Last night's gala was very nice with delicious food and enjoyable conversation. The overall quality of the art is excellent. So glad that we are part of this event!
The exhibit at the Grace Church in The Plains, Virginia will continue until tomorrow. We invite you to visit.
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Best wishes,
Gerry and Dora
This year, the fair is being held virtually as aMuse at Home from Saturday, October 17th through the 24th. We and the other artists and crafters will offer special sales and chances to win gifts to the aMuse Art Fair followers during the entire week.
aMuse featured us on their blog recently. Read it here.
Follow GerDora Photography on Facebook and Instagram and aMuse on Facebook and Instagram to get a sneak peek and developments.
We look forward to "seeing" you there!
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Hope that you are all doing well in these unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic. As you may know, all of our art fairs and shows were cancelled this year. We continue with our over three-month self-isolation and keep ourselves busy around the house with a variety of projects. One of them is a collection of fine art photographs we have created with flowers from our small garden we have called “Isolation.”
This year we have been more attentive and have enjoyed each and every one of the plants as they came to life and took turns blooming. As one type of flower blossomed, we photographed it and created an image based on our artistic vision. It was very calming, inspiring, and therapeutic. You can view the entire collection at our website gerdora.com under the “Isolation” gallery.
Thank you for doing your part in keeping everybody safe during these trying times.
We look forward to hearing which of the images in this collection are your favorites.
Cheers,
Gerry and Dora
]]>Gerry's "Looking Ahead"Gerry's "Looking Ahead"
Gerry's "Looking Ahead"
Dora's "Faded Black"Dora's "Faded Black"
Dora's "Faded Black"
One of the things we enjoy the most, aside from creating our art, is the interaction we have with our customers and the personal connections we make. We are sad that we cannot participate in art festivals and art gallery exhibits at this time because of the pandemic.
We were so excited about Gerry's inclusion of three of his images that feature "Cars in Art" at the Arts of Great Falls' exhibit of the same name. The exhibit was to run from March 7 to 29 but it had to be moved online and the reception was postponed. Check out the virtual exhibit here.
We are also participating in a Franklin Arts Center "No Frame Required" virtual exhibit. We hope that you enjoy these.
Thankfully, we are doing well during these unexpected pandemic times and hope that you are safe and healthy, as well. We are content and keep ourselves busy with our in-home photography projects (check out our Facebook and Instagram) and other activities. We are never bored!
However, like most everyone else, we miss the personal contact with our friends and clients since it is our main source of motivation and inspiration.
It is important for us to convey or evoke emotion in our photography and many times we become aware of this in unexpected ways. Last year, at one of the art festivals we were at, we saw this little girl—she must have been like nine years old—flipping through our fine art prints. We were pleased to see her determination in looking at everything, often remarking how much she liked this one or that one.
She was having trouble deciding which image she wanted to get since her mother had told her that she could get just one. And then, we finally heard a gasp! She was so impressed by “Faded Black” that she absolutely made up her mind that "that" was the one she wanted to get. She was so happy!
To see a child reacting this way to one of our images that “spoke to her” was an absolute joy. We were fascinated that her mother was exposing her to art at such an early age and trusting and respecting her child's appreciation of art. To this day, we remember her face and her emotion.
Similarly, we have had an outpouring of emotion at the time of a portrait reveal. While looking at her finished portraits for the first time, this mother of four and small businesswoman in the beauty industry said to us that she had never thought she could see herself as being beautiful and that the experience was a life-changing one.
We are happy if our art contributes even in a small way to make this challenging time a little better and hope that, once again, we can connect in person soon. Until then, please enjoy the virtual art exhibits. Also, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
So long and be safe!
Gerry and Dora
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We brought our studio equipment to her mother’s house and had fun capturing different looks. Yes, we create a studio on location! This option seems to be popular and very much liked by many since people are more comfortable in a familiar environment and it makes it easier for them to change outfits.
As you can see, Maria is a natural beauty and looks a lot younger than her age. But what is age other than a number, right?
BEFORE
BEHIND THE SCENES
We styled her wardrobe from our GerDora Photography gown and accessories collection and did her make-up.
What a TRANSFORMATION!
Doesn't she look like a Cover Girl?
Which portrait do you like best?
Gift a unique portrait experience to yourself or the one you LOVE.
