Robert Lawson, NCCU Photographer, Dies

photo (c) 2014 Herald-Sun Chelsey Allder

Cliff Bellamy, writer at the Durham Herald-Sun newspaper, just sent me a link with more information. Follow this link to the story: http://www.heraldsun.com/news/localnews/x1596734025/Robert-Lawson-NCCU-s-photographic-memory-dies-at-74

One More Prize Awaits, Winners & News Coverage

I just received the last jpeg for the 2014 Will Grossman Memorial Photo Competition Winners and Honorable Mentions. You can see them on this page: http://www.throughthislens.com/grossmancompetition/grossmanwinners2014.html

There is also a very nice article, by Blue Greenberg in a recent edition of the Herald_Sun, describing the exhibition including notes about some photos worthy of recognition, even though they were not "in the money." Follow this link to read the article: http://www.heraldsun.com/lifestyles/entertainment/x1505312237/Paying-homage-to-a-photographer-who-saw-Durham-through-his-lens

The exhibition will be on display through May 10, 2014. One thing to think about: You can participate next year. In only two years, this has become a popular and respected opportunity for the Triangle community to show their art and test the waters for both expert and public opinion. Also, please vote for your favorite entry if you have not already done so. There is one last prize to be awarded: The Peoples' Choice Award for 2014. The photographer whose photograph receives the most votes wins recognition and a $100 prize.

Ami Vitale and Giant Pandas

Photographer Ami Vitale, who has shown her photographs twice at Through This Lens, is in the news for her work documenting efforts to sustain the Giant Panda population in China. I've just received two different links to some of those photos:
 http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2014/apr/23/inside-the-giant-panda-research-centre-in-pictures and also via Time Magazine Lightbox if you prefer.

Ami not only has striking images, but she is also a Nikon Ambassador and has done much work with The Nature Conservancy and National Geographic. If you don't know her work, or if you do, the panda photos are worth a look.

Thanks to Friends

Jim Kellough, and his wife Eleanor Mills deserve special thanks from me for the times they have saved the bacon at Through This Lens. As recently as last Saturday Jim answered the call to help with the last minute scramble to pull things together just before guests began to arrive. They are both true and generous friends, and I appreciate what they have done many times. When you see pictures on the walls, or information tags, or even table cloths please be aware that it might have been thanks to the hands of those good friends.

Bill Pope Wins 2014 Will Grossman Award

Bill Pope wins 2014 Will Grossman Award

Photographer Bill Pope, a regular at the Durham Farmers' Market, and long-time photographer raises his hand as Roylee Duvall announces the Will Grossman Award. This was only part of the award ceremony and opening reception for the 2nd Will Grossman Memorial Photo Competition. As you can see, there was quite a crowd, all excited to hear the winners for 2014.

Thank you to The Grossman family, especially Lynne Grossman, and her friends Rose Mills and her husband along with all the other Grossman family members and friends that help support this event. Let us not forget that the competition was created in order to remember Will Grossman and his devotion to photography, and other arts in the community. More details will be added to our web site soon. Special Thanks for Todd Tinkham for the photo.

Bernard Herman's Work in His Own Words

Another video about Dr. Herman's work is now available. This one was created by Todd Tinkham just before the exhibition for went on display at Through This Lens, and has been shown several times at the gallery. The entire video is just over 7 minutes and can be seen by clicking on this link: http://vimeo.com/90427369 target="_blank"
You will still need to visit Through This Lens to really appreciate the photographs, and we hope you will be even more interested after having watched this short film.

With Todd Tinkham's help, we plan to offer more videos about future events and artist's statements. Your comments are welcome.

On-line video about Bernard Herman's photos + Will Grossman Memorial Photo Competition

Patricia Murray came by today for a short video interview asking me about the work by Dr. Bernard Herman, on display through April 5, 2014. Ms. Murray also asked about the Will Grossman Memorial Photo Competition. While few like to listen to themselves, or look at photos of themselves, I hope you will take a peek at this video. You can find it at TV Skywriter, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKaEfevdt_o. It will provide some background on Dr. Herman's work, and information about the Will Grossman Competition. Haircut aside, please tell me what you think.

Changes to Website

In the spirit of promoting art and "A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships" our web site has just been updated to include a Google map to the gallery, and a link for a second map to all the currently recognized arts venues in the downtown Durham area. Please take a look at: http://www.throughthislens.com/about.html

Mardi Gras Visits Through This Lens

Artist Eleanor Mills in front of her work

Photographer Eleanor Mills stopped in several times to meet with visitors and discuss her work - currently on display in the main gallery. Late in the day, just before the Mardi Gras parade in downtown Durham Eleanor stopped in again, but now dressed for the occasion.

