In a celebration of creativity and skill, Camera Rochester is presenting its annual photography exhibition entitled Excellence 2024! Showcasing the work of talented members, the exhibition offers a captivating visual feast for photography enthusiasts and art lovers alike. President Lisa Cook and Vice President Dennis Adams explain that Camera Rochester’s Excellence 2024! showcases the full range of creative photographic talent in the group. “Varied subject matter and degree of abstraction reflect a worldwide interest in the capabilities of continued artistic and technological growth. Each member’s personal growth and strengths can be seen in this exhibit.” Additionally, local poet Kitty Jospe’s poems, inspired by 7 images, are on display.
The following Camera Rochester photographers are displaying their images in the exhibit:
Jason Abel, Dennis Adams, Lori Bonati, Amy Carpenter, Bob Clemens, Lisa Cook, Archie Curry, Elena Dilai, Jim Dolan, Wade Eaton, John Ejaife, Steven Gall, Bonnie Gamache, Flinn Hackett, Jeno Horvath, Jerome Kaye, Susan Kaye, Laurie Knapp, Larry Mandelker, Brett McIntosh, Loretta Petralis, David Ridley, Anne Ryan, Paul Shew and Sandy Silvestri.
The exhibition features a diverse range of photographs capturing various subjects, styles and perspectives. From breathtaking landscapes to intimate portraits, each image tells a unique story and reflects the individual creativity and vision of its creator.
For example, Lori Bonati, who has three images on display, describes one of her images. She says “Fusion Music fuses a piano keyboard with an electric guitar, using the Nikon Z5’s in-camera multiple exposure setting, which I learned from fellow photographer Luann Pero. I liked the contrasting colors and shapes of the instruments, and I added a gray and cream diamond-patterned pillow behind the guitar for even more contrast and to keep the guitar from falling over! I was pleasantly surprised to see that details in both photos remained clear, despite the two images being superimposed on each other.”
Another photographer with an image that tells a story is Susan Kaye. She says, “One of mine is very meaningful to me. It is called Fading Memories and is a tunnel formed by memory chips from my computer. At the end of the tunnel is a blurred image of my son Kevin and his then 4-year old daughter Talullah. It is one of my favorite pictures of them. Kevin died in 2013, not long after the picture was taken. The idea behind it was that some memories of people we lose, fade with time. This is not meant to be sad, just the effects of time and distance.”
Excellence 2024! Provides a platform for both seasoned photographers and newcomers to display their work and receive recognition for their artistic endeavors. The members have poured their passion, dedication and technical skills into crafting captivating images that speak volumes about their talent and love for photography.
John Ejaife, who enjoys displaying his images at Image City, has included one of his nature landscapes in the Camera Rochester exhibit. When he was in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, he was impressed by a scene of Lake Beauvert, which was adjacent to the chalet where he was staying. When describing his image, Mountains beyond Lake Beauvert, he says, “The water was calm at about 9:00 am and allowed for a beautiful reflection of part of the Canadian mountains that were nearby.”
Aside from showcasing individual images, the exhibition also serves as a testament to the strong sense of community and camaraderie within Camera Rochester. Through sharing their creations and engaging in dialogue with fellow members and visitors, the photographers foster a supportive and inspiring environment that encourages growth, learning and mutual appreciation.
Camera Rochester Member Steven Gall truly appreciates this dialogue. He says that he chose his photos for the exhibit after getting feedback from the peer review sessions held at the Camera Rochester meetings. “Having the opportunity for meaningful feedback on photos from the group members is a reason why I continue to be a member of Camera Rochester
Excellence 2024! is not just a display of artistic vision, it is a celebration of the power of photography to connect people, evoke emotions and inspire dialogue. Through their lens, the club members offer glimpses into their world inviting viewers to see and experience the beauty, complexity and magic that surrounds us every day.
For more information about becoming a member of Camera Rochester, visit their website at https://camerarochester.org