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.