Photographer Opens Her First Exhibit at Constellation Books

September's First Friday at marked a first for a local photographer, too.

The wine tasting served as the opening for Pam Powell’s photo exhibit at the store. Guests were treated to live music by Ken ‘iSinatra’ McDermott along with wine, pizza and desserts as they looked at Powell’s hanging photos.

“[Her work] is not just something you buy in the store,” said local photographer Charlie Smith, who encourage Powell to exhibit her photos. Smith particularly admires her precise matting techniques.

This is the first time she has displayed her photos for public viewing and sale. The 32 photos hanging in the bookstore represent work from the last three years. They range in price from $30 to $125, but one special photo of her granddaughter’s cat is for display only. The exhibit is open for six weeks.

Although her photos and matting look professional, Powell calls herself an amateur photographer. She is completely self-taught and has been taking pictures since her husband bought her a camera 18 years ago. She said it took about five years of experimenting to really get comfortable.

Her favorite subjects are flowers and animals in nature, but she also enjoys taking pictures while traveling. Her flower photos were taken around Maryland and Florida, and most of the animals were taken at Maryland zoos. Others on display are from her trips to San Francisco and Ireland.

Powell doesn’t believe in simply taking a photo. She carefully selects the mat colors and frame to accentuate the picture and make it a complete work of art.

“It’s an art that I love. I love the matting as much as taking the photographs,” she said.

Powell will expand her presence in the local art scene as a judge for the Baltimore Bird Fanciers amateur photography contest on Saturday, October 15, 2011.