Don Luis, Old Town Albuquerque, from February 3rd through the 29th. The opening reception will be on February 3rd, 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

For more information visit the APG website, www.abqphotographersgallery.com or call (505) 244-9195.

We hope to see you there!

Georgia O'Keefe Quote

2012-01-12T12:41:00.000-08:00

"To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage."

--Georgia O'Keefe

The Dawning of a New Year

2011-12-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

It begins with a gentle lightening of the horizon. No more than a hint of what is to come. So subtle and gradual is the beginning that it is not always recognized for what it is. It could be the lights of a nearby town or the harsh beacons of a highway. It couldn’t be the dawn. Could it?

There is something magical about the moment when night changes to day. That precise moment is calculated and published in newspapers. The longest and shortest days are celebrated as solstices. Even birds become silent in reverence for that moment.

Then it pounces. Minute by minute the sky evolves and suddenly a new day is born. Each one begins in a different way. Sometimes it’s a symphony of light and shadow blending brush strokes of crimson and pink over a dark, dusky blue. Always changing, never waiting until the camera is in the right place, never hesitating for “just one more picture”.

And sometimes the dawning is cold and dreary. Black drains from the sky to reveal a gray, monochromatic world, as if it were veiled to the eye. Trees float into focus as the minutes silently pass.

When enough of the new light filters through, the day begins in earnest. The wind picks up, birds begin to sing, and people move about. Suddenly, it’s another day.

The dawning of the New Year has always been a time of hope, a new beginning. There is the feeling that no matter how dark and dismal the past has been this day is the first day of the rest of your life. It is a chance to start fresh. Past mistakes don’t count.

But why this day? Why do we not celebrate it on the first day of spring? Or on the day of the first new moon? The fact that different countries and religions celebrate it on different days tells us that it’s not the particular day that is important. It’s the feelings we associate with it. So wouldn’t it be nice if we made a fresh start every morning as the sun slips past the horizon to banish the dark corners of our lives?

Happy New Year. Happy new day.

--Janet Worne

Henri Cartier-Bresson Quote

2011-12-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

“A photograph is neither taken nor seized by force. It offers itself up. It is the photo that takes you. One must not take photos.”

--Henri Cartier-Bresson

Minor White Quote

2011-11-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

“Often while traveling with a camera we arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film, only time enough to expose our hearts.”

--Minor White

Living With Photography

2011-10-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

You have acquired a stunning collection of photographs. Now what? There is nothing more paralyzing than facing that blank wall and wondering how to begin. The good news is that there are a few guidelines and suggestions that will help you make that commitment, hang the pictures and still keep the “Wow!” factor that drew you to the images in the first place.

Start by studying your collection and looking for patterns or themes. Are they mostly Black & White? Do you prefer color landscapes? Or is it an eclectic mix? How about your room décor? Is it traditional and formal? Or do you lean toward casual and unstudied? You can choose an arrangement that complements the space.

If you have one large eye-popping image, your job is a little easier. But a small or medium sized photo can look lost on a large wall. Grouping a collection of photos can have more impact than dotting them around the room. Group photos by topic (architecture, landscapes, rusting cars, etc), style (black & white, color, dark and somber, etc), or by frames (black metal, brown wood, barn siding, etc). And sometimes the unifying theme is its diversity.

This process is highly personal and there are no right answers, only results that make you feel good. Here are a few tips to get you started:

-Use newspaper or brown craft paper cut in the size and shapes of your art and try out different arrangements by taping them on the wall. Or lay the artwork out on the floor to help you visualize the result.

-A grouping of photos works best with 2-3 inches between frames, you can tack strings on the wall using a level to keep a consistent space between photos.

-Framed photos can be grouped on shelves.

-Arrange smaller pictures around a large anchor picture.

-A row of photos hugging a chair rail emphasizes the architectural detail.

