Playing With Light / Jeu de Lumière: An international lumen print collaboration

I’m delighted to announce the publication of Playing With Light / Jeu de Lumière, a 50-page bilingual book of lumen prints by Hélène Barrette and me.

“Maybe we should challenge each other to make lumens??”

“A lumen-challenge sounds like a great idea.”

So began a collaboration across a continent and an international border.

Hélène Barrette and I first met in 2009, drawn together by our shared love of blurry, black-and-white film photographs, often made through a plastic lens or a pinhole.

A lumen print is a form of (usually) cameraless photography in which the artist places objects on top of a sheet of unexposed black and white silver gelatin photographic paper (or film) and exposes it to sunlight. No developer is used, and the results are preserved using scanning because the image is fugitive without fixing. Hélène and I had both made lumen prints before our collaboration began.

We can trace the beginnings of this book to an email conversation in June 2022, which I’ve quoted above. For over a year, we both made lumen prints, showing each other our images and discussing our experiences with the process. As this process continued, it occurred to me that we could make a book of the images. To my delight, Hélène, agreed. Today, that book is a reality.

Playing With Light / Jeu de Lumière is available from MagCloud.

Theme: Dreams issue of Seities Studio

My photograph, Portal, from the series Lost Connections, is included in issue 012 of Seities, titled Theme: Dreams.

This hefty, attractively printed publication includes beautiful, intriguing images made using a wide range of photographic processes, including work made with glass lenses, plastic cameras, and pinhole cameras; wet plate collodion photographs; cyanotype prints; polaroid images in various forms; mordançage; and at least one lumen print.

A free publication celebration is scheduled for this Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.at The Collectors' Gallery Of Art, 1332 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0T3, Canada.

Seities is a non-profit publication, gallery, and educational organization that supports traditional and alternative photography.

Color at F-Stop Magazine

Four lumen prints from my series, Returning to the unimagined, are included in this year’s Color exhibition at F-Stop Magazine.

Flowers for Diane #1

The wordless regions of the heart #6

The wordless regions of the heart #12

The wordless regions of the heart #36

This online exhibition, which is live as of Thursday, February 1, 2024, includes diverse images from photographers around the world, selected by F-Stop Magazine Founder and Editor Christy Karpinski.

Pretty in Pink at Gray Loft Gallery

My lumen print, The wordless regions of the heart #36, from the series Returning to the unimagined, is included in Gray Loft Gallery’s 6th annual color-themed photography exhibition, Pretty in Pink.

Pink, often associated with love, warmth, compassion, hope and creativity, holds a special place in our visual and emotional spectrum as pink carries a myriad of meanings and emotions. This dynamic group photography show encompasses an impressive collection of elegant and vibrant shades of pink. Images on view include mixed media, alternative processes, color imagery, and hand-colored photographs. 

Gray Loft Gallery is located at 2889 Ford Street #32, Oakland CA 94601. Gallery hours are Saturdays, 1:00 p..m. - 5:00 p.m. and by appointment, with special hours (3:30 - 6:30 p.m.) on Saturday, January 20.

The exhibition runs from January 20 through February 24, 2024. An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m., and a closing reception is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. The gallery is not wheelchair accessible.

Pretty in Pink was juried by Ann Jastrab, Executive Director of the Center for Photographic Art; and Jan Watten, founder of Gray Loft Gallery.

Participating artists are Golnaz Abdoli, Stephen Albair, Caren Alpert, Laurel Anderson, Francis Baker, Janet Beaty, Ingrid Becker, Bonnie Blake-Drucker, Rose Borden, Janis Burger, Kimberley Campisano, Ginnie Chabre, Marna G. Clarke, Sas Colby, Kimberly Cortigiano, Tony DeVarco, Gene Dominique, Allyson Ely, Susan Felter, Diane Fenster, Robel Fessehatzion, Raena Frohlich, Ashley Gates, J. M. Golding, Steve Goldband & Ellen Konar, John Greenleigh, Marsha Guggenheim, Gary Hauser, Edie Hoffman, Ann Holsberry, Christine Huhn, Judi Iranyi, Josie Iselin, Candice Jacobus, Bill Johnston Jr, Nadine Levin, Kendra Luck, Sonia Melnikova-Raich, Melina Meza, Charles Moulton, Steve Napoli, Julia Nelson-Gal, Fletcher Oakes, Eben Ostby, Peter R. Paluzzi, Ginny Parsons, Anne Morrison Rabe, Malcolm Ryder, Jenny Sampson, Matty Sarubbi, Ron Moultrie Saunders, Jr, Neocles Serafimidis, Scott Sidorsky, Dean Snodgrass, Ari Salomon, Alex Starfield, Douglas G. Stinson, Michael Teresko, Lisa Toby, Marcy Voyevod, Sally Weber, Rusty Weston, Susan West, Stephanie Williamson, Nick Winkworth, and Yelena Zhavoronkova.

