"Pinhole & Pixels" to Feature Miggs Burroughs

Two contrasting forms of photography will merge Friday when "Pinholes & Pixels," a two-person exhibit, opens at the University of Connecticut Stamford Art Gallery .

The  show, which runs through  June 30, features the lenticular photography of Westporter Miggs Burroughs, a graphic artist and photographer, and pinhole photographs taken by freelance fine art photographer Paul Jones of Fairfield.

The opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

The lenticular imagery presented by Burroughs is a high-tech process in which one photograph appears to transition into another. For instance, in his works a hand appears to open and close or a person transforms from a teenager to a senior citizen.

"Lenticular imagery combines the content of two digital photos into one," Burroughs explained. "The finished image allows the viewer to control the sequence, speed and the significance of these changing images."

Although some may compare his works to holographic images, he points out that processes differ. "Holograms involve special lighting techniques that create and appearance of three dimensions," he said. "Lenticular imagery is an animation technique. It's kind of a magical thing that is achieved very simply. It really dazzles people."

In the exhibit, Burroughs' photographs will include an image that resembles a manhole cover, which will be mounted on the floor of the gallery. The manhole cover will transition into a photo of himself and Jones, looking up at the viewer. He also will showcase portraits and images he took while on safari in Africa.

While Burroughs' photographs make use of a digital camera and computer software, Jones' work is grounded in a technique that dates back to the fifth century BC (http://photo.net/learn/pinhole/pinhole).

"A pinhole camera is a camera that has nothing more than a very small hole in a thin piece of metal acting as a lens," Jones explained. "It has no viewfinder so composition is done by estimation. There are no shutter speeds and no mechanical shutter. To expose the film you slide a cover from over the pinhole and use a watch to time the exposure. When done, you slide the cover back over the pinhole. My exposures run from one second to many minutes, even hours."

Jones began working with pinhole cameras about nine years ago. "I had been working as a commercial photographer but felt that my personal work had become lifeless," he said. "But when I began using the pinhole camera, the results blew me away. I captured the spirit that I was after. "

Because of the longer exposure times, Jones' pinhole photographs suggest tremendous depth while taking on a surreal quality. "Long exposures, compact tonal values and a softer image are the biggest drawbacks of pinhole photography. They are also its greatest assets," he said.

Jones will display about 18 black-and-white images in this exhibit in three categories: portraits, casual observations and the annual Mermaid Parade held at Coney Island in New York.

In comparing the two photographic techniques, Burroughs observed, "We are both fascinated by contrast and weird similarities in our work. Both technologies capture the passing of time."

Kerrie Mills, curator of the gallery, said she and the gallery's board members are looking forward to holding this event. "We are excited to have Miggs and Paul exhibit in our gallery," she said. "The art gallery board chose Miggs and Paul because we liked the juxtaposition of the very high-tech lenticular photography format with the very basic pinhole camera photography.  ... Mr. Burroughs has a history with UConn as well as he taught non-credit courses here when we first opened the campus in downtown Stamford."

She added that the mission of the art gallery is twofold. "We want our students and the general public to enjoy wonderful art here in a downtown Stamford location.  There are very few venues for the public to enjoy professional and emerging artists work in Stamford," she said. "Secondly, we want to encourage and promote local and regional artists."

The University of Connecticut Stamford Art Gallery is located at One University Place at Washington Boulevard. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.

Free parking is available at UConn garage on Washington Boulevard. For further information, call (203) 251-8400.