-Anchor your art to a large piece of furniture. As a general rule of thumb, a large grouping of pictures over a sofa should be about two-thirds of the width of the sofa and about 6 or 7 inches above the back.

-When not anchoring to furniture, hang at eye-level.

-But the most important thing to remember is; always follow your gut and break the rules when it feels right.

--Janet Worne

Douglas Kent Hall Exhibit

2011-10-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery is pleased to host a very special showing of the work of the late photographer, Douglas Kent Hall (1938–2008). “Precious Metal: Rare Platinum-Palladium and selected Silver Prints” will be on display from November 2nd to December 5th, with a reception on Friday, November 4th, 6:00-9:00 PM.

Born in Utah, Hall went on to a prolific career as a fine art photographer and writer. After acquiring his first camera in the 1960’s, he photographed such subjects as rock stars, cowboys, Native Americans and bodybuilders, to name a few. He published twenty-five books and has taught and exhibited widely. He has won numerous awards for his photography, books and writing, including an Academy Award for a documentary film on the American Cowboy.

In the 1990’s, Douglas Kent Hall produced a small series of platinum-palladium prints. He chose some of his most evocative images of the American West to reproduce with this special process. Hall’s platinum-palladium prints display an astonishing amount of warmth and depth, including a purity of black tones seldom seen in these types of prints. Moreover, the photographer used a paintbrush in the dark to apply platinum-palladium emulsion to sheets of hand-made paper, so that each print appears surrounded by its own unique field of painterly strokes.

During this special show, the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery will display a selection of the few remaining platinum-palladium prints made by Hall. Individual images were only printed in multiples of two or three, and the last time they were available to collectors was over a decade ago at the Platinum Plus gallery in New York City. This will be one of the year’s most exciting events for local photography connoisseurs.

The Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery is located at 303 Romero St., NW, Suite N208 in Old Town, Albuquerque.
For more information call (505)244-9195 or visit: www.abqphotographersgallery.com
For more information on Douglas Kent Hall visit: www.douglaskenthall.com

Henri Cartier-Bresson Quote

2011-10-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

“Composition must be one of our constant preoccupations, but at the moment of shooting it can stem only from our intuition, for we are out to capture the fugitive moment, and all the interrelationships involved are on the move.”

--Henri Cartier-Bresson

New Members

2011-09-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

APG has added two new members to our group of talented photographers.

Tye Hardison arrived in August to replace the departing Peter Boehringer. He brings with him a dramatic and unique vision to the gallery. His love of nature started 30 years ago while hunting and fishing in northern New Mexico. Later, after he purchased his first camera, he went on to photograph the many enchanting landscapes of our state. More...

Mellany Herrera replaces Rebecca Golding starting this month. Mellany’s work is filled with color and imagination. Her vision is realized using digital tools and High Dynamic Range (HDR) process resulting in rich and detailed images. Check back at our website in the next few weeks to see more about Mellany.

We will miss Rebecca and Peter even as we welcome our new members.

Bill Brandt Quote

2011-09-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

“It is part of the photographer’s job to see more intensely than most people do. He must have and keep in him something of the receptiveness of the child who looks at the world for the first time. Too much self-examination or self consciousness about it or about one’s aims and purposes may, in the early stages, be a hindrance rather than a help.”

-Bill Brandt

Hummingbird Photography Simplified

2011-08-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Each spring, New Mexico backyards are humming with black-chinned and broad-tails as they battle over feeding territories and entertain us with their aerobatics. A month later, the Rufous arrive with their bright flashes of red and orange. Photographers everywhere are scrambling to take “the best hummer shot ever”. They dream of the elaborate (and expensive) equipment they will need to accomplish their goal.

If you research hummingbird photos on the Internet, you will find most, if not all, serious shooters use strobes. As in LOTS of flash units fired remotely from multiple angles. While this undoubtedly produces some stunning and sharp images, it is also quite expensive and time-consuming to set up. But there are other ways to do it.

