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.

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."

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.