thePULSEBy Jeff Haynes
We photographers can be real control freaks.
From behind the camera, we crop the composition, manipulate the lighting and adjust the focus. But that’s just the beginning. Now we’re taking control of a Worcester gallery for a one-night show.
As one of the exhibiting photographers and the show’s organizer, I have my own ideas about what I want to show, and how to show it. And while this area definitely has lots of great galleries and talented curators, I just don’t have the patience to wait for one of them to get on board with my vision.
As a result, I’ve organized Things We Project with five other Massachusetts photographers. The show, set for Saturday Sept. 18 at the Sprinkler Factory, will feature my work along with that of photographers Nicole Chan, Scott Erb, Dana Lane, Steve Stearns, and Cynthia Woehrle.
As the name suggests, this event is designed specifically for each photographer to showcase what he or she aims to achieve as an artist.
Each of us has selected 10 images to represent one cohesive body of work for the show. Our six collections vary widely in scope and include figurative, narrative, travel and painterly style photos. Worcester photographer Scott Erb has chosen to highlight ten portraits from his Red Room Project for display. “I’m excited about this show. It’s an opportunity for me to showcase some of my favorite images from a year long project,” Erb said.
This is a chance for the photographers to talk about how we view the world through our respective lenses. I didn’t want a show constrained by a single theme ~ I wanted an honest presentation from each photographer of what he or she likes to shoot.
The 60 photos will be presented through a combination of computer displays and digital projectors. I made this choice in part to save on the costs in printing, matting and framing 60 images. But there were other considerations, too. The projectors add a theatrical element, which I like, and the computer displays provide a relatable interface for viewers. Most of us see a steady stream of images on our computer screens, thanks to the Internet. So the show will feature a variation on a format we have come to accept for viewing photos.
Things We Project is a special, one-night-only event happening on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 7:30 to 10 at the Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St. in Worcester. The show is free and open to the public.