Schedule a complimentary consultation for your portrait photoshoot at [email protected].
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Gerry D’Onofrio from GerDora Photography will be exhibiting all three fine art photographs he submitted to the juried Cars in Art Special Exhibit at the Arts of Great Falls Gallery March 7-28.
Some forty among about sixty paintings, pastels, mixed media, and photographs were accepted from artists across the DMV area.
The Arts of Great Falls Gallery is located at 756 Walker Rd, Great Falls, Virginia. The gallery is open on Wednesdays from noon to 4 pm, and will extend its Saturday hours to 6 am to 2 pm (from its usual 10 am to 2 pm hours) to coincide with the Cars and Coffee event hosted by Katie’s Coffee House that takes place from 6 am to 9 am in the surrounding parking area. The exhibit can also be viewed anytime an artist is working in the Artists’ Atelier next door.
Cars and Coffee is a community event where owners of antique cars, classics, exotics, and hot rods gather and show off their vehicles and people come to admire them.
An award will be given to the “Fan Favorite” of the Cars in Art show at the conclusion of the exhibit. You can vote any time the gallery is open throughout the show.
Join us for the Awards Reception on Saturday, March 28, from 6 to 7:30 pm and don't miss your last chance to vote for your favorite.
For the latest on this exhibit, visit The Arts of Great Falls Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/pg/greatfallsart.org/about/?ref=page_internal)
]]>We are so happy to be part of this fine group that is celebrating 75 years of Excellence in Visual Arts.
There will be a free reception on October 12 from 6 to 8:30 pm. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served courtesy of the Loudoun Sketch Club. We hope you can join us!
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If you haven’t been to the Waterford, VA Fair yet, you should consider going and, if you have, you know that you are in for a treat. This year is extra special because they are celebrating their 75th anniversary. Yes, 75 years of celebrating the arts and culture in the Loudoun County area and beyond. This fair has earned such a reputation that it’s considered one of the premier cultural events in the country! And it’s all in our own backyard.
The Waterford Fair will run from Friday to Sunday, October 4-6, 2019. For more information and advance online tickets purchase, go to Waterford Fair.
Visitors to the Waterford Fair can tour historic homes, walk the beautiful National Landmark village, and enjoy a wide range of juried artisans’ work, Fine Art and Photography exhibit and sales, a variety of food vendors, and entertainment. We have been going to the Waterford Fair for the last five years and we love it!
We, Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography will be showing our fine art photography at the Red Barn at the center of the village. We hope you can experience this amazing fair and visit the Photography Exhibit at the Red Barn this coming weekend October 4-6 from 10 am to 5 pm.
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Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography are going back to Middleburg’s Art in the Burg on Saturday, 21 September where we will be showing our fine art photography.
This time, Art in the Burg will coincide with the town's first Oktoberfest for a grand joint event of art, music, brew, wine, German-inspired food, and games! Oktoberfest will be held from 12 pm until 8 pm.
Look for us, Gerry and Dora, along S. Madison St. in Middleburg, VA this coming Saturday, 21 September from 10 am to 5:00 pm and say hello! This fall edition promises to be a lot of fun!
Get a glimpse of the last Art in the Burg in the video you will find here.
Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography are proud to announce that we will be at Winchester's aMuse Art and Craft Fair on the grounds of the beautiful Museum of the Shenandoah Valley on May 25-25 (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 am to 5 pm. This is the fourth annual aMuse Art Fair we have participated in and we are back because we love the venue, the people behind it, and all the friends we have met there.
Admission to aMuse is free though there is a separate admission fee required to visit the museum and its beautiful Asian-inspired gardens. The museum is located at 901 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA.
There is plenty of free parking. You can follow the details of the event at aMuse Art Fair's Facebook page.
We highly recommend this art fair! Get out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience what some 50 artists have to offer. Oh, and there will be several food trucks to choose from!
We hope to see you there.
]]>Have you been to the historic town of Middleburg, Virginia lately? Saturday, May 18, 2019, will be a good time to visit and go to the town’s biannual arts celebration Art in the Burg on Madison Street (next to King Street Oyster Bar) from 10 am to 5 pm.
GerDora Photography’s fine art images will be on display along with more than 17 local and regional artists of different styles, forms, and subject matters.
