Photographers Forum Back With First Virtual Meeting

After a long break due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the photographers forum had their first ever virtual meeting online tonight. Using the now ubiquitous Zoom platform, all in attendance were treated, as always, to some of the best photographic work being done in the Triangle today

Screen shot from tonight's meeting

In addition to Forum photographers, attendees saw the work of this months Artist in Absentia, Lisa Cutler. To learn more about Lisa and her work, visit her website here.

Forum members are reminded that we'll be back online next month on the first Wednesday, August 5th at 7:00pm.

Mark Yout Calendars

March 27th is the opening reception for an exhibit featuring the work of photographic artist Fran DeRespinis at the Cary Arts Center. If you're an analog photographer or just love the look of Polaroid prints (and who doesn't!) you won't want to miss it!

Forum Photographers Strike Again!

The Photographers Forum will be well represented at the VAE United Arts Council exhibit: Depth of Field. Forum members Christer Berg, Mike Ligett, Scott McRae, Ray Pfeiffer, and Eric Saunders have each had work juried into the show!.

Untitled #29, from the series Restless Eyes
(c) Ray Pfeiffer

The exhibit opens on First Friday, August 2nd from 6-8 pm. and runs through August 30th. The United Arts Council is located at 410 Glenwood Ave. in downtown Raleigh. To find out more about the Arts Council and the hours to see the exhibit, go to their website here.

Congrats to the Forum photographers selected for the show!

Marthanna Yater New Work on Exhibit at Horace Williams House

Growing Together, an exhibit of work by local photographer Marthanna Yater will be on display at Horace Williams House in Chapel Hill from July 7th through August 18th. An opening reception will be held on July 14th from 2 - 4 pm.

(c) Marthanna Yater

Growing Together is a decades-long documentary of the evolution of twin sisters as they move from childhood into adulthood, motherhood and artistic careers of their own. In chronicling these two lives, a photographer discovers the power to redefine her own.

Marthanna brings a special blend of sensitivity and passion to her work so this is an exhibit you won't want to miss. To see more of her work, visit her website here.

The Horace Williams House is located at 610 E. Rosemary St. in Chapel Hill. To learn more about this historic venue, visit their website here.

Photographers Forum Monthly Meeting

Thanks to everyone who braved the excessive heat and came out for our July meeting. As always, we saw some terrific work from some of the best photographic artists in the Triangle. If you missed the meeting you missed a lot!

Once again, we had two Artists in Absentia this month: the husband and wife team of Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee. Unfortunately, Michael passed away several months ago, but his spirit lives on in his work.

(c) Michael A. Smith

Both Michael and Paula used large format cameras in their work; Paula the 4x5 and 8x10 and Michael using an 8x20 and 18x22! With negatives that size, most of his prints are contact prints meaning that they are printed on B&W photographic paper, and the negative size is the size of the printed image. As the great B&W contact papers disappeared, they developed their own!

 

(c) Paula Chamlee

Not being content to stop there, they are also the founders of Lodima Press. A small, independent publisher of fine art photography. To learn more about them, go to their website here.

To learn more about Lodima Press go to their website here.

As always, stay tuned, there's much more to come!

Photographers Forum Monthly Meeting

Once again, thanks to everyone who came out to our June meeting. As always, we saw some terrific work from some of the best photographic artists in the Triangle. If you missed the meeting, you missed a lot!

In the course of one of our discussions, the subject of abstract images and photographing graffiti came up and once again, the work of Aaron Siskind came immediately to mind. One of the most influential photographic artists of the 20^th century, his career spanned over six decades. Again, an internet search will call up an abundance of excellent resources, but a good place to start is at the Aaron Siskind Foundation site: http://www.aaronsiskind.org

As the weather rapidly gets warmer, thoughts of picking up our cameras and heading out for some fun in the sun cannot be too far behind. And for fun with a camera, it’s hard to beat the fun you can have with the “Fantastic Plastic” that is the Holga. No dials, no chips, no batteries, no software required. As a little slice of “Analog Heaven” there’s nothing like it. A roll of film, a little vision and the magic happens! There are many resources available online to learn more but a good place to start is: https://www.freestylephoto.biz/ Freestyle is now the manufacturer and distributor of the camera. Locally they can be purchased at Peace Camera in Raleigh.

 

(c) Ted Orland

And speaking of getting outside, clear your calendars on October 6^th. The Forum will once again venture out on a photo safari. We did this last June and it was a blast! It was a little hot last summer so we’re anticipating it will be a little cooler this fall. Stay tuned for more details as the date gets closer.

