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