I have never used more than a single flash, sometimes with an flash extender on a 300mm lens, and found that approach is often more frustrating than useful. For one thing, the birds freak out at the moment of the flash and wind up in strange unflattering flight positions. Another disadvantage is that flash units must recycle, which prohibits using the continuous shooting mode available in most digital SLR cameras.

So this spring I decided to try a simpler setup with no flash. The main issue with any wildlife image is subject sharpness. And getting a sharp image means lots of available light. Why? Because you need both a high shutter speed to freeze motion, and a small aperture (more depth of field) to get more of the subject in the focal range. A fast lens is your best friend here. A 70-200mm, f2.8 is a good candidate. Or an 85mm, f1.8 will work well because you can be fairly close to the birds--if you let them get used to your presence and do not make quick movements. I even used a 50mm, f1.8 with some success, as can be seen in this image. Finally, use higher ISO than usual if your camera body can deliver clean images with it.

My backyard portal faces east, so about an hour after sunrise I have great backlight on the birds at my feeder, which hangs on the east end of the portal. This is great for silhouette shots, but not so hot for anything else. The key is to use a reflector. I improvised one out of standard foam board. The white surface reflects the sunlight quite well, but must be positioned close to the feeder. I used a ladder to hold the reflector, while I stood on the second rung and placed my camera with 50mm lens just above it. With a longer lens, you will probably need to be further back from the feeder. Also, it helps to be shooting at a horizontal or downward angle to get a dark background from trees or bushes since the sky will be too bright.

Experiment with different reflector angles, distance, and lenses until you get your own 'perfect hummer shot'.

-Tom Spross

Ernst Haas Quote

2011-08-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

“The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing.

But, you have to SEE.”

--Ernst Haas

Pinhole Photography

2011-07-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

Taking pictures with a pinhole camera is like peering through a chink in a wall and looking into the past. The resulting photos look as if they have been taken at least a hundred years ago, which makes sense considering Leonardo Da Vinci was the first to use the pinhole concept with his "Camera Obscura." The basic idea is that light travels through a tiny hole and casts an image, backwards and upside-down, onto the negative. Exposures range from 30 seconds to nearly 2 minutes depending on the size of the hole.

To make this historic camera you can use an oatmeal box painted black, inside and out. The lens is a piece of aluminum pie plate pierced with a needle and taped over a 1.5 square inch hole in the side of the box. I use black and white photographic paper as a negative, which is placed inside the box (in total darkness) to fit the curve of the wall opposite the lens. The emulsion side faces the hole. It is this curve that gives the extreme wide-angle look to the pictures. Use a heavy piece of black paper secured with rubber bands over the lens as your lens cap. After setting the camera in position for the picture, with a rock on top to keep it steady, remove the lens cap for 30 seconds or so. You will need to try a few times to find the correct exposure.

Back in the darkroom, develop the paper negative in the normal manner (there are many good books that describe this process in detail) using black and white chemistry. Sandwich this negative with another piece of paper (emulsion to emulsion with the negative on top) and shine a light through it to produce the positive, which then must be developed like the negative. You can also scan the negative on a flat-bed scanner and create the positive in Photoshop. If done correctly the result is a photograph similar to the ones you see here.

There you have it, cheap and easy photographic thrills. Amateur photographers quite often ask me what kind of camera I use and how much it costs. They are impressed with expensive gear. I tell them it doesn't matter what equipment you use, a photographer can make a good picture with an oatmeal box.

I admit I still have a few bugs to work out here. With a little refinement and experimentation I could clean up some of the extra lines and strange flares of light in these pictures. But I kind of like them. It adds a little of the old world feel that these images have. And who's to say that the smudges of light in the cemetery picture are flaws in my lens and not civil war ghosts?

-Janet Worne

W. Eugene Smith Quote

2011-07-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

“What use is having a great depth of field, if there is not an adequate depth of feeling?”

