Winter Wonderland – Color Photos

I Just wanted take a few moments and wish everyone Happy Holidays. Mother Nature has provided us with a wintry mix of weather over the last few weeks. While it has caused some serious problems and inconveniences, I’ve made it out a couple of times to try and appreciate some of the beauty it brings as well.

Many of you know that I am a black and white photographer. For some reason I struggle to shoot in black and white during snowy or icy weather. I’ve been somewhat successful this year, but here are just a few examples of the beautiful color I encountered along the way.

The Importance of Presentation

 

The above images were taken from my recent show at SouthWind Gallery in Topeka.  

Vision
Ever since I became serious about pursuing my career as a fine art photographer I’ve had a vision.  I can visualize my work hanging in a large contemporary space.  The works are very large in scale and presented with absolutely no distractions, so that each piece works in context with the next. When I am making my photographs, I make them with the intent of eventually having an exhibit like this.  It may be many years before I can show in this type of “museum” setting, but I am confident that persistence will pay off.  In the meantime, I will continue to stive at making a powerful presentation within the restraints of the gallery and my financial situation.

Making an Impression
How we present our work can be almost as important as the work itself.  The presentation of artwork gives an onlooker insight into how much the artist values his own creation.  A strong exhibition can portray a level of professionalism, while a poorly presented show can turn people away.  This rings true, no matter how strong the artwork itself might be.   

For 2-dimensional artists, presenting your work usually means choosing the proper frame and matte.  I experienced difficulty making a strong presentation at a couple of my first shows.  I struggled because I made some poor framing choices.  In my experience the artwork needs to remain priority. This means choosing a frame that is tasteful and does not distract from the artwork in any way.  For instance, a frame made of driftwood might look nice hanging in your rustic cabin, but it’s going to turn people off when they see it hanging in a gallery. A white matte is usually best because it doesn’t over-power your work, and the wealthy retired couple touring the commercial gallery won’t be upset because it doesn’t match their sofa. (yikes!)

Consistency
Only recently have I discovered the power and affordability of consistency. While looking at the work of other successful photographers, I noticed a couple of things.  I noticed that most had created a cohesive body of work_ a series of photographs which were linked by a common theme, compositional element, color scheme, etc.  Many artists also created a level of consistency by composing each shot within the same dimensions.  Meaning all of their prints were the same size or same proportions.  Each of their pieces are presented consistently with matching frames and mattes.  I think this style of presentation enhances the strongest images and helps support some of the weaker compositions.  This can also come in handy, because work can be exchanged in and out of frames as new pieces are completed.  It is especially affordable if you work in standard sizes and can avoid the high cost of custom framing. 

The downfall of this approach is that it can stifle creativity.  I’ve struggled with creating a dynamic composition consistently within a confined space. 

Note:  One of my gallerists recently brought up an interesting point.  He said that many collectors and art patrons are leaning towards vertical or square images since contractors are building more homes with high ceilings_ something to think about. :c)

Topeka Magazine Feature – Winter 2007-2008

I recently did an interview and photo shoot with the nice people over at Topeka Magazine.  

As a condition, they asked me to apply my artistic style to a favorite Topeka/Kansas landmark_ The statehouse. Since the Capitol building is currently under renovations (very costly renovations I might add) it was a challenge to work around the construction baracades, scaffolding, and orange cones. Even though I don’t typically photograph architecture, I consider the assignment a success. They also ran a few of my landscape photos over 3 pages.

  

Anita Miller-Fry did a great job writing the piece. I met Anita and her family while giving a public presentation at the Moraine Park Museum in Rocky Mountain National Park this summer. An amazing coincidence to meet someone like Anita almost 500 miles from home. Anita seemed very interested in my work, and she is passionate in her writing.

Jason Dailey was assigned to shoot my portrait. Jason is an amazing photographer and has enjoyed many successes, both at sunflower publishing where he works full time and as a freelance commercial photographer. Working with these people was a very nice experience all the way around.

They were even good enough to let me crash the company Christmas Party!

Topeka Magazine may be obtained for free at the Columbian Banks, Capital City Banks, Lewis Furniture, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Subscriptions are also available for Topeka Magazine.

Photography: Process vs. Art

Above Photograph: “Snow Terrace” by Daniel W. Coburn

Photographers and painters_ We’re in the business of making 2 dimensional images.  

I attend a lot of art exhibits and openings and I seldom hear a painter being questioned about the technicalities of their work.  What brand of paint do you use?  What kind of brush?  How do you stretch your canvases?  Is that really how the sky looked or did you manipulate it with your paintbrush?  It’s been my perception that the average person generally accepts a painting at face value, and appreciates the artists interpretation of their subject matter.

Maybe it’s because the nature of photography is inherently technical.  Maybe it’s because people are bombarded with special-effect imagery on the internet and in movies.  Maybe it’s because photography has been used primarily as a document in news journals and on television over the past century.  For what ever reason, I am constantly answering technical questions about my work. The questions usually center around process.  Do you shoot film or digital?  Do you make your own prints?  How do you make your print?  Do you use photoshop?  Is this image real, or manipulated?

I think all photographers field these types of questions from onlookers.  Whether you are a digital photographer, a master at darkroom technique, or working in some sort of alternative process, people are interested in how you make your pictures.  I have a great appreciation for those artists laboring away in a darkroom, in a quest to create the ultimate print.  I have many friends and peers that create amazing work using a traditional skill set.  I sometimes get the sense that artists working in the digital medium are under appreciated by the general public.  Many people see digital imagery as some sort of cheat or trick, and believe that it somehow requires less talent to create a striking image using digital techniques. 

So I pose a simple question. Is the technical process of image-making more important than the image itself?  Are the tools and processes that we use to create art more important than the message or content of our work?

I’d like to hear what you think. Please post your opinion in the comments section.

“Bending the Light” – Opening at SouthWind Gallery

  
“Bending the Light”
This show features exceptional fine art photography by regional artists working in a variety of photographic media including 35mm film photography, large format photography, digital and alternative processes.

Artists Reception
and Christmas Open House
Friday, December 7, 2007(First Friday Art Walk)
5:30 – 8:30
Wine and Hors d’oeuvres

Southwind Gallery of Topeka
3074 SW 29th Street
Topeka, KS 66614
785-273-5994

Works by:
Daniel W. Coburn
Judith Lennox Sabatini
Lois Kruse
Jennifer Somers
Hartzel Gray Jr.

Lawrence Photo Alliance – All Member Exhibit

 
Please join us for the opening of the Lawrence Photo Alliance - All Member Exhibit at the Lawrence Arts Center.  The Lawrence Journal World ran a feature about the Lawrence Photo Alliance exhibit in todays paper. Click here to see just a few of the 100+ images that will be displayed at this years event.