Rochester Out and About

Celebrating 20 Years of Photography by Sheridan Vincent

At Image City Photography Gallery, we believe photography has the power to reveal the extraordinary in the everyday. This fall, we are proud to present Rochester Out and About, a new exhibit by longtime gallery partner Sheridan Vincent. Through the lens of Sheridan, the city of Rochester becomes a canvas of light, texture, and story—inviting viewers to pause, look closer, and appreciate the beauty in both familiar landmarks and hidden corners. The show is more than a display of images—it’s a reflection on two decades of artistry, experimentation, and a deep connection to the city we call home.

For this exhibit, Sheridan looked back over his 20 years as a partner at Image City and carefully selected a blend of personal favorites and images that have been most popular with visitors. Sheridan has lived in Rochester for years and has been constantly struck by the variety found in such a compact city—historic neighborhoods, the Genesee River and Lake Ontario. He says, “Rochester has so much to offer, and I often return to familiar places to capture new conditions and situations. Often as I am traveling around Rochester, I see something that catches my eye, and I register it for a future camera visit. A stroll in the city center at dusk is always an attraction during Rochester’s seasons.”

Sheridan sees how the light at sunrise and sunset transforms the city in ways that are both dramatic and fleeting.  He finds himself drawn back to those moments again and again. Rochester’s geographical location influences the quality of natural light, which is often considered ideal for photography. The city’s proximity to Lake Ontario creates moisture in the air, which scatters and diffuses sunlight. The lake’s position can contribute to dramatic and vibrant sunsets and sunrises. Capturing those transitions has become a signature for Sheridan.  He says, “One consistent series I have had is to plan a day for the Summer Solstice. I started that series a couple of weeks after I retired and visited Honeoye Falls and patiently waited for the sun high in the sky to illuminate the falls and surroundings; solar sunrises and sunsets have become a common theme. I have done winter solstices also, but they are not as much fun.”

Known for his willingness to experiment with print media and framing, Sheridan continues to evolve his presentation style. For Rochester Out and About, he says that he looked back over the past 20 years of exhibiting at each of the shows every four weeks.  He says, “In early years, Plak-It, a photo laminated to Masonite, was in vogue. In addition to conventional paper print, mat and frame, I have used dye-sublimation prints on aluminum and prints laminated to acrylic. Most recently, I have begun using a “direct print” onto an aluminum DiBond substrate with UV-curable inks. This method showcases a vivid, durable, high-resolution imagery with a subtle satin finish. When framed without glass over the photo, it gives a sleek, no-glare presentation. All of the photographs taken over the last 20 years that I selected for Rochester Out and About, have been printed in this way.”

When reflecting on this, Sheridan points out that his approach when he is out with a camera goes beyond capturing an image. He also is thinking about producing the print to show. He says, “Having the outlet to produce, rather than simply taking the photograph, adds significantly to the goal when out shooting.”

Sheridan is also well versed in editing skills. He says that he has always attempted to have the highest resolution photographs with state-of-the art cameras, lenses and processing software. This enables him to be able to handle a request to have the image printed bigger. Additionally, he has specialized in producing panoramic photos, where he can use software to stitch multiple exposures together for increased resolution.

As both a personal and professional milestone, this exhibit underscores Sherdan’s enduring passion. Even after two decades, Sheridan’s sense of discovery is far from over. There are neighborhoods still out there for him to explore, and stories he might want to tell. And of course, he will always be chasing the next sunrise and sunset.

Rochester Out and About will be on display at Image City Photography Gallery from September 2-28 with an opening reception on September 5, 2025. The gallery is handicap accessible and there is no admission fee. We invite you to join us in celebrating this vibrant showcase of Rochester life.