Story by Hal Goodtree | November 30, 2009 | Tags: arts, cary, Cary Photographic Artists, chris ogden, nc, photography, vinny colucci
Cary, NC – Last week, we reported on the Cary Photographic Artists juried show. Now, let’s focus on the winner of Best in Show, “Serenity Overflowing” by Chris Ogden.
Mr. Ogden is an award winning fine art photographer and educator. Based in Durham NC, Chris travels worldwide in pursuit of special moments in special light.
“Serenity Overflowing” is a piece from his “Nature Reclaimed” series, which explores the tensions inherent in classically beautiful landscapes existing in the context of man’s land development. The series includes reclaimed quarries, brownfields, factories, and the like, photographed with traditional landscape aesthetics.
This particular photo was made of a beautiful “wet runoff pond” made to protect the environment from a new housing development near Lake Jordan, NC, itself a synthesized reservoir.
Chris counts being outside making photographs as a core element of his spiritual practice. A key motivation is to help his audiences see the extraordinary, in what others might have dismissed as ordinary.
Chris usually prints as large format photographs (typically 2×3 feet to 4×5 feet) in order to provide the viewer with an immersive experience and to reveal the many subtleties of detail, light, color, and emotion.
In addition to museum quality print sales, Chris is a teacher of photographic craft, technology, and art. He shares his vision and skills through classroom workshops and outdoor photo safaris. Directly or through sponsors such as Popular Photography Magazine, he is a sought-after teacher. His skill-sets cross over many disciplines; his enthusiasm is infectious, and his energy high. Those interested in purchasing prints or booking Chris as a speaker may be contact him at cpa@infomatters.com
Juror Vinny Colucci had this to say:
When I look at a photograph I want the Photograph to have emotion, I want it to make me want to go to that place. I also apply some rules to make certain it is a complete story telling photo.
Does the light compliment the photograph? Is the subject clearly defined? Was the foreground and background used properly for the subject? Was the condition correct for this photograph?
The Best of Show Photograph did all of these. I clearly found this photograph was a emotional story telling photograph.
The photographer (Chris Ogden) did an excellent job.
The show is open to the public at the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park. A reception will be held on Friday, December 4 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM.
