With over 300 in attendance, and over $5000.00 generated towards the Saugatuck Center for the Arts upcoming exhibits fund, Executive Director Kristin Armstrong declared the event Wildly Successful!!! 

It is definitely THE exhibit to view, and the artist reception THE event to kick off the 2010 season in the Bertha Krueger Reid Exhibition Hall. 

 

Fine Art Nature Photography micro and MACRO images will be on display through the end of February and can be purchased at the SCA or through either participating photographer. 

 

 

Fleming and Werme were pleased with the turn out, but more important is the shared appreciation for the natural beauty of our Lakeshore region.  The Lake Michigan Shoreline  is one of the most  beautiful dunal landscapes in this country and  is part of the world’s largest freshwater dune system. This stretch of Lake Michigan beach and dunes represented in the images in the micro/MARO exhibit  serve as a prime example of Michigan’s characteristic Great Lakes shoreline.  Learn more about freshwater dune systems.

Micro/Macro: Fresh Views of Saugatuck & Douglas

Bertha Krueger Reid Exhibition Hall
January 9, 2010 through March 1, 2010
M-F, 9-5 EST
Opening Reception: Sat., Jan 16, 6-8 pm

Sponsored by:  Pat Sax
Phil Miller & Suzy Richardson 

View anew the environmental treasures of our Saugatuck/Douglas community through these remarkable works from local photographers John M Fleming and Bill Werme. 

Micro/Macro features Bill Werme’s stunning aerial views of the Saugatuck/Douglas landscape juxtaposed with John Fleming’s lush close-ups from the same spaces.  Soar over the river, lake, dunes, and forest then discover the pebbles, snowflakes, ice shards, and leaves.  These artful views capture the mighty – and quiet – beauty of our shoreline region. 

All prints in the exhibition are available for purchase; 100% of sale proceeds will help underwrite the SCA’s 2010 exhibition programming. 

Prints by John M Fleming:

Ice Bubbles

This image shows the Lake Michigan shoreline during the early months of winter when neither the ice nor snow has built up too much on the sandy beach.

 

 

 

In a Frozen State- Oak Leaf 

At the edge of a stream flowing into Lake Michigan, this fallen oak leaf is trapped and surrounded by the halo of black ice.

 

 

 

 

Ice Shards  

This image was shot at sunrise on a very cold morning with temperatures barely in the teens.  The previous afternoon was bright and sunny initiating a thaw followed by sharply falling temperatures during the night. Thus, this interesting ice shard pattern was created. 

 

 

  

Ice Pattern

I was fascinated by the starburst crystals suspended in the ice bubbles in this composition, which was shot along the Lake Michigan shoreline near the Douglas Beach.

 

 

 

Icy Air Bubbles Pier Cove

Captured before sunrise this image is of an active streambed near Lake Michigan (the day after a thaw). The current produced air bubbles which collected along the edge, and were in the process of freezing above the colorful rocks.

 

 

 

Incoming Wave

As a nature photographer, I was attracted to the movement of water washing onto the shoreline and across the rocks.

 

 

 

 

Air Bubbles in Ice Lake Michigan Shoreline

This particularly cold morning I was looking for unique patterns with different shapes and designs in the ice.  This image reminds me of exploring water samples through the lens of a microscope.

 

 

Rain Drops on Maple Leaf

Did you know that when the rainfalls on the underside of a fallen leaf the raindrops remain as drops, unlike if the rain were to fall on the right side, they would roll off?  I took special notice of the microscopic effect the raindrops had on the vein patterns.

 

 

 

Rock Fossil Art

Found near Pier Cove the biogenic fossil is a clue to the natural history along the Lake Michigan Shoreline.

 

 

 

 

Ice Air Bubbles 

In a shallow section along the Lake Michigan Shoreline, the whimsical pattern of the ice bubbles formed this image.

