After months (years)? of planning, my Solo Exhibition will finally be available for public consumption!
“Black And White: Silence Between The Notes” is an eclectic selection of photographs that I feel demonstrates a full range of thematic material in my portfolio.
The story behind the title is quite simple.
In my past life, I was an Instrumental Music Educator, and an active performer in the Jazz field. For quite some time now, I have been titling my photographs with music terminology as a way to wed the two artistic endeavors.
Black and White can be looked at as the keys to a piano, and silence best describes the space between sounded notes. I think that sums it up perfectly, and it adheres to the philosophy of “Less is More“.
Compositions that are part of this visual ensemble include; abstracts, architecture and of course, my favorite subject, landscapes, lots of landscapes from various locations and seasons.
There are twenty four captures in total, in different orientations, sizes and formats. Hanging on the walls will be framed, acrylic, metal and canvas prints.
This traveling show will kick off at the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society in Goshen, New York for the months of July and August. If you are in the Hudson Valley Area, it is recommended to check their website for the Community Room availability to view my work. https://goshenpubliclibrary.org/
Then, during the months of September and October, my work will be hanging at the Albert Wisner Public Library in the town of Warwick, New York. https://albertwisnerlibrary.org/
And finally, the last two months of 2026 will find my captures at the Garnet Health Center, which is located in Middletown, NY. https://www.garnethealth.org/
The possibility exists for a gallery exhibit in Newburgh in the first or second month of 2027 at the Mindy Ross Gallery/Kaplan Hall that is located on the campus of SUNY Orange. This is a work in progress at this time.
https://sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs/about.html
I’ve been wanting to do this exhibit that is 100% comprised of black and white for many reasons, but mostly because I wanted to share my passion for black and white imagery.
A good friend of mine (from college) is an avid film photographer, and when we reunited after many, many years in Colorado, I was influenced by his work, and wanted to pay tribute to him, as well as the great masters of the art form, especially, the late, great Ansel Adams! https://www.anseladams.com/
I would be remiss if I didn’t share the link of my good friend, James Montague’s website as well. I am quite sure that you will be very impressed by his work. https://www.studiomontague.com/
As I became more proficient at my craft, I noticed that while I was processing my captures, that certain photographs screamed at me for conversion from color to black and white. I am not bragging when I write this; usually my hunches paid off in a big way. What was a worthy color photo became something completely different in conversion. So much more drama and contrasts were brought out by doing so. And, if I was excited by what I was looking at, I was confident that the casual viewer would be, too.
Black and white photography evokes strong emotions and captures a unique perspective. It’s often seen as more timeless and powerful than color, focusing on form, texture, and the interplay of light and shadow. The absence of color allows for a more abstract and interpretive view of reality, highlighting the essence of a scene.
Themes and Observations:
Timelessness and Abstraction: Black and white photography is often considered timeless and can transcend time, focusing on the essence of a moment rather than its specific date or context.
Emotional Impact: It can evoke strong emotions by simplifying the visual information and forcing the viewer to focus on the narrative and atmosphere of the image.
Focus on Form and Texture: The absence of color encourages viewers to appreciate the shapes, lines, and textures within the image.
Interpretation:
Black and white photography is often seen as more interpretive, allowing for multiple interpretations of the scene.
Contrast:
The stark contrast between black and white can create a powerful visual impact, emphasizing the key elements of the image.
Abstraction:
Some view black and white as a more abstract representation of reality, moving away from the literal and towards a more conceptual understanding.
Notable Quotes:
1. “I’ve been forty years discovering that the queen of all colors is black.” – Henri Matisse https://www.henrimatisse.org/
2. “Black and white is abstract; colour is not. Looking at a black and white photograph, you are already looking at a strange world.” – Joel Sternfeld https://www.joelsternfeld.net/
3. “To some extent, the cult surrounding black-and-white photography is based on nostalgia” – René Burri https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/rene-burri/
4. “I believe that the essence of photography is black and white. Color is but a deviance.” – Ruth Bernhard https://www.peterfetterman.com/artists/274-ruth-bernhard/works/
5. “Black and white are the colors of photography. To me, they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.” – Robert Frank https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/robert-frank/https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/robert-frank/
6. “Color is descriptive. Black and white is interpretive.” – Elliott Erwitt https://www.elliotterwitt.com/
7. “Black and white photography is truly quite a ‘departure from ‘reality’, and the transition from one aspect of visual magic to another was not as complete as many imagine.” – Ansel Adams https://www.anseladams.com/
8. “Black and white photography erases time from the equation.” – Jason Peterson https://carouselartgroup.com/artists/180-jason-m.-peterson/
9. “I work in colour sometimes, but I guess the images I most connect to, historically speaking, are in black and white. I see more in black and white – I like the abstraction of it.” – Mary Ellen Mark https://www.maryellenmark.com/
10. “Color is everything, black and white is more.” – Dominic Rouse https://www.saatchiart.com/dominicrouse
11. “Black and white photography has the potential to make any photographer a better photographer.” – Rob Sheppard https://www.instagram.com/rob.sheppard/
12. “There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.” – Stefan Kanfer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Kanfer
13. “In black and white there are more colors than color photography because you are not blocked by any colors so you can use your experiences, your knowledge, and your fantasy, to put colors into black and white.” – Anders Petersen https://www.artnet.com/artists/anders-petersen/
14. “My experience of learning in the darkroom with black and white film had limitations that were helpful. There were fewer choices.” – Annie Leibovitz
https://www.facebook.com/annieleibovitz/
15. “Black-and-white always looks modern, whatever that word means.” – Karl Lagerfeld https://www.karllagerfeld.com/en-us?srsltid=AfmBOopqNuLoj_KxVWYIxW_5w43U-pVi5kB-jDaxSaBUi3BNdW8iqI8T
16. “Although humans see reality in color, for me, black and white has always been connected to the image’s deeper truth, to its most hidden meaning.” – Peter Lindbergh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Lindbergh
17. “Black and white creates a strange dreamscape that color never can”– Jack Antonoff https://tisch.nyu.edu/clive-davis-institute/people0/residencies-1/jack-antonoff
18. “All the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.” – Leo Tolstoy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy
19. “Life is in color, but black and white is more realistic.” – Samuel Fuller https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Fuller
20. “To see in color is a delight for the eye but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul” – Andri Cauldwell https://photoquotes.com/author/andri-cauldwell
Here is a small sample of what will be on display: Please click on the images to visit my SHOP.
Cowshed Falls Monaural
Atonal Polka Dots
Pear Suite Suspension
NOTE: Elevate your space with museum-quality prints, available in custom sizes and finishes including acrylic, canvas, metal, and wood. Beyond wall art, you can find my work on home decor, stationery, and lifestyle essentials. For a truly distinguished look, my Signature Series features a classic canvas border detailing the piece’s title, year, and my digital signature—best showcased in a premium frame.
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https://hudsonvalleylandscapephotos.com/buy-prints-products/