Celebrating Middleburg as an arts destination, Art in the Burg will also feature live music from the folk rock/Americana duo, The Glimpses.
A raffle will be held during Art in the Burg to help the Middleburg Arts Council raise funds for a planned 6-foot bronze fox statue. A life-sized replica of the statue will be on display during the event. The raffle prize, a gift basket filled with a variety of local items, will include a parking pass for the Virginia Fall Races. Visit the Middleburg Arts Council hospitality tent to enter the raffle.
The historic Town of Middleburg offers a variety of shopping and dining options.
Oh, and don’t forget to stop by GerDora Photography’s tent, say hello to Gerry and Dora, and enjoy their fine art images. Hope to see you there!
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GerDora Photography is pleased to announce the publishing of Gerry's photo book on his travels through South Korea during the nineties. It is available in
three different formats: The first two can be purchased through Amazon and the booklet through Blurb.
You can see a preview of some of the images if you click on the link for the Softcover Photo Booklet.
Allow us to give you a little background on the book.
"The fine art photographic images in this collection were taken in the 1990s when I had the great opportunity to live in Seoul. Those years made a permanent impression on me not only because I was exposed to a culture I knew little about and was so different from mine, but because the people were so willing to help me, the Miguk (the American), appreciate it.
"As a photographer, I was eager to capture what I knew was a fast-changing Korea. Known as the “Hermit Kingdom,” the Korean Peninsula was isolated from the world for centuries as a way of protection from outside threats. Today, South Korea—or the Republic of Korea—is a dynamic and prosperous country full of contrasts between the old and the new. Although the hustle and bustle of the modern city of Seoul was my day-to-day setting, I sought out opportunities to visit the countryside, folk villages, temples, palaces, cultural events, and savor the local food. Oftentimes, I had the feeling that Korea was changing even more rapidly than many places in the West, and I was anxious to freeze this precious time through the lens of my eye and my camera.
"This project is a labor of love. Searching through thousands of film negatives and slides, scanning and processing them in the digital darkroom, and presenting them in canvas format for my first solo exhibit, was an intensive endeavor that made me relive so many experiences in Korea and my special connection to this land and its people that I will cherish forever. I now present an expanded version of my exhibit in a book format.
"I truly hope that you enjoy viewing this collection and that you can appreciate the richness and beauty of the Korean culture.
"Kamsahamnida! (Thank you!) Gerry D’Onofrio"
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LSC will be holding a number of shows in the area this year to commemorate this occasion. Dora is showing two of her fine art photographs along with many art works from talented LSC members at the “First in Art” exhibit going on at Art Sweet Art Gallery in Leesburg.
Two art receptions were scheduled during this two-month long exhibit, both coinciding with Leesburg's First Friday activities! The first one was held on March 1st and it was well attended. The second reception will be held on April 5th, 6pm - 9 pm. All who attend will hear the exquisite music of talented musician, Mayleen Zha, daughter of club member Yufen Zha. Don't miss it. You are in for a treat!
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ArtSpace Herndon is a very special place for Dora since she has been selected as finalist in this Fine Art Competition and Exhibit five times and won the first place in its 2015 edition.
Winning an award in any competition is always subjective since “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” but having her images consistently selected among those of very accomplished photographers is a sort of validation and a challenge in the progression of her fine art photography journey.
We invite you to view the exhibit and join us at the artists reception at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St. Herndon, Virginia on Saturday, Feb 9, 7-9 pm. Hope to see you there!
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Warm regards,
Gerry and Dora
PS Be on the lookout for our website refresh coming in 2019!
Although most of the 40 plus artists will be displaying their work at a large tent next to the Museum, we actually will be inside the Museum’s reception hall. This two-day art fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday (May 26 and 27) Memorial Day weekend from 10 am to 5 pm.
We invite you to visit our booth at either or both rain or shine events.
We would love seeing you!
Gerry and Dora
]]>It has become a tradition! We HAD to come up with our new Beyond DC, Beautiful Northern Virginia calendar because it is now expected by so many and we so enjoy putting it together. We are very grateful for the great reception.
As the two previous years, this 2018 limited edition 8½ X 11 wall calendar includes 12 of our fine art images showcasing the beauty of our region.
Prepare for the New Year and enjoy a new local site every month.
