There’s a new exhibit in the galleries at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center and it’s a great way to explore the different way the 2 photographers, Chuck Almarez and Jeff Bartley work. Chuck Almarez’s work, “The Last Picture Show” is a fine example of what this contemporary cameraman can do with all the bells and whistles of post-processing. He makes no apologies for his use of photoshopping tools, as he seamlessly cuts, layers and merges images together, telling a story that is uniquely his. These images illustrate stories and ideas of his making, creating something very different from the initial capture. By the time he finishes many have become dreamlike and are capable of provoking entire discussions about his ideas and meaning. Each is accompanied by a brief story card that describes a bit about the mental and photographic processes involved.
His fellow photographer, Jeff Bartley, is pretty much the opposite. Bartley chuckles and calls himself “old school,” often shooting in black and white. His portion of the exhibit, called ”Memory Made Tangible “ reflects images from travels across the this country (and occasionally Europe), making portraits of places that capture his interest. He revisits his subjects, waits till the light is “just right” or scrambles down a rocky cliff to get just the angle that will share with viewers what has captured his heart and eye.