 

(c) Michael Bryant

We had a record number of Artist’s in Absentia this month with 5. Each artist is, or has, used the Holga extensively in their work. Along with their websites, they are:

Jennifer Henriksen (HolgaJen)

http://holgajen.com/home

 

(c) Jennifer Henriksen

Michael Bryant (Met him a couple years ago at Artsplosure in Raleigh)

http://www.michael-bryant.com

Ted Orland

No longer has a website but google him. It’s worth the effort. (Ted is also the author of 2 books on being a working artist. They’re both terrific books. Check them out!)

 

(c) Michelle Bates

Michelle Bates (She literally wrote the book on using Plastic Cameras)

http://www.michellebates.net/

Yours truly

www.pfeifferphoto.com

 

(c) Ray Pfeiffer

Each artist is using the Holga in different ways to reflect their own creative vision. Check them out!

As always, there is much more to come, so stay tuned!

Forum Member Tricia McKellar to Speak at Cary Photographic Artists Meeting

Whatever you had planned for the evening of July 24th will have to wait because Forum member Tricia McKellar will be speaking at the Cary Photographic Artists meeting that night!

Tricia will be presenting her program: “Exploring Your Creativity with iPhone Videography”! Anyone who’s been paying attention to her latest work will know they are in for a treat.

The Cary Photographic Artists meet at 7:00pm the Cary Theatre, 122 E. Chatham St. Get there early because you won't want to miss a minute.

And while you’re there, consider joining the Cary photo group. They are a great group that puts on terrific programming. To find out more, go to their website here.

You can see more of Tricia's work on her website here.

Photographers Forum Meeting Night

Thanks to everyone who came out to our May meeting. As always, we saw some terrific work from some of the best photographic artists in the Triangle. If you missed the meeting you missed a lot!

(c) David H. Gibson

We had two Artist’s in Absentia this month: David H. Gibson and Kenro Izu. David Gibson works in a number of film formats but I chose to highlight his panorama landscapes. This led to a very interesting discussion on what makes a landscape a landscape. (Thanks Linda!) To see more of his work check out his website:  www.davidhgibson.com/

Kenro Izu is a photographer working mostly with large format film. He works in several “traditional” printing processes such as platinum and cyanotypes, sometimes combining them for a deep and elegant effect. I chose work from each of those portfolios as well as work from his most recent monograph: Eternal Light. You can see more of this work at his website: http://kenroizu.com

(c) Kenro Izu

Thanks also go out to everyone who stopped into the open house at Bonded Llama this past weekend to support Teresa and Tricia. This is what our community is all about! My apologies for not getting a notice posted in time. I promise to do better next time. And congrats to Teresa on the sale of her tulip print at the open house. It was a beautifully executed print, and we saw it here at the Forum first!  When I say if you miss a meeting you miss a lot, I’m not kidding...

And speaking of community, we had a terrific discussion on what a "community" of photographic artists might look like and what it means to be a part of one. Whether we realize it or not, we have created one with the Photographers Forum. We are a collective of very talented and very passionate artists who are wiling to take time to share, to learn, and to grow as photographers. That makes the group as special as it is rare. So, as we begin our 9th year as a group, let us never forget to celebrate how lucky we are to share our journey with such an incredible group of artists.

As always, there's much more to come so stay tuned!!!

Photographers Forum Meeting Night

Thanks to everyone who came out to tonight's Forum meeting. As always, we saw some terrific work from some of the most talented artists in the Triangle. If you missed it, you missed a lot!

(c) Craig Ferroggiaro

We had two Artist’s in Absentia this month: Mark Power and Craig Ferroggiaro. Both are documentary photographers but are quite different in style and approach. We talk often about styles of photography and the types of work that seem more “popular” (read: more likely to be juried into exhibits) than others.

But is that really what it is?

I think that the issue is less about “popularity” than it is about creating work that stands out from the crowd. Documentary work is probably the easiest type of photography for artists to produce. After all, isn’t that why many of us pick up a camera to being with? To record our lives for posterity? To remember? I have a camera. I carry it with me. I take photos of people and things as I go. That’s not so hard. Right?

Except that to create meaningful work, regardless of genre, it is hard.

Why? Because, for one thing, everything’s been done to death… Everyone with a camera is out doing what everyone else is doing.

So, what to do?

(c) Mark Power

 

Keep making images! The only way to improve your work is to keep making it.

To quote Harry Callahan: “I guess I’ve shot about 40,000 negatives and of these I have about 800 pictures I like.”

That’s a pretty good crop.

And while you make art, share it. Get it out in the world. Get feedback. Take what’s useful and discard the rest.

