Photo Exhibit at Flint Memorial Library

Bill Laforme's Nature Photographs at Flint Memorial Library

Bill Laforme's photographs a reveal a lot about the photographer himself. He knows and appreciates the wonder and serenity of being outdoors on a placid lake, or witnessing a glorious sunset or contemplating a mystical sunrise. Visitors to the Flint Memorial Library in North Reading can see an exhibit of Laforme's work and share in his vision this month.

"First Light on Lake Umbagog, N.H." invokes the lonely call of the loon on a windless lake at the first hint that the sun is rising. To get shots like this, Bill camps out by the lake and gets out with his camera as soon as he hears the first bird start singing.

Another paean to sunrise is "Sunrise at Singing Beach, Manchester, MA" which shows the flame of the sunrise on the horizon, reflected on repeating waves, and bracketed by deep purple clouds above and the dark front of a wave below. Then a dark spear of distant land pierces into the scene from the left. For this shot, the photographer stood on the same spot of beach for an hour. He was just about to give up and go home when the sun started getting more dramatic and he caught it perfectly for this photograph.

Sunset is another successful subject for Laforme as in his "Late Afternoon at Plum Island". Tall dark pilings are backlit by the orange flame of the setting sun and a lone seagull is silhouetted atop one piling. This was an early popular photo which continues to get good clicks on his website. He gives credit for alerting him to the sky at that moment to his former wife.

Folks who appreciate the rare sight of heavy snow balanced on slender branches will enjoy "Sunny Ipswich River Scene". Laforme was driving along Rte. 62 in North Reading after a heavy snowstorm late last winter when he pulled onto a side road and walked into a winter wonderland. He spotted this tree whose branches, laden with snow, were bent in concentric arcs. He says this picture ties into his concern about climate change and the reason he takes these photos at all: to promote conservation and respect for the outdoors.

The Flint Library has a display of books in celebration of National Photography Month (May). The library also has many new books promoting National Parks and the great opportunities Americans have to be in nature. Studies have proved the healing effects of spending time in forests or parks. From 2004 to 2012, Japanese officials studied the physiological and psychological effects of "forest bathing," They surveyed 498 healthy volunteers, twice in a forest and twice in control environments. The subjects showed significantly reduced hostility and depression scores, coupled with increased liveliness, after exposure to trees. Trees soothe the spirit. “Accordingly,” the researchers wrote, “forest environments can be viewed as therapeutic landscapes.” We don’t seem to need a lot of exposure to gain from nature—but regular contact appears to improve our immune system function and our wellbeing.

Bill Laforme's work can be viewed on Facebook (Bill Laforme Nature Photography), Etsy.com and Pinterest amongst other places. The exhibit at Flint Library is a good place to begin an appreciation of his passion for capturing special sights and moments in nature.

by Cambia Davis