"Focal Point" Photography Exhibit Opens at MFA

   ...from a photographer's notebook

Detail from "Stadelhofen Impression No. 1"

I was honored to have three of my favorite photographs from across the Pond selected for the Maryland Federation of Art’s “Focal Point - Fine Art and Creative Photography” exhibit, which opened this week at the MFA’s Circle Gallery in Annapolis.

The three, two from London and one from Switzerland, are making their first gallery appearances in this exhibit.

The strong, sweeping forms of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and the near constant activity of handsome SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) S-Bahn double-deck trains at Stadelhofen, a commuter train nexus not far from Zürich's Hauptbahnhof, combined to inspire this digital impression, created from an original Ektachrome transparency.

Calatrava's redesign of the station in 1990 was to accommodate a third track for this busy mainline, under the promenade to the left, part of his design in reconstituting the embankment excavated to make way for the new track - and provide the track and its platform with natural lighting from above. I know, very dry to describe, but exciting to take in first-hand, whether a railfan, architecture aficionado, or photographer. All the more exciting if one happens to be all three…

“Stadelhofen Impression No. 1” is making its first gallery appearance, in an archival pigment print on fine art paper. It is part of a limited edition of ten prints.

"Convergence" 

“Convergence” is another large impression, depicting the Milennium Bridge over the Thames. The original photograph was one of several taken in 2013 from the South Bank, with the span’s sloping walkways leading the eye across to Sir Christopher Wren’s iconic dome atop Saint Paul’s Cathedral against a moody November late afternoon sky. The archival pigment print is from a limited edition of ten.

"Bicycle, Bayswater Road"

The following November, I enjoyed several evenings shooting some “Nightscapes” in several parts of London, of which “Bicycle, Bayswater Road” is one of my favorites. Come along with me on the shoot.

I hope you can join us at the “Focal Point” reception Sunday, March 8, from 3 to 5 PM. The exhibit will be on view through March 28.

The Circle Gallery is located at 18 State Circle, just across from the Maryland State House.  The Gallery is open Monday – Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM.

 

"Rainy Night in Glasgow, No. 1"

And speaking of Nightscapes in the U.K., another image from my nocturnal prowling with camera, “Rainy Night in Glasgow No.1,” is on view in the MFA’s concurrent “Stormy Weather” exhibit at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, across Spa Creek in Eastport, through March 15.

©2015 Steve Ember