Photographer Frank Zgonc Focuses on “Arrested Decay”

Frank Zgonc began his career as a professional photographer at the young age of seven when he got his first camera. By the age of twelve, he'd earned enough money selling greeting cards door-to-door to buy the equipment necessary to outfit his own darkroom.

Mostly self-taught with the aid of articles in Popular Photography magazine, and inspired by the work of Ansel Adams and Brett Weston, Zgonc (pronounced ZONK) learned his craft with black and white photography.

"I didn't even try color until I was in junior college," Zgonc said. "I love landscapes and floral pictures in particular. I'm influenced by both the paintings of the French Impressionists and Dutch Masters."

Recently Zgonc has been working on a series of photos he calls "Arrested Decay." These are photos of old, generally run-down buildings juxtaposed with something new and fresh.

"By presenting what I call a 'time capsule' I'm trying to get the viewer to think about what they are seeing," Zgonc said. 

The digital age of  photography has had a huge impact on Zgonc's work.

"It's easier than the dark room," Zgonc said. "But I don't like to add anything to the photo. Some do too much of that."

Zgonc learned his methodology decades ago.

"I use a technique called the 'Orton Method' which was developed back in the 70s," he said. "You start with a perfectly focused, sharp image, then add on top of that a soft focus of the same image. The two blend to produce a great effect."

With digital printers, Zgonc has also experimented with different papers.

"I found out I could print on watercolor paper," he said. "The inks spread at different rates and gives the print a kid of Impressionist look." 

Zgonc is currently showing his works at Paint 'n' Play Gallery, 418 S. Myrtle Ave.

In addition to his photography, Zgonc has become a prolific blogger. He has three blogs running: http://blogging.la/?s=frazgo, frazgo meanders, and frazgo feasting. 

Because of his work as a photographer, Zgonc has also become an advocate of arts in the schools.

"As a parent, I'm frustrated by the lack of art in schools," Zgonc said. "We need art to make more well rounded individuals." 

"Art opens the mind to possibilities," he added.

Zgonc joined the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts in 2004 and was just re-elected to a second term as vice-president. He was initially attracted to MAFA because of it's mission to keep art available to Monrovia's school children. 

"There are a select few kids who can communicate to the world through art," he said. "We owe it to them to make art available. Not every kid is meant to be a scientist. I'm glad to be part of adding art to schools."