How will you know the difference? Don’t worry, after you engage for a while, it will start to make more sense. But only if you keep doing it.

While trends in taste come and go, there’s a reason that, after over a hundred years, the chocolate chip cookie is still the most popular baked good in the world. While you may find them everywhere, when they’re very good, they’re very satisfying…

Both photographers have great websites with a lot of images. For Mark Power, go here. For Craig Ferroggiaro, go here.

I hope to see many of you at our next meeting!

 

Photographers Forum Night Out!

Once again members of the Photographers Forum head out on the town and this time to Vic's Italian Restaurant. As always a great time was had by all.

Another fine time had by all!!!

 Thanks again to John for making it happen. We've been to Vic's a few times and have not been disappointed. Check out their website here.

Stay tuned for more Forum activities and updates!!!

Photographers Fourm Kicks Off 2019!

The Photographers Forum got off to a great start in the New Year with their first meeting in 2019. As always, we saw some terrific work by some of the best photographers working in the Triangle.

Photo artist Linda Wright presents her work during the January Photographers Forum

This months’ artist in absentia was George Tice. He has no website unfortunately, but just do a search and you will be justly rewarded.

In the course of our reviews a couple of subjects came up and I mentioned a couple of artists whose work might be of interest to anyone wishing to follow up.

The first subject was drone photography. With any new technology it’s easy to fall into the trap of creating work that’s little more than a cliché. I mentioned the work of Bill Schwab who is doing some really terrific work with drones. Check out his website: http://www.billschwab.com His drone work is in the The Human Stain portfolio. It’s a new portfolio and he doesn’t have a lot of images up yet, but you can see he’s making great use of the technology, not the other way around. You can see more drone images (and a lot of other great work) on his InstaGram feed: https://www.instagram.com/bill_schwab/

We also talked about abstract photography and it’s hard to think about abstracts and not think about the work of Aaron Siskind. One of the most influential photographic artists of the 20^th century, his career spanned over six decades. Again, an internet search will call up an abundance of excellent resources, but a good place to start is at the Aaron Siskind Foundation site: http://www.aaronsiskind.org/

 

All in all, a great way to start off the New Year! Stay tuned. As always there's much more to come...

 

 

 

 

 

Click! Festival First Friday!

The 2018 Click! Festival is off and running and First Friday is full of possibilities!

There is a great show at VAE which you won't want to miss and right next door at 311 Gallery is work by Barbara and Mike Guin.

(c) Barbara Guin

 

(c) Mike Guin

The show is titled: “The Focus.. on The Road Less Traveled.  - The road less traveled is both a literal and metaphorical byway traversed over land or via the power of thought.  Far removed from interstates and mainstream social norms, it may lead us to images of non-conformity and independent thinking; uncommon perspectives; the natural beauty and remoteness of hinterlands; or the crumbling remains of days gone by."

Don't miss the opportunity to get out and see some terrific work by two terrific artists!

Be sure to check out the Click! website for more information on everything going on for the remainder of this years festival!

The Image Salon to Exhibit at Halle Cultural Arts Center

The Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex will be the venue for the next exhibit of The Image Salon. Titled: "In the footsteps of..." the show will open on July 23rd and run through August 31st. The opening reception will be on July 27th from 6pm - 8pm.

(c) Michael Ligett

For this exhibit, each artist will select a photographer whose work they admire, and from that inspiration will create work of their own. Hence: "In the footsteps of..."

(c) Michael Liggett

The Image Salon is a group of 8 diverse local photographers in the Triangle (Raleigh, NC) area. They came together to advance their own photography as well as each of the other members, by sharing their knowledge and meeting on a regular basis to critique the current work of each of the individual artists.

Although each member has their own unique perspective, their ability to share their experience in every aspect of photography, from concept to exhibition in a spirit of collaboration, has led to deep personal and professional connections and fostered a friendly environment in which to grow their own photographic vision.

To learn more about The Image Salon, visit their website here.

This is a terrific concept assembled by an exceptional group of artists. This will be one show you won't want to miss!

New Photographers Forum Exhibit to Open on First Friday Raleigh!

The Photographers Forum at VAE Raleigh open their latest exhibit: Structure this Friday at Litmus Gallery, 312 W. Cabarrus Street in Raleigh. 12 of the exhibiting members have work in the show.

The opening party starts at 7:00 pm. Don't miss out on an opportunity to see some outstanding work and support local artists!