We are water | We are earth | We are sky at Oakland Photo Workshop

My photograph, Before you knew where to look, is included in the exhibition We are water | We are earth | We are sky at the Oakland Photo Workshop.

We are water | We are earth | We are sky, the East Bay Photo Collective’s annual members’ exhibition, celebrates humanity’s interconnection with nature. In our increasingly digitized lives it can be easy to forget that we remain physical animals, tied to a physical body that is made up of natural elements. EBPCO members have explored this theme in many directions, finding both personal and universal interpretations.

The exhibition runs from December 8, 2023 through February 4, 2024, with an opening reception on Friday, December 8, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The Oakland Photo Workshop is located at 312 8th Street, Oakland, CA, 94607, and can be reached by phone at (510) 922-8476. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays from noon - 6:00 p.m., and Sundays from noon - 3:00 p.m.

The show was curated by Amanda Bensel, an international development professional, documentary photographer, and filmmaker whose work supports leadership development, climate action, women’s rights, and social enterprise across Asia.

Impermanence at LightBox Gallery

My photograph, Lethe, is included in the Impermanence exhibition at LightBox Gallery.

The exhibition runs from November 11 through December 6, 2023. An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, November 11, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

LightBox Gallery is located at 1045 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103, and can be reached by phone at 503-468-0238.

Impermanence was juried by photographic artist, educator, and Shots magazine owner-publisher Douglas Beasley, who wrote,

The ancient Taoists knew that impermanence is the way of nature, the way of the universe. Buddhists teach that everything is impermanent, even us. Especially us!

He challenged artists to ”translate that abstract notion into a visual statement without being cliche or trite … [to] make photographs of the concept that go beyond the expected … [and to make] photographs that ask more questions than they answer.”

Somerville Toy Camera Festival

My photograph, The time of breathtaking vulnerability #15, is included in this year’s Somerville Toy Camera Festival.

The festival takes place at three galleries: Brickbottom Gallery, Nave Gallery, and Washington Street Gallery. My photograph is part of the Brickbottom Gallery exhibition, which runs from September 7 - October 7, 2023. Gallery hours are Thursdays through Saturdays from noon - 5:00 p.m. An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. The gallery is located at 1 Fitchburg Street, Somerville, MA, 02143.

There’s information about more festival events at the Festival Events page.

The festival was juried by curator, educator, writer, editor, fine art photographer, and master printer Ann Jastrab.

Water is Sacred at ACCI Gallery

My photograph, Peaceful reminds me of you, from the series Lost Connections, is included in the exhibition Water is Sacred at ACCI Gallery.

ACCI Gallery is located at 1652 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA 94709, and can be reached by phone at 510-843-2527. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a..m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.

The exhibition runs from September 1 through October 8, 2023. An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Water is Sacred was juried by independent scholar, photo historian, social documentary photographer, and educator Susanna (Suzun) Lucia Lamaina.

Gratification at Treat Gallery online

My lumen print diptych, Inhale, exhale #61, from the series Returning to the unimagined, is included in Treat Gallery’s online exhibition Gratification.

Gratification, which appears on Treat Gallery’s website and the gallery’s Artsy page, features a wide range of photographic processes and image content.

The exhibition is on view from August 16 through September 16, 2023.

Sales from the exhibition benefit non-profit organizations of the artist’s choice.

Glitch in the Matrix at Analog Forever Magazine online

My photograph, “My own private fjord,” is included in the exhibition Glitch in the Matrix in the online edition of Analog Forever Magazine.

The exhibition features a fascinating collection of analog photographs in which “something went both horribly wrong yet so right.”

Thanks to Eben Ostby for the inspiration for the title of my photograph!

The juror for Glitch in the Matrix was photographic artist, independent curator and juror, advocate for the photographic arts, and Analog Forever Magazine Editor in Chief Michael Kirchoff.

Still(ed) Life: Celebrating Handmade Photographic Art at Light Art Space

My cyanotype photogram, Mandala 373 (medicine for a broken heart), from the series Mandalas for the Blues, is included in the exhibition Still(ed) Life: Celebrating Handmade Photographic Art at Light Art Space.

The exhibition runs from August 4 through September 30, 2023. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, August 4, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m..

