Through a Photographer's Eye

Celebrating the Quadricentennial of the Hudson River, "Salute to the Hudson River: Through a Photographer's Eye,” opens Saturday, July 11 and runs through Aug. 3 at RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main Street in Beacon. The exhibit features the photography of Robert Rodriguez, Jr., Linda T. Hubbard, Claudia Gorman, Karl LaLonde, Mike Sibilia, and Brian Tervenski.

An artists' reception takes place from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Mondays, from noon to 6 p.m., and from noon to 9 p.m. on the second Saturday.

Here is more from the organizers:

The camera clicks, but it is the photographer's sense of light, depth, composition and passion that tells the story of this famous river. These six Hudson Valley artists are each unique, well-known and have their special interpretation of the Hudson.

Robert Rodriguez Jr is an award winning professional landscape photographer specializing in landscapes of the Hudson Valley. Seeking to capture the beauty, or convey the emotional qualities of a place or moment in nature, his images have elicited responses ranging from evocative, to spiritual and breathtaking. His images have appeared in numerous publications including the NY Times, and his work has been used by many non-profit organizations including the Mohonk Preserve, and Audubon Society. His photography is also featured extensively by Scenic Hudson, a non-profit organization dedicated to land and nature preservation in the Hudson Valley. In addition, he has edited and produced documentary films highlighting the natural beauty of the region. Robert is a respected educator in all aspects of photography including field work and digital editing and printing. He gives seminars in the region on a regular basis, and has been an invited speaker to industry associations.

Linda T. Hubbard is a photographer known throughout the Hudson River Valley and beyond. "I love to capture the beauty, peace and serenity of the river - its changing light and seasons. I also love to include an element of architecture, a chair, something that states how humans and the river interrelate". A tireless promoter of the arts in the Hudson Valley, Linda is also a champion for enjoying the beauty of this river and its unique characteristics.

Michael Sibilia has been practicing the art of photography for over thirty years and he brings a definite point of view to his photography of the Hudson River. "We live in a country that exists because it was rich in natural resources, discovered at a time in the world when these materials were most needed to fuel a growing civilization. Now the same resources that should be feeding us, seem to be strangling us.” Michael captures this paradox by creating images of the river and mankind.

To Claudia Gorman, “Photography is an art form that I have always enjoyed studying and creating with alternative processes such as hand coloring black and white photographs, platinum/palladium printing, and creatively working with Polaroids. Hand coloring a river photograph allows me to create an image according to my own personal perception of the river. I start by printing and toning a black and white negative, and then paint it with oils. Polaroid emulsion lifts and image transfers also enable me to expand the visual and emotional range of the original river photograph.

Karl LaLonde is a photographer and painter. He uses both of these talents in taking river photographs and then enhancing them, highlighting a color or a shape to bring out the uniqueness of the river. Using Photoshop techniques he plays with the light on the river, altering its mood and image.

Brian Tervenski's brings to the show charming images of people using the river for commerce and enjoyment. A Beacon resident, he is a retired English teacher. And he just loves playing with his photographs and the computer.

Image above: Robert Rodriguez Jr - Hudson River Pallettes