Exhibit Opening UNC Chapel Hill

This Tuesday. March 27th will be the opening of "The Joy is in the Going": Bayard Wootten Photographs North Carolina and the South. Forum Member Stephen Fletcher will also be speaking. Festivities begin at 5:00 at the Pleasants Family Assembly Room of the Wilson Library.

 

 

 

This promises to be a terrific evening. Don't miss it!

 

 



 



Photographers Forum Meeting Night

Tonight was the July meeting of the Photographers Forum at VAE and as always there was terrific work presented along with great conversation. Extra thanks go out to everyone who brought snacks and refreshments.

Tonight's Artist in Absentia was Elliott Erwitt. Erwitt is best known for his witty and insightful images of everyday life. A member of Magnum, he is a master of the 'decisive moment", and a film maker as well. To learn more about him and his work, visit his website here.

Also part of the conversation tonight was a discussion on the "Why?" of our artistic journey. We often allow so much of our time to be taken up with the "how?", we don't often consider the "Why?".

For each person the answer will be different, but the over-arching principle, the foundation of everything we do, must include: HAVING FUN!!!

Samuel Beckett expressed this idea quite well in his directive to "dance first, think later".

If we think back I'm sure we can all remember a time when picking up a camera was an act of excitement and wonder. Watching a print come up in the developer (for those of us that go back that far), opening a packet of prints from the lab, or opening up your files on the big screen. Realizing that you "got the shot"!

These are among the moments that make the all the effort so eminently worth while.

So let's not ever lose that sense of joy and excitement that caused us to fall in love with photography in the first place. And continue to share those moments with the rest of the world.

The next Forum meeting will be August 2nd. 7:00pm at VAE, 309 W. Martin St. Raleigh. I hope to see you all there!

KickStarter Campaign for Christer Bergs New Book is Underway!

As those of us who attend meetings regularly will know, our own Christer Berg has been working diligently on his Fabric of Raleigh/Fabric of Durham project for the last couple of years. We've all had the privilege of viewing prints of the work as he's been creating them, and they are amazing! We've also seen the outtakes and behind the scenes images. In short, we've had a front row seat to the creation of a terrific body of work.

Well, now we have the opportunity to help him share his project with the rest of the world by pre-ordering a copy at his KickStarter page here.

Produced in association with Horse & Buggy Press in Durham, it will be a high-quality hardcover book with 45 full-page portraits - from firefighters to pastors, from baristas to cobblers, and from urban farmers to construction workers - plus behind the scenes photos, stories, and quotes. For regular Forum attendees, we've seen many of these images and know they are fantastic!

The book will also feature essays by Liza Roberts, the Editor and General Manager of Walter Magazine; Roylee Duvall, gallery director at Through This Lens Gallery; and Roger Manley, director of the Gregg Museum of Art and Design.

So you are invited to take advantage of a pre-production discount of $20 if you order now. Don't pass up a great opportunity to own a collection of extraordinary work and support the efforts of a truly gifted photographer.

 

 

Forum Artist Tricia McKellar Takes 2nd Place in SCOPE Exhibit!!!

Forum artists are no strangers to receiving recognition for their work, and Tricia McKellar is the latest member to be honored. Her piece, Landscape + Memory, took 2nd Place in the annual VAE SCOPE exhibit!



Landscape + Memory (c) Tricia McKellar



To regular Forum Members, it comes as no surprise that Tricia would be recognized for her work. She has a wonderful aesthetic and is creating a wonderful body of work. We are fortunate to have her as a member.

Congratulations to Tricia for an honor well deserved!

Photographers Forum 7th Anniversary Night Out

The Photographers Forum celebrated their 7th anniversary with an evening at Simply Crepes in North Raleigh. Located at Lafayette Village a great time was had by all! Thanks to John for making the arrangements. The meal was terrific and the conversation even more so.

Another great night out for the Photographers Forum!

The Forum has accomplished quite a lot over the past 7 years and has a lot more planned for the future. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the groups success!

Another Photographers Forum Night on the Town!

Once again Forum members venture out for a night on the town. This time our location was Bittersweet in Raleigh (116 E. Martin St.). In case you didn't know. Bittersweet is a desert and cocktail only restaurant. Yes, that's right... deserts and cocktails ONLY!!! (Really, if you think about it, what more do you need? Cosmically speaking, life is way too short, so let's just cut to the chase.)

The Photographers Forum once again out and about!

Thanks again to John for organizing the outing. A fantastic time was had by all, even though as each desert was served, the person on either side was suddenly overcome with "desert envy", a rare but sometimes debilitating disease for which another desert is the only known cure.

Thanks also to the staff at Bittersweet for the exceptional food and hospitality. If you haven't been there, you're missing out! Check out their website here.