- W. Eugene Smith

Working Hard...

2011-07-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

We are hard at work, getting ready for Karl Koenig's show, "In This Place...". The photos have been hung, the invitations are out, and we are preparing refreshments for the reception--this Friday, 6-9 PM.

This show is not to be missed. Karl's work is amazing and one-of-a-kind. He is the inventor of an alternative process he calls, gumoil, which exudes a very organic quality. He also uses the photogravure process with quite beautiful results. We hope to see you there!

How to Photograph Fireworks

2011-06-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

There are two classic images that have come to represent the Fourth of July: American flags and fireworks. Both stir up feelings of patriotism. Both are plentiful on the Fourth. Both figure prominently in our childhood memories. Only one is easy to photograph.

Flags are portable, can be photographed day or night and will hold still or wave at you, depending on the wind.

Fireworks are another matter. Even professional photographers have some trouble getting good fireworks pictures. It takes patience, perseverance and a little experimentation.

What follows here are a few guidelines to get you started. Remember, these are only starting points. Try a variety of exposures and angles and see what works best for your camera and situation. Many of the suggestions here will only make sense to photographers with a basic understanding of how a camera works, but there are a few suggestions for those with no background knowledge as well.

Camera
I would suggest an SLR 35 mm camera, digital or film, preferably one that you can operate manually. A wide-angle lens works best if you are close to the source, a longer lens may be needed for fireworks at a distance.

Point & Shoot
Cameras that only work in an automatic mode do not generally work well. But it can’t hurt to try. Some cameras may adjust the exposure without a problem. There are now several Point & Shoot cameras on the market with a fireworks setting. My Point & Shoot has a Night Scene mode that will use a slower shutter speed. Read your manual and try several different modes. Turn off the flash if you can or cover it with tape. You may still end up with a blurry picture or no picture, but you could also be surprised with a good shot. Sometimes a blurry photo makes an artistic statement.

Tripod
Most important is to use a tripod or set the camera on a steady surface such as a wall. The exposure will be a long one so avoid all motion--unless of course, you want to deliberately move the camera or zoom the lens for a special effect. This means that even with the camera on a tripod, you’ll need to use a radio remote or shutter release cable to fire the camera. You can get away with pressing the button yourself if you’re careful to squeeze gently without jostling the camera. You could also try setting the self-timer. The only problem with that is that it’s harder to coordinate with the firework bursts. Another trick you could try is to set the camera on an extra long shutter speed and cover the lens with black mat board while you press the button. The main thing to remember is, no motion. That also means it may be difficult shooting pictures from a rocking boat.

Focus
Pre-focusing on infinity works best unless you have people in the foreground that you want to light. With a Point & Shoot camera, the Landscape Mode (typically it’s the icon with the mountains) will give you an infinity focus. 
Location
Where you shoot from is an important consideration. You don’t want crowds clustered around jostling your camera. You’ll want to avoid bright streetlights. You need to decide if you want close, tight shots of just fireworks or if you want a wider view showing some of the surroundings.

Drive around at least 2 hours early to scout for optimum shooting locations. Avoid distracting elements such as telephone poles, electric lines, and trees that might blur during long time exposures (although that can be used for an artistic effect if you so choose). It's nice to frame up the fireworks with people, a building or a statue to give the fireworks a sense of location. Look for elevated shooting positions. Roofs of parking garages can provide an excellent vantage point.

Foreground
Including something in the foreground can add to the picture. It could be spectators, an interesting building or landmark or even a body of water with reflections. If you include people, you have the choice of letting them go dark as in a silhouette or lighting them. A nearby street lamp might add just the right amount of light or you might choose to use a flash.

