April’s Members Gallery features Prints from Claire Carroll and Digital from Minnie Gallman. April’s Members Gallery will be be followed by April’s Forum.
Artistic Statement for Minnie Cobey Gallman
Photography is a creative outlet that encourages me to look at the world in different way. I’ve always had an interest in photography and remember my first camera, a Kodak Brownie. Recently, I found a photo I took of my sister when I was four years old. Since then I have owned many cameras and taken many photos. Some of these photos have documented family and friends celebrating life, while others attempt to make the ordinary become extraordinary.
My primary interest is in nature photography which presents a constant challenge to create photographs of something that is familiar to all of us. My ongoing project is to produce an annual calendar of photos from where I grew up in rural Ohio. Among the fields, woods, and lakes there is endless subject matter. Over the years my photography technique has changed but the beauty of nature remains constant.
One of the benefits of photography is the opportunity to mingle with a fantastic group of people through joining a camera club. I am a member of both the McLean Photography Club and the Northern Virginia Photographic Society. I have served as officers in both of these clubs. These groups have introduced me to ideas, methods, and techniques that I can use to improve my photography. I’ve been awarded many ribbons over the years including End of Year Competition for Best Slide, Color Print, and Monochrome Print. Another advantage of being a member of a camera club is the opportunity to exhibit. Some of the places my photos have been exhibited are: Hendry House, Arlington Library, Fairfax County Center, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, George Mason University, Maryland Federation of Art Circle Gallery in Annapolis (where I was awarded an honorable mention), and the National Geographic Society. My photos have won Honorable Mention from Chesapeake Bay Magazine and Best photo from the U.S. Lighthouse Society. I’ve also furthered by knowledge by attending seminars and workshops offered by the National Zoo, Dewitt Jones, Marc Muench, Eliot Cohen, Freeman Patterson, Eliot Stern and Andre Gallant.
My current camera is a Nikon D300s. I use archival ink and paper to print my photographs and note cards. My latest project combined my passion for photography and writing children’s books to tell the story about a puppy growing up to be a guide dog. “Truman – A Special Dog” is available as an e-book from Amazon, Apple iBookstore, and Barnes & Noble. The print version is available from Amazon.