Get one for yourself and for your friends and family. Good idea for a stocking stuffer for the holidays!
Preview the fine art images included in the calendar here. Order yours before they are sold out!
Warm regards,
Gerry and Dora
]]>Very excited to be part of Leesburg’s first annual “Arts in the Alley” on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography will bring their fine art photography to this street fair of arts, crafts, and musical talents in the alley between the town garage and the backs of businesses on King Street, Loudoun and Market Streets. We are going to be on Loudoun Street from 10 am to 6pm.
Historic Leesburg has become a very popular destination for locals and visitors offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and interesting sites.
The “Arts in the Alley” event will feature 82 arts and craft vendors from the local area, two stages of live bands, roaming performances, a poetry slam, kids arts activities, chalk art demonstrations, and more!
Admission is free and free parking will be available in the Town Hall Parking Garage and the Church Street parking lot.
Looking forward to seeing you there! Please stop by and say hello!
Dora and Gerry
]]>Join Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography at the second annual aMuse Art and Craft Festival at the gardens of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) in Winchester, VA on May 27-28 from 10am to 5pm on both days.
The MSV is the region’s largest museum in the area attracting over 40,000 visitors a year. We went to check it out on Mother’s Day and were very impressed with the museum and the beautiful gardens.
The aMuse Art and Craft Festival is Winchester’s only festival dedicated to the arts. It will feature quality woodworking, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and of course, fine art photography, among others.
In addition to meeting the artists, enjoy food from local food trucks and locally made beer and wine.
Please consider attending this free art festival and say hello. It promises to be a great Memorial weekend event!
Click here for directions to the MSV. Hope to see you there!
#amuseartfair2017 #amuseartfair #amusewinchester
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Pleased to announce that Dora's Olden Times Exhibit of fine art photography on canvas is now open at the Old Ox Brewery located at 44652 Guilford Dr, Unit 114, Ashburn, Virginia 20147. The exhibit will continue through May and is part of the artWorks exhibit program sponsored by the Loudoun Arts Council.
An expanded version of this exhibit was first shown at Leesburg's Thomas Balch Library back in January, 2016. Don't miss this new chance to view it and, at the same time, sample some tasty local artisanal beer.
Join us for the artists reception at Old Ox Brewery on Friday, April 7 at 7 pm.
Would love to see you there!
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Back by popular demand is our new GerDora Photography “Beyond DC” calendar. Enjoy a new beautiful Northern Virginia site every month throughout 2017.
This limited edition 8 ½ X 11-inch wall calendar is a good reminder of the beautiful and interesting places that surround the region beyond the nation’s capital. Whether you live in the area or away, this may prompt you to go out and explore or simply sit back and appreciate the locations from the comfort of your home or office.
Order today before they are sold out!
]]>Save the date! Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography return to Middleburg’s Art in the Pink Box Park on Saturday, August, 27 from 10 to 3pm.
Middleburg is a small village listed with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is one of the last unspoiled places in America. Quaint and unique shops, charming inns and fine dining establishments, enhance the visitor’s experience. The Pink Box Park is a beautiful intimate public garden behind Middleburg’s Visitors Center located at 12 North Madison, Middleburg, VA.
Art in the Pink Box Park is a fun and festive event that will feature works of art from a number of local artists and live music by Crooked Angels. Gerry and Dora will be among the featured artists. This affair is hosted by the Middleburg Arts Council.
Come and join us at the Pink Box Park from 10 to 3pm. We hope to see you there!
Gerry and Dora
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]]>Gerry is having a solo exhibit at Leesburg’s Thomas Balch Library from July 6 through September 30. The images of this fine art photography on canvas collection “South Korea Through the Lens of a Miguk” were taken in the 1990s when he was exposed to this fascinating country and its people.
Gerry says: “Those years made a permanent impression on me not only because I was exposed to a culture I knew little about and was so different from mine, but because the people were so willing to help me, the Miguk (the American), appreciate it.
“As a photographer I was eager to capture what I knew was a fast changing Korea. Known as the “Hermit Kingdom,” the Korean Peninsula was isolated from the world for centuries as a way of protection from outside threats. Today, South Korea—or the Republic of Korea—is a dynamic and prosperous country full of contrasts between the old and the new.