Flash
Those who have more advanced cameras and strobes might try "dialing down" their strobe output while shooting fireworks with a crowd scene in the foreground. This will reveal some detail in the people, but won't over expose them. Look in your strobe manual for instructions on exposure compensation. On a tripod, you can still allow several seconds for fireworks while shooting with strobe fill. Also, many strobes allow a manual reduction in full power. Try experimenting with 1/8th power on the strobe using 400 ISO. But don't forget that turning the strobe off and thus allowing a silhouette of foreground objects, trees, and people can also be quite effective.

Exposure
Getting the exposure right is the experimental part. It will take many tries to get a good shot. Even if you come up with the perfect exposure, each burst will have a different intensity. Digital cameras make it easier because you can view the results immediately and make adjustments on the spot. The key is to “Bracket”, which means take shots at different settings so that you get at least one at the correct exposure. Here are some basic rules of thumb to get you started.

On a digital camera you can start with an ISO of anywhere from 100 to 400. Your aperture should be on f/8 or f/11. Your shutter speed should be anywhere from 1 to 3 seconds, although I’ve seen good pictures taken as fast as a 15th of a second. The longer exposures will give you more light trails from each burst. You can even leave the shutter open on a “bulb” setting and get several bursts in one picture.

This is just a starting point. Look at the results and adjust accordingly. The ISO needs to be low because at higher settings a digital picture will show a lot of “noise”, especially with a longer exposure. The small aperture setting is because of the intensity of the fireworks. The longer shutter speed will allow you to capture the whole blast.

A film camera is similar but you need to bracket more since you can’t see the results until later.

Many of these suggestions may not work for you. Use what works and ignore the rest. Since fireworks photography is largely experimental and unpredictable, don’t be afraid to try different things. You could end up with a “lucky accident”.
   
-Janet Worne

Minor White Quote

2011-06-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

“No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough
for the photographer It has chosen.”

- Minor White

Karl P. Koenig is Coming to APG!

2011-06-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

The images are haunting and evocative. They glow with a life energy that draws the viewer in. Dead fish in the marketplace, off-beat scenes in New Mexico, and twisted trees, “natures own architecture”, all seem to have a spirit that lives and breathes within them. This remarkable body of work will soon be on display at the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery.

Beginning on July 15 through Labor Day, we will present “In This Place…”, an exhibit by the world-renowned photographer, Karl P. Koenig, with a reception for the artist on Friday, July 22, from 7 to 9 pm.

Koenig works chiefly with two alternative processes: polychromatic gumoil, which he created in 1990, and non-toxic photogravure, which uses Solar Plates. Gumoil is a versatile, labor-intensive process using oil pigments and gum arabic mixed with potassium bichromate for its UV sensitivity. Koenig literally invented the process and wrote the book on it, entitled “Gumoil Photographic Printing”. Photogravure is a printmaking process whereby a coated copper plate is exposed to a positive image, forming an intaglio surface receptive to lithography inks.

Both of these processes result in images that are hauntingly old-world. The gumoil, especially, is sensual and textural. In the wrong hands, unusual processes such as these can easily degrade into trite and gimmicky. No matter what tools or techniques are used, you must start with a great image and the technique must be appropriate to that image. Koenig’s work achieves this and more.

“I devote considerable thought and experimentation,” he says, “in choosing the best method, the optimal combinations of textures and colors, and appropriate size for each image.”

After a successful career in psychology, first as a professor and then in private practice, Koenig changed course and pursued his artistic passions. He studied lithography, silkscreen and non-silver photography. In 1990, he pioneered the new—yet old looking—‘alternative process’ that he named Gumoil. He has had work exhibited in Australia, Switzerland, Agentina (to name a few) as well as extensively throughout the United States, including a showing of Concentration Camp Architecture photos at the Holocaust Museum in Houston.

For Karl P. Koenig’s full resume of achievements, including the complete, and impressive, list of publications, exhibits, workshops, lectures and awards, visit his website.

Diane Arbus Quote

2011-06-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know."

--Diane Arbus

Urey is Back!

