Guild Member Salon Show 2021

Jay Petersen

Guild Member Salon Show

Jay Petersen ABOUT : Like many people, I took casual

“Crossroads,” Photograph printed on canvas, 2020, 16 x 24 in, $250. This is an ore boat passing underneath the Mackinac Bridge. I have admired the bridge ever since it was opened in 1958, and I am sure I have taken hundreds of photos of it. This year, I got a new telephoto lens: a Canon 800mm with a fixed f/11 aperture. This is the longest lens I have ever owned, and it is capable of producing very unusual images. This uncropped shot was taken from the shore in Mackinaw City. The center of the bridge is about 2.5 miles away, and the St. Ignace shore is over 5 miles away. I did not notice it when I took the shot, but just inside the near anchorage, you can see a workman suspended near the bottom of the ironwork.

photographs for most of my life—usually shots of my family or travels. About 15 years ago, my wife and I took up birding, and that hobby soon led me to take photography more seriously. After a couple of years, I got interested in composition and photography of other subjects, particularly in an artistic way. Starting in the fall of 2009 and through 2014, I took a monthly group class with a professional photographer. Her teaching emphasized composition, shapes, color, and texture. I liked doing the class assignments and then getting her critiques of my photos. In this period, I discovered that I really enjoyed cityscape photography, and it is still one of my favorites. I like the diversity and complexity of city scenes, especially in the heart of large cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. I also discovered that I liked the drama and impact of black and white images. Now about half my photos get post-processed into black and white. In 2014, we moved from New Jersey to Leelanau, and I have been doing much more landscape photography. I still look for diversity and complexity in my images, features easy to find here in Northern Michigan. I also joined the Traverse Area Camera Club when we moved. The club is a great way to meet and interact with other photographers, and it provides a variety of learning opportunities. I have been on the club board for several years now, and I lead the club’s monthly discussion group sessions.

“In Control Since 1887,” Photograph printed on canvas, 2020, 20 x 20 in, $250. This is the control tower of the railroad bridge across the St. Mary’s River at the Soo. The bridge is a working survivor from the Industrial Revolution. I really like the colors, texture, and lines of this old structure. I think it looks strong and foreboding, especially with the dark cloudy sky behind it.

THIS YEAR: This year, I have really enjoyed experimenting with my new 800mm lens. CONTACT: Website, jfp38j@gmail.com.

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