“Although the hustle and bustle of the modern city of Seoul was my day-to-day setting, I sought out opportunities to visit the countryside, folk villages, temples, palaces, and cultural events, many of them depicted in this show. Oftentimes, I had the feeling that Korea was changing even more rapidly than many places in the West, and I was anxious to freeze this precious time through my lens.
“This exhibit is a labor of love. Searching through thousands of film negatives and slides, scanning and processing them in the digital darkroom, and presenting them on canvas format, was an intensive endeavor that made me relive many of the experiences in Korea and my special connection to this land and its people that I will cherish forever.”
The Thomas Balch Library is located at 208 W. Market St. in the heart of the historic district in Leesburg, Virginia.
We would love if you could join us at a free reception on Saturday, July 16 from 1 to 3 pm.
PS Just want to recap that Gerry will have two active exhibits in the month of July; he has two pieces at the Oatlands "Four Seasons of Oatlands" Art Show (July 1-31) and his solo exhibit of 19 pieces depicting images from South Korea (from July 6 through September 30).
We invite you to make Saturday, July 16 a day to enjoy art, history, and culture by visiting the Oatlands Historic House and Gardens and then attending the “South Korea Through the Lens of a Miguk” reception at Leesburg's Thomas Balch Library. Gerry and Dora will be at the Library on July 16th to share our experiences in Korea, offer light refreshments, and answer any questions.
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Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography invite you to the Oatlands Art Show & Sale at the Oatlands Historic House and Gardens Carriage House. The 18th Annual Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show will run from July 1st through the 31st. Two of Gerry's fine art photographs will be on display.
The Carriage House is open M-S 10-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm.
Hope you can make this event part of your summer activities.
Gerry and Dora
Fine Art Images
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]]>Check out their blog where we appear as "featured artists."
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I believe that every era has its challenges and one could argue that certain times have been better than others. I am not proposing that the olden times were better than the present. We have come a long way…. But we need to pause from time to time and remind ourselves about where we came from so that we can better understand where we are and where we are headed.
I love contemporary life but I’m intrigued by the bygone world and the legacy it left us. As you peruse these images, I hope that you will be able to take a minute, take your time, and get lost in each and every one of the depicted scenes. Transport yourself and think about how it must have been to live during those bygone times. And then, take a deep breath and appreciate the past, the present, and look forward to the future.
Would love to hear your impressions of this collection of images.
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Take a look. http://www.gerdora.com/p707809761
Would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your encouragement throughout the year and to wish you Happy Holidays, good health, prosperity, and love; and the time to enjoy it!
Cheers!
Gerry and Dora
]]>Join us for the final Art in the Pink Box Park of the season! Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography will be in Middleburg, VA again next Saturday, October 24, 2015 exhibiting their fine art images. We will join 10 artists at this intimate park located at 12 N. Madison Street, Middleburg, VA from 10 am until 3 pm.
Make it a day meandering through the Loudoun County countryside; discovering or rediscovering this beautiful historic town; attending the renowned Middleburg Film Festival, and appreciating the work of local artists, while enjoying live music. See you there!
Cheers,
Gerry and Dora
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We are proud to announce GerDora Photography's participation on the third edition of the Art in the Pink Box Park in Middleburg, VA. We, Gerry and Dora, will be displaying our fine art photography on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10 am to 3 pm. This has been our favorite outdoors art show this year because we love the town and its cozy park, the fellow exhibitors, and the visitors. Would love to see you there!
]]>Gerry and Dora from GerDora Photography are excited about the upcoming Art in the Pink Box Park on Saturday, August 22 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at 12 N. Madison Street, Middleburg, VA. Gerry and Dora will be showing some fine art photographs not included in their July Pink Box event.
Plan to drive to Middleburg on Saturday, stop at the Pink Box Park, and enjoy the art and music.
Make it a day by dining in one of the area's fine restaurants and/or taste good wine at one of the region's wonderful wineries.
We hope that you make Art in the Pink Box Park part of your summer outing and say hello.
PS "Like" us and "Follow" us at https://www.facebook.com/gerdoraphotography
]]>On Saturday, July 25, GerDora Photography will be exhibiting their fine art photographs at the Art in the Pink Box Park in Middleburg, Virginia.