2011-06-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

We are quite pleased to have Urey Lemen, one of our founding members, back with us after a short hiatus from the gallery. Visitors to the Albuquerque Photographers' Gallery have been enjoying his top-notch photographs for many years. His award-winning work captures the scenic beauty of the New Mexico landscape and reminds us why our state is called the "Land of Enchantment". To view more of his work visit his homepage.

Welcome back, Urey!

Lewis Hine Quote

2011-05-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

“The picture is a symbol that brings one immediately into close touch with reality. It speaks a language learned early in the race and in the individual.”

--Lewis Hine

How To Shoot a Moving Sky (The old-fashioned way)

2011-05-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

A sandstone arch, millions of years in the making, soars overhead. Countless stars, light-years away, burn trails through the infinite sky. For me, this photograph is about the immenseness of the universe and the passage of time. Both of which make me feel small and yet it is oddly comforting. I find myself wanting to ponder the meaning of life and my place in it. This image takes me back to the creation of the world.

So it only seems appropriate that I used a basic, non-digital method to achieve it.

This image was the result of a five-hour exposure after days of trial and error. I shot this on fuji-color film, ISO 400, f-stop of 5.6, using an old Canon FTb camera and 35mm lens. I needed a fully manual camera that did not rely on the battery to keep the shutter open for long periods. Here are some tips if you want to try this yourself:

1. Pick a dark, cloudless night with no moon. Any light spillover will ruin the picture. Clouds will reflect and amplify any light—even light from the stars.

2. Find a remote location away from city lights—for the above obvious reasons.

3. You’ll need an interesting foreground. I went to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. A place like Arches National Park or the Bisti Badlands would work. Even a gnarled old tree with plenty of sky around it works. This is where your creativity shines.

4. Mount your camera on a sturdy tri-pod and position it, paying attention to the composition of your image.

5. When you’re ready, set the camera on Bulb (which keeps the shutter open until you push it again) and hit the shutter release.

6. You may or may not choose to light the foreground. I popped a small strobe several times along the underside of the arch. I used a slight warming filter on the strobe. I wanted it to look campfire-lit.

7. Find a comfortable spot and wait. I set my watch alarm and went to sleep in my car. When the time is up, close the shutter.

8. The first exposure was four hours and the second was five. They both worked but I think the five-hour exposure turned out the best. The third exposure was blown out because of the coming dawn.

--Janet Worne

Ernst Haas Quote

2011-04-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

"Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha'."

-Ernst Haas

Spring—New Mexico Style

2011-04-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

The word “desert” conjures up an image of dry, brown hills and mesas, possibly dotted with small green pinion trees as pictured in a Georgia O’Keefe painting. What people who are unfamiliar with our high desert may not know is that New Mexico’s spring is full of surprises and unexpected intense color. Sometimes you have to get out of your house or car and look for it, but it’s there.

One of the first and most colorful things to bloom near my house is the hedgehog cactus, also known as the claret cup cactus. Now a cactus is one of the most inhospitable-looking plants I can think of. And looks are not deceiving in this case, as I have spent a lot of time pulling cactus spines out of my dog and sometimes my ankles. In April, however, small burgundy buds appear amid the spines and not long after, there are scarlet blooms that are as soft and inviting as the spines are sharp and downright scary.

The wonderful thing about being a photographer is that I find myself on my knees observing things at close range instead of throwing a quick glance out the car window while driving by.

--Janet Worne

Bill Allard Quote

2011-04-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

"I think the best pictures are often on the edges of any situation, I don't find photographing the situation nearly as interesting as photographing the edges."

- William Albert Allard

Labor of Love

2011-04-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

The Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery is not only weathering the economic storm of the past couple years, we have recently moved to a larger space and added an eleventh member.

