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September 18, 2021 — October 16, 2021
Pyramid Ghost — Barbara Wilson
(s)Light of Hand 2021 presents 37 works by 27 contemporary artists, juried by renowned photographer Jill Enfield, showcasing an extraordinary range of alternative and historical photographic processes. The exhibition features diverse techniques spanning from 19th-century methods like albumen and salt prints to innovative contemporary approaches including cyanotype monoprints, polaroid emulsion transfers, and experimental processes using organic materials. This comprehensive survey celebrates both the rich heritage of photographic craft and its continued evolution in contemporary artistic practice.
Jill Enfield
Jill Enfield is a fine art photographer, educator, curator, and author who has been teaching photography for many years with a concentration on historical techniques and alternative processes. Her two award-winning books, Photo Imaging: A Complete Guide To Alternative Processes and Jill Enfield's Guide to Alternative Processes: Popular Historical and Contemporary Techniques, are used in schools all over the world.
Jill's work has been shown throughout the USA and Europe, including a one-woman show in 6 galleries on Ellis Island called THE NEW AMERICANS in 2017. Her fine art images can be seen in many museums around the world as well as in private collections.
The ubiquitous world of digital photography might be accessible on a global scale, even a substantial impetus to an increased incidence of picture-taking. It is quick, convenient and offers wonderful results. Everywhere one looks, there are cell phones poised to capture selfies and beyond. People spend thousands and thousands of dollars on new digital cameras every year. I confess that I've been known to be among such photographers. But for some of us, the convenience of such photographic efficiencies is somehow lacking. There is an indescribable joy in watching an image drift to the surface of a piece of paper floating in a darkroom tray, including the time and patience required to bring about the creative culmination. These processes require more than the push of a button. Yours is a tactile labor of love.
My heart and soul lie within the creative cult of Alternative Photo Technique image makers and thus, I feel a kinship and gratefulness toward each one of you who have chosen this less populated, less expedient world. In fact, I am profoundly appreciative to know that there has been a resurgence of photographers who skip the quick fix photos and dwell within the fix found in the darkroom. And, as well, kudos to those of you who blend computer technologies with the alternative processes. As I meandered through the many images submitted for this exhibition, I found new inspirations with each entry. Surely my own father, grandfather and paternal ancestors were gazing upon your images along with me, themselves having been in the photography business in one form or another since 1875. Keep going, all of you.
Curious about a piece? Click any artwork image to learn more
Donna Cosentino
In a life dedicated to photography since 1971, Donna Cosentino has been a news photographer, museum docent, curator, educator, and leader in the photographic community. After thirty years of teaching photography, Donna retired and opened The Photographer’s Eye in Escondido, a gallery whose mission is to enlighten and educate the community on the history and art of photography through exhibitions and classes.
My passion for alternatively made photographic art has been an important part of my growth. I have tried many processes and have taught several of them. Participating in the discovery, successes and frustrations, and finally learning to embrace imperfections, is a wonderful experience for student and teacher alike.
This special affection has led me to create an annual juried exhibition of Alternative Processes hosted by our gallery. Artist and professor Suda House was the inspiration for the title, (s)LIGHT OF HAND, referencing the magic made when one embarks on this creative journey.
Over one hundred sixty artworks were entered this year representing multiple processes. Lumens, Platinums, Mordançage, Handcolored, Gum bichromate, Carbon, Cyanotype, Transfers, 3-D, Photogravure, Orotones, Tintypes…this is just a partial list of processes that were seen by Juror Dan Burkholder. Entrants came from across the U.S., Canada and Ireland.
Dan chose the photogravures by Matthew Gammon (of Ireland) for his Juror's Award and I selected Carmel's Matt Connors' Platinum Palladiums for my Director's Award. These two photographers will share an exhibition in our gallery in June 2021. There were many in the running…classic to contemporary in style and substance making it very difficult to choose.
I hope all who have entered and those who view this special exhibition will appreciate and be inspired by the fine, one-of-a-kind work by the twenty-nine photographers in this exhibition.
Donna Cosentino – Gallery Director