If you haven't been to Middleburg or the Pink Box Park, we highly recommend it. Middleburg is a charming town in Loudoun County known for its excellent restaurants, shops, and art galleries; and has a reputation of being the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital." The park is like a cozy backyard behind the Pink Box Visitors Center located on 12 N. Madison Street in Middleburg, Va. and a perfect setting for the free art exhibit.
Gerry and Dora will be among 10 additional artists displaying their work on the first fourth Saturday of a series of the four such art festivals. It will start at 10:00 am and will close at 3:00 pm. Will you join us?
]]>It’s not easy to find balance in this day and age. The forces of our competing demands sway us in different directions, and then we realize we have to stop and reassess.
We have been using our Facebook page to update our followers on the latest GerDora Photography events and neglecting our blog.
Although Facebook is very popular, some do not realize that our Facebook page is viewable even without having a Facebook account. One only needs to be logged on to Facebook in order to “like” a page or post, but not to look at the Facebook GerDora Photography page.
Will make efforts to post updates on both, this blog and on Facebook. It is always a thrill to share our artistic vision with the world.
When in the middle of a whirlwind, we stop and reassess. Thank you for your support.
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The Hands Project came about accidentally much like many of the projects I end up embracing. Instinctively, I’m attracted to something and pursue it. At first, the object of my attention is merely a suggestion, and then the common thread reveals itself.
If you observe hands carefully, they can tell you a great deal about a person. Have those hands encountered years of difficult work? Have they been meticulously taken cared of? Are they the main tool of a particular occupation? Have they been nurturing? Every culture values the image of hands and attributes them with great symbolism. And yet, for some reason, they seem to be overlooked by many. In Latin societies it is difficult to tell a story without hand gestures.
The Hands Project is a work in progress that I hope to expand and exhibit in a public place. Would greatly appreciate your feedback. Please let me know how you react to them and which one is your favorite.
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It is common for people to look at a beautiful fine art photograph, or any other type of outstanding image, and ask the photographer: “What kind of camera do you have?” This question suggests the idea that if you have a high-end “expensive” camera you are guaranteed to get good pictures. Nothing is so far from the truth!
A professional camera in the hands of a casual photographer does not make masterpieces automatically while a “good” photographer can take impressive shots with a simple point and shoot, an entry-level camera, or even a vintage film one like my father's Baby Brownie pictured above. There is so much more behind a fine art photograph than the paper it is printed on. The type of camera used is to a great extent irrelevant. It takes years of experience, learning, experimentation, and dedication to turn what could be a snapshot into a fine art image that is just right.
Regards,
Dora
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Many people have widely differing ideas about photography, especially in this day and age when virtually everyone carries a camera. A national newscast featured recently a report on the prominence of “selfies” in our society and how people make sure that something or someone interesting is included in the background of their “selfies” to “prove” they were in a particular place, at a particular time, or had been close to a celebrity or whatever.
How many photographs of our children, grandchildren, or other loved ones (including pets), or our vacations do we carry on our smartphone or are stored forever on our computers’ hard drives? How many food photographs are captured either at the restaurants we go to or of the dishes we cook at home?
With the sophistication, quality, and more accessible pricing of digital cameras and other photographic-related equipment and accessories, more and more people are taking on photography as a way to document all aspects of their lives, including sports, travel, special events, and the like. The spontaneity and instant gratification tends to be evident in the numerous social media outlets and it can be a lot of fun.
So, if photography is so widely accessible, when does a photograph transcend the threshold of a snapshot and can be considered fine art? The answer to this question is, of course, very subjective and is one that has been debated for quite some time. Not only does a fine art photograph capture a particular moment in time and place, but it contains other elements that may be absent in other types of photography.
A friend, who studied art, graphic design, and photography and served in the military as a combat photographer, had very strong opinions about the do’s and don’ts of photography. Since, she has pursued a totally different career but, because of her photojournalism background, she was against the use of anything she perceived as changing the image in any way, even if it was to enhance it. A photograph should only reflect what the lens captured, she said. Cropping in any way was a no-no in her book, not to mention any type of post-processing in the "digital darkroom.”
Any good photograph typically begins even before the photo is taken. It starts with the “vision” of what is appealing to the eye; subject matter, lighting, composition, etc.