Light Art Space is located at 209 West Broadway, Silver City, NM 88061, and can be reached by phone at 5250-240-7075.

The juror for Still(ed) Life was photographic artist, educator, independent curator, and 19th-century photographic process specialist Diana Bloomfield.

Ember Stomp and Adapting to Wildfire at Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds and Gallery

My photograph, “Many miles,” from the series From destruction grows a garden of the soul, is included at the art exhibition at Ember Stomp and a subsequent gallery exhibition, Ember Stomp: Adapting to Wildfire.

Ember Stomp, Marin county’s second annual wildfire prevention festival, will take place at the Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds at 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903, on Saturday, May 20, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. In addition to the juried art show, the festival offers live music, food trucks, activities for children, and information about fire prevention.

After the festival, the exhibition moves to the Marin Civic Center Gallery on the first and third floors of the Marin County Civic Center Building, where it will be on view from May 22 - August 30, 2023. Marin County Civic Center is located at 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 - 5:00, and closed on the weekends.

The juror for the exhibition was Emebet Korn, Founder and Director of Desta Gallery in Mill Valley, CA.

Ninth International Juried Exhibition at Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts

My photograph, Portal, from the series Lost Connections, is included in the Ninth International Juried Exhibition at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts.

The exhibition runs from April 20 through May 12, 2023, with a reception on Thursday, April 20th, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is located at 118 North Main Street, 2nd floor, Providence, RI 02903, and can be reached by phone at 401-400-2542 or by email at info@riphotocenter.org.

The Ninth International Juried Exhibition was juried by Paula Tognarelli, who is Curator and former Executive Director of the Griffin Museum of Photography.

Krappy Kamera at Soho Photo Gallery

My photograph, “The beginning of hope/The hope of beginning,” from the series The Maybe Lakes, is included in the Krappy Kamera exhibition at Soho Photo Gallery.

The exhibition runs from March 15 through April 2, 2023. An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m..

Soho Photo Gallery is located at 15 White Street, New York, NY 10013, and can be reached by phone at 212-226-8571.

If you visit the gallery, be sure to see the Film is Dead exhibit by guest exhibitor Jim Rohan.

The juror for Krappy Kamera was photographer, artist, and educator Jean “Gino” Miele, who wrote:

When I had narrowed down nearly a thousand entries to just under a hundred, my wife asked me, “What are you looking for?”

“Magic,” I said. “Ooh. Aah. Better than good. A feeling. A big, unequivocal, yes!” I wasn’t looking for “good,” or “I kind of like that.” I wasn’t looking for clever, or cute. (To be honest, there was one exception to this, but it really made me smile.) I definitely wasn’t looking for cliche.

I was looking for access to another dimension. There's a dream world intertwined with this one, and we all drift back-and-forth, never entirely sure which world we’re in. The pictures I selected for the show made me feel like I could see both worlds at the same time.

We all create our own metaphorical lenses and, depending on the lens we look through, we each see a different world. I’m grateful to the final 50 in this exhibition for sharing the magic of their worlds with us. These artists understand that photography — that seeing — isn’t a passive activity. It’s an act of creation. The photographs in this exhibition haven’t captured something “out there.” They provide glimpses of half-remembered truths from deep “in here.”

These pictures all have mojo. Something extra. Mystery. Alchemy. Poetry… written with a plastic lens.

- Jean ‘Gino’ Miele, March 2023

Night Lights Denver

My image, The wordless regions of the heart #31, from the series Returning to the unimagined, is included in the Night Lights Denver exhibition.

Night Lights Denver, which is part of the Denver Month of Photography, is an innovative outdoor exhibition that will be digitally projected from March 1 through March 31, nightly from 6:30 - 11:00 p.m., on the Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower at 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO, 80202.

You can preview the exhibit here.

photo by CPAC Staff

The juror for Night Lights Denver was Samantha Johnston, who is Executive Director and Curator of the Colorado Photographic Arts Center.

I made The wordless regions of the heart #31 using a lumen printing process, a long-exposure photogram made on black and white silver gelatin photographic paper.

Seen and Imagined at Gallery Route One

My cyanotype photogram, Mandala 251 (together we celebrate spring), from the series Mandalas for the Blues, is included in the exhibition Seen and Imagined at Gallery Route One.

The exhibition runs from February 18 through March 18, 2023. A reception is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Gallery Route One is located at 11101 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, and can be reached by phone at 415-663-1347.

The juror for Seen and Imagined was artist and educator Jeremy P. H. Morgan.