Ernest Oliphant - Another Artist Gone

Ernest Drawing at Through This Lens

I just heard that Ernest Oliphant has died.

Though he was not a photographer, he was one of the first, and most consistent visitors to Through This Lens. Ernest had a number of health issues over the years but was a very cheery person who spent much of his time drawing. His drawings were like over sized calling cards, and he would leave a new one at almost every visit. I believe it was his way of saying thank you for the friendship that he found around town.

Show Your Best Work in April

Serenity Overflowing © 2013 Chris Ogden
winning entry for 2013

The 2nd Annual Will Grossman Photo Competition winners will be announced at 6:30 pm on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Some of you will remember the great success with the event last year - but this year things, with your help, will be even better. New judges - all of them photographer, and all respected:

• Roger Manley, Director of the Gregg Museum at NC State University,
• Alex Harris, founder of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
• Chris Ogden, winner of the Will Grossman Award in 2013 and a very successful photographer and educator

Prize money is better than last year with first place now $1,000. second place $500 and third place $250. If you would like to read more please see this page from our web site:
http://www.throughthislens.com/grossmanphotocompetition2014.html or phone Roylee Duvall at 919.687.0250 with any questions. One important note: your entries must be delivered on time since the judging will take place on Sunday, April 6th Also, if you are a Through This Lens member you will save $5 off the entry fee. That detail is not mentioned on our web site.

Gunther Cartwright New Work

This morning I received a note from Gunther Cartwright mentioning a recent show of his Industrial Blues series of photographs in Rochester, NY. At Gunther's encouragement I have updated and added to his page on the Through This Lens web site. Please take a look at http://throughthislens.com/cartwright.html to see a new image and updated information.

On another note, I have started a new blog called Dear Medici at http://dearmedici.blogspot.com/

The idea is to share opinions and ideas about the business of ART. Even though Through This Lens is a business, there are things that need discussing but would seem too off topic for this blog. Of course the opinions there may, or may not be my own - and should not be considered part of, or endorsed by Through This Lens.

Snow at Through This Lens

Continuing the odd weather pattern in the Triangle, Through This Lens was closed from about 1PM Wednesday through Friday afternoon because of snowy and icy roads. Bill Pope, a member and friend, send the attached photo of the gallery from across the street. Thanks Bill!

© 2014 Bill Pope

Linda Grant

I learned today that Linda Grant, a former employee and adviser, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Linda had many years experience as picture framer, and shared that knowledge while working in our frame shop. Linda also spent much of her time with volunteer work in the community. I must note that she was such a good negotiator that her's is the only photography that I've ever show by an employee. I'm sure she would smile at me mentioning that. She will be missed by me, and other friends and family.

Through This Lens Workshop Reprise, February 7-9, 2014

We are excited to have the dynamic duo of Margo Taussig Pinkerton and Arnold “Arnie” Zann returning to Through This Lens for another weekend photo workshop.  Longtime professional photographers who enjoyed successful careers, they retired from commercial work and are now teaching photo workshops full time. 

We presented a solo exhibition of theirs last winter called The Ying and Yang of the Outer Banks that received a very complimentary, full-page review by Blue Greenberg, local art critic, at http://www.heraldsun.com/lifestyles/lifestylescolumnists/greenberg/x1733187702/Two-ways-of-looking-at-the-Outer-Banks

I attended a good portion of Margo and Arnie’s workshop last year and was really impressed.  As I wrote in one of my blogs:

© 2013 Margo Taussig Pinkerton

Photographers can be a hearty lot - Snow, freezing roads, slush, ice-cold rain - all pretty unpleasant stuff, but for the two workshops held at Through This Lens presented by Margo Taussig Pinkerton and Arnold Zann AKA Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures - or Margo and Arnie as they are less formally known - the weather was barely a hindrance … In fact, Sunday, the students spent the morning at Duke Gardens shooting the frosty remnants of the snow and ice. After a couple of hours with their cameras, they returned to the gallery to edit and share their work during a compassionate but honest critique.

These were serious photo workshops and serious students. The presentations and activities were very well organized. The students came from as far away as Cincinnati. I've spent the past 20 years teaching various computer applications, yet I gained a lot from sitting in, between customers and other gallery duties. If you were not able to attend, please take a look at Margo and Arnie's web site and consider one of their workshops. You'll work hard, and be happy that you did.

So please join us for this fun weekend.  For more information, go to http://www.BCphotoadventures.com/ThroughThisLensPhotoWorkshop.php.