Photography show to be shutter magic

Since a camera is only a machine, the human eye behind it is what discerns an ordinary photographic opportunity from an exceptional one.

The artistic eyes of 14 area photographers will be celebrated in Fallbrook at a special show called Local Color from October 30 through November 30 at Pinnell Gallery. Curator Robert Sommers, a local gallery owner and one of those 14 photographers, says an opening reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 30.

“As someone who has lived in Fallbrook for over three decades, I am continually astounded by the hidden talent that resides in our town that people are probably not aware of,” said Sommers. “We have some exceptional photographers and artists that have rarely, if ever, chosen to exhibit. Some of them are professionals; some are hobbyists. Some have won national acclaim for their work. Some are pros; some are amateurs; they come from diverse backgrounds and ages; one is a 15-year-old boy.”

Don’t be fooled by the name of the show, Sommers said.

“Just because the show carries the title Local Color does not mean that the shots were taken locally, nor are they all in color.” However, in reality, all but one has some type of roots leading to Fallbrook,” said Sommers. “I picked the shots and the exhibition will have an artsy, edgy bent.”

The fifteen-year-old, Taylor Buck, is a student at Temecula Renaissance High School. When asked how his interest in photography began, Buck was happy to explain.

“I was introduced to photography about two years ago,” said Buck. “I started off with a cheesy point-and-shoot camera. The camera I use today is the Cannon T1i which I saved up for by doing small jobs for a little cash. In the future my dream is to travel the world taking pictures of things like poverty and political issues; my goal is to let people know what is going on around the world.”

Sommers admits that he was reticent about considering the work of a 15-year-old when someone recommended him.

“When came in [to meet], I thought, ‘Wow, this kid is really good. He really has a gift,” said Sommers. “I picked two of his shots for the show and let him pick the third. He is a very proficient, committed young photographer. His work stands up to everybody’s.”

Sommers originally did not intend to include any of his own photographs in the show, he said, because he has done several shows this year and “thought it would be more fun to celebrate other people’s work.” But, his photographic peers insisted he not only curate it, but have some of his own work on display.

When asked if he is contemplating making the Local Color show an annual art event in Fallbrook if the first one is well received, Sommers said, “I would love that.”

Pinnell Gallery is located at 124 N. Main Ave., Fallbrook.

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Photographic artists included in Local Color show

Martin Mars Lake Elsinore

Accomplished pilot Ken Seals, a Fallbrook resident of 17 years, captured art in motion when he took an aerial shot of a Martin Mars water bomber filling up and preparing for takeoff from Lake Elsinore during the October 2007 wildfires. Seals was flying his Cessna 172 above the area when he shot the image from his (pilot’s) window.

“I was on the way home from Burbank to Fallbrook just before sunset on the day before the photograph was taken when I saw the Mars parked for the night on Lake Elsinore; I decided then that I had to plan to take a photograph of it the next morning. I looked up the time of sunrise and departed Fallbrook airport in time to be over Lake Elsinore and the Mars at 15 minutes past sunrise. I brought my best telephoto lens and circled over the Mars at 1,100 feet above the lake,” explained Seals, who said his aerial photography technique is to open the window on the left side of the airplane next to the pilot’s seat, fly the plane with his left hand, and operate the camera with his right.

“Once I started to circle overhead in the Cessna, I could see the lake start to sparkle from the rising sun in the east as the Mars stirred up the water; I continued to circle overhead with growing excitement and expectation at the possibility of creating a really beautiful picture,” said Seals. “I noticed that the crew was starting those four gigantic radial engines, producing big blue clouds of smoke as they did. As soon as I saw that, I started to get excited about getting some action in the picture, knowing that once the engines were started and the tether line was cast off, the Mars would start to taxi on the surface of the lake.”

“I feel like [this] photograph is certainly one of the milestones in my photography career,” said Seals, who holds a college degree in journalism with emphasis in photojournalism.

Mother and Child

Fallbrook artist Brett Stokes said he spotted this mother/son duo at the annual Big Sur Fashion Show at the Henry Miller Library, which included a soiree with music and a themed fashion show.

“I was greeted by a plethora of very creative, handmade costumes and makeup,” said Stokes. “I was struck at the alter ego aspect and portrayal statements made by this woman and her young son; animalistic and dark foreboding, cheek to cheek. an instance of loving, maternal gesturing, and youthful angst. I just got lucky.”

Tamarack Sunset

Fallbrook resident Mike Reardon claimed the image of a colorful California sunset over Tamarack Beach in 2008.

“I am always attracted to the beach and ocean,” said Reardon. “I was born and raised at the beach and I continue to return to the beach at every opportunity.”

Reardon said he knew, on the day he shot this photograph, that the tide would be lower than normal and skies would be clear due to a light Santa Ana wind.

“To me, this photo represents the beauty of the ocean and sunset as well as the beauty of being alive,” he said.