 

 

 

Rush

Captured near the Pier Cove beach, rock build up of this type is the result of major storms in the, late fall /early winter or late winter/early spring as the ice recedes.  In the later case, the ice acts like a small glacier and pushes the rocks into piles at the edge of the water.  I was attracted to the colors and variety of shapes in this image shot at a slow shutter speed as the wave washed over the rocks.

 

 

Evening Reflection

So many times when we admire a sunrise or sunset, our focus is on the horizon.  The interplay of light and color in this image indicates the sun is setting at the Douglas Beach.

 

 

 

Shoreline at Dusk

The Lake Michigan shoreline offers a place to find silence in this late fall image after sunset.  The natural rhythm of the wave quiet the mind and refresh the senses.

 

 

 

 

Waters Edge

Fascinated by the V shape marks left on the sand as the waves receded I waited for the ‘right’ wave to wash into the point of the V to capture this image of a specific, recurring pattern.

 

 

Zen

Drawn into the simplicity of this scene-I am reminded of a meditation rock garden.  The gentle sand pattern above the rock creates a harmony which is both relaxing and soothing.

 

 

 

Beached

Late fall or early winter, zebra mussels are left in masses along the lakeshore. After a storm, during my scouting I was attracted to this septarian concretion nested amongst the zebra mussel shells. Its presence anchored the pattern of the shells in the overall composition.

 

 

 

Septarian Rock Pattern with Raindrops

Septarian Concretions, found primarily south of M-89, have interesting patterns, especially this one covered with raindrops.

 

What is Fine Art Nature Photography? 

Fine Art Nature Photography categorizes a wide range of images photographed in the out of doors and is committed to the visual depiction of natural elements found in landscapes and wildlife. Nature photography elicits an emotional response through the creative principles and technical expertise commanded by the photographer.  

Fine Art Nature Photography can inspire and move us into a greater appreciation of the natural world through the images captured by gifted artisans known as photographers.  Photographs take us to places our feet cannot carry us, show us scenes our hearts dream to see and reveal the macro world so small our eyes cannot focus. They inspire us, humble us, and inextricably connect us to the earth.  Landscape images unfold before us and unveil the cracks, crevices, curves and hard edges of the earth-her form and majesty that display patterns, textures and visual rhythms in all the colors of the rainbow.  People buy fine art photography prints because they promote peace and serenity to the physical spaces inhabited, whether in the home, worship centers, health care facilities, retail spaces, theaters or the workplace. They bring the outdoors into our homes, business and healing art centers. 

Choosing nature photography prints for these spaces can be an enjoyable experience whether on ones own or with the help of a gallery owner or an interior design professional. When you simplify the process, focus on one location at a time, and take into consideration the available lighting, wall dimensions, and colors of interior elements the results are quite gratifying. Think about the shapes and themes that speak to you, what relaxes you, what excites you, what emotions would you like to add to your home or business space? Do you want to create a soothing, exciting, challenging, transforming, health giving response?  Alternatively, do you prefer to focus on a theme?  A theme could be landscape, wildlife-birds or mammals.  Grouping images based on color, texture or theme can add a dramatic effect to a room.  Combining abstract images in vibrant tones with realistic representations can create a balance, or it can bring an exciting tension to a space.                       

Color, texture, subject matter or artist?  There are a few tips to keep in mind when completing the purchase of fine art nature photography prints. The quality of the print improves the value of the piece.  The type of the paper and ink used in printing the image are very important selection factors relative to quality.  For print longevity, it is recommended that fine art nature photography prints be of archival quality.  This means that the ink used is pigment based, and the paper is acid free.  The combination of paper and ink will protect the image from fading.  Additional protection can be achieved by selecting an acid free mat made of archival quality products like 100% rag.  The mat provides airspace between the print and the mat and the mat and the glass of the frame.  Framing a print behind glass, and hanging out of direct sunlight will preserve the image for many years.  The most important environmental factors in displaying prints are light, relative humidity and temperature.

Ultimately, how do we choose a photographic work of art?  Art is an investment and it reflects who you are, and you should love it!