APG was founded in 2003 as Albuquerque's first cooperative photo gallery and has been a constant presence in Old Town’s Poco A Poco patio since then. When we decided to move we found no shortage of spaces available—fallout from the difficult economy. But as a co-op, APG is uniquely equipped to survive. There are eleven of us who have a shared workload and shared financial burden during difficult times. Co-ops foster a team atmosphere with a built-in support system and the effort it takes to make it work is truly a labor of love. Prospective buyers benefit as well by the generally lower prices and the variety of styles to choose from in one space, including innovative work that is not scripted by commercial constraints.

The eleven current member/photographers are; Peter Boehringer, Robert Medina Cook, Roberto Crespin, Bill d’Ellis, Rebecca Golding, Melissa Lea, Urey Lemen, Tom Spross, Gale Sutton, Kent Winchester, and Janet Worne.

Our new gallery opened on April 1, 2011, on the west side of the San Felipe de Neri Church in Albuquerque. Our address is 303 Romero Street, suite N208 Plaza Don Luis in Old Town. There will be an official Grand Opening Celebration on May 7, 2011.

Come and visit us soon!

--Janet Worne

WE ARE MOVING! – BUT NOT FAR

2011-02-27T17:44:00.001-08:00

We are pleased to tell you that the gallery is moving to the west side of the Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque. Although our new location is only a couple of city blocks from the old, the move marks the great distance the gallery has come in its first decade. The new space is much larger, better lit, and more welcoming than our current quarters.
Beginning April 1st – and no, this is not an early April Fool’s Day joke – we’ll be in the Plaza Don Luis on the northwest corner of the Old Town Plaza, across the street to the west of the Church. (303 Romero St). We will occupy suite N208 upstairs. Served by an elevator and multiple stairways, we’ll be easier to find and have space for you to sit, have a cup of coffee, and look at the artists’ portfolios. Please come and enjoy our photographs of this land of clear light we’re privileged to photograph for you.

We’re busy preparing the space now, installing a new lighting system, erecting partitions, and planning new displays. We’re excited about the move and can’t wait to get to the new space. We’ll have a grand opening reception and will announce it here. In the meantime, we’re still open at the old location, ready to show you all our photos, including a perfect old adobe wall, a mysterious gate, or an endless southwestern horizon in which your imagination can roam, as free as the wind.

Introducing Peter Boehringer

2011-02-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

Meet Peter Boehringer, our very newest member. His beautiful photographs will be added to our gallery in March.

Peter’s attraction to photography started very early in life and he had the good fortune of growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the breathtaking scenery was the backdrop for his first experiments in black and white. He received his first camera at the age of 14 and used his school’s darkroom for processing. However, with the lack of a personal darkroom and challenges of developing color film, as well as taking the time to pursue a career in the healthcare field, Peter put his photographic ambitions on hold.

Then in 2002 he moved to California with its captivating landscapes and discovered the tremendous improvement in digital photography. His passion for the art was rekindled. His main areas of interest are landscape, wildlife and nature, especially in the American Southwest where he now resides.

Welcome Peter, we look forward to having your work grace our walls.

Introducing Kent Winchester

2011-02-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

Meet Kent Winchester, one of our two newest members.

Kent is a native New Mexican who has wandered the southwest – and other places – with a camera in his hand since he was ten years old. That was when his father, a professional photographer himself, first gave him a Kodak Brownie and showed him how to load film and click the shutter. After that he was pretty much on his own, but with Ansel Adams' books on photography never far away.

A trial lawyer, Kent's day job kept him from pursuing photography full time until recently. But backpacking vacations and work-related trips took him and his camera all over the western United States. Working first with film and now with both film and digital cameras, he continues to wander around the west, waiting for the light, and clicking his shutters.

We welcome him to the gallery and enjoy adding his individual style to our mix.

1st Place in the NM Magazine Photo Contest

2010-12-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

"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"

2010-12-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

"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

2010-12-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-02T11:32:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-12T08:58:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-30T15:01:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-24T08:38:00.001-08:00

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"

2010-01-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T01:24:00.000-08:00

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.