Once the photographer considers all the artistic merits of what he/she “sees” with the eyes and the mind, the photographer uses the technical and artistic instruments at their disposal to craft an image that translates the creative vision into a fine art image just as a painter uses a canvas, paints, and other tools to create the finished art piece.
This may or may not be as obvious to the person viewing the image much in the same way that a spectator may not completely realize the many years of training a ballet dancer has required in order to perform moves that seem effortless and natural.
The conversation with my friend was longer than what I can convey on this post but the point is that, after I explained my views about fine art photography, she suddenly had a knee-jerk reaction, an “aha moment,” that “rocked” her world. She was very excited because of the realization that her views about photography as art had totally changed and was receptive to looking at and admiring our photographs from a totally different point of view. She raved about our talent and encouraged us to continue pursuing this art. Needless to say, I was extremely flattered, not only because she liked what she saw in our fine art photographs, but because I was able to open a window in someone’s mind and heart into “seeing” photography in a different way.
Cheers,
Dora
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I love this image because it’s fun and whimsical. The composition and the black and white treatment highlighting the stripes on the socks (hence the name of the photograph) makes it appealing. It was taken during a famous Mardi Gras-type street festival in Key West, Florida.
The matching costume worn by this group included green wigs, bushy white eyebrows, and suspenders; but it was the pattern I saw that drew me to their legs. This is one of the things I love about photography; you can find an impactful fine art image in the most unexpected places.
Many times I imagine the ideal place to showcase a particular image. In this case, I envision a room with a contemporary décor but sometimes a more conservative space can still accommodate a bit of whimsy. Where would you hang this piece?
The Men with the Socks ~ Dora
Looking forward to your comments.
Cheers,
Dora
]]>It is no coincidence that health care facilities recognize the benefits for patients, family members, and staff alike to be surrounded by beautiful pieces of art and incorporate them into their spaces.
GerDora Photography is honored that a local health and rehab facility has acquired two of its fine art photographs to be permanently displayed in their staff’s offices. We are also grateful that this facility chose to adorn its walls with works from local artists, including ours. A quick look at the pieces from fellow artists makes us believe that the people walking the hallways are going to feel as though they are in an art museum.
The two chosen GerDora Photography 20" x 30" fine art images “Cherry Blossoms in the Park” and “Upperville Repose” bring nature inside the Sterling, Virginia brand new state-of-the-art facility. Without being pretentious, we hope that those who view our pieces will be able to wash from their soul—even for a moment—the “dust of everyday life.”
Cherry Blossoms in the Park ~ Gerry |
Upperville Repose ~ Dora |
“El objeto del arte es quitar el polvo a la vida diaria de nuestras almas.” ~ Pablo Picasso
]]>Flamboyan Tree in Bloom |
The flamboyán has been my mother’s favorite tree and an oil painting featuring a beautiful one still adorns her living room. Puerto Rico is painted orange red during the summer months when the flamboyán trees are in full bloom everywhere and it is a sight to behold. So, I felt right at home when we spent some time in the Florida Keys and saw the flamboyán trees, also known as Royal Poinciana. The general appeal of the trees is their massive bright colors but, for some reason, I had never noticed how interesting the individual blooms were until I looked at it through my camera lens. The bloom was sitting there on top of a restaurant cement fence. I loved the way the light was hitting the flower and how the color was reflected on the cement surface. It is one of my favorite images. I realize that many people are not familiar with tropical flora and some have had difficulty figuring out what flower this is. I hope that you are able to appreciate the beauty of this simple blossom.
Cheers, Dora
]]>GerDora Photography comes from the merging of our first names—Gerry and Dora—because, in addition to being a married couple that shares the interest in fine art photography, we also truly work as a team.
We typically go out on our shoots together and are constantly interacting on what we each “see” as a good photo op. We point out subjects that peek our interest somewhat as a film director would do and are influenced by each other, but ultimately, we go “on our own together” and do our thing. This is where our unique points of view kick in. It is always fun to come back from the field and discover what each “saw.”
Our team effort is also reflected in the processing of the fine art images since we heavily rely on each other in getting ideas, critiquing, and validating our individual artistic vision.
Please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/gerdoraphotography, view our fine art images @ gerdora.com, and come back to this blog to see what develops....
Guess who took which...
"Cruising" | "Colonial Times" |
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