Video Feature: EyeSights Photography Show Opens at the Guild

The Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury opened their Annual EyeSight Open Juried Photography Show earlier this month. The open-themed show, in its eighth year features unique work of the highest quality, according to exhibiting member and former guild President Deborah Redden.

“Despite the fact that we personally enjoy them, the average person with the average point and shoot who is cataloging their trips,” she said. “Often ends up with, let’s face it, stuff that is kind of boring. But a show like this, with these photographers using different and interesting points of view and angles and lighting, really exhibits what is possible and most engaging in the art of photography.”

Redden said capturing a subject in a different way, is one of the criteria that any judge would use to evaluate a show of this kind. 

“It’s fun to walk around with a judge and listen to them talk about the work because they’ll explain what grabs them in each of the pieces and usually it's the unusual, the original point of view that they appreciate,” she said.

For this year’s EyeSight show, the Guild tapped Photographer/Instructor/Consultant/ Author , Andrew Darlow, as their judge. Redden suggested that the Guild makes an effort to secure a judge from outside the area to insure no bia. Darlow is from Piscataway. Redden acknowledged that Darlow does have some familiarity with the Guild, having attended shows in the past and instructed at previous workshops there as well, “but,” she said, “essentially he has no allegiances to anyone in the area.”

Darlow is also familiar with the EyeSights show, having been invited to it four years ago.

“I was impressed,” he said. “I go to a lot of photography shows and this one had some very exceptional pieces in it. This is a group of people who are passionate about their art, even though many of them are not professionals.”

Darlow judged the photographs on March 3, spending over two hours giving each a careful and long appraisal. Darlow said his criteria is a mix of applying professional standards and best practices, as well as utilizing a personal, emotional barometer. 

“I take my personal photography experiences,” he said “As well as those I’ve had as a commercial photographer, shooting everything from a Rolex watch to people to fashion…and I just apply it all and I also try to look at these Guild photos with fresh, new eyes. 

"I just kind of let the photo take me and see how it makes me feel, whether it’s the composition of the color or the subject matter…all of that determines whether or not it deserves to be in a show and if it merits an award.”

Darlow admitted the toughest part of his job is choosing which pieces those merits should go to. 

“The hardest part is having too many pictures that I like,” he said. “When there’s a show like this one, with so many beautiful images it’s hard to choose.”

“A lot of what helps me make those final decisions,” he said, “is based not necessarily on technical criteria although it’s surely part of it, but it’s a lot about how a photo makes me feel the first time I see it, if it stops me in my tracks. I try to look at everything first and then I’ll go back again, but I will remember the impact that a photo had on me when I first saw it.”

EyeSights is on display until March 30.  A Mini Show featuring Guild Exhibiting Members and “Small Treasures” by Associate Members are also on display.  Student’s work in drawing and painting are likewise included in the Guild Studio space. As part of the EyeSights show, Andrew Darlow will be conducting a workshop on Sunday, March 13 from 1pm to 4pm. The subject of the workshop is Color Management for Photographers: How To Prepare and Print Your Images in Photoshop and Lightroom.  For more information about Darlow’s work or workshops visit him on the web at: www.andrewdarlow.com.

The Guild of Creative Arts, it is important to note, is celebrating its 50th year of operation. The actual anniversary was held in Augst of 2010. It is the oldest and largest non-profit arts community in New Jersey. The organization was founded by Yvonne Aubert, who purchased a six-car garage at the Guild’s present location at 620 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, in 1960. The garage, which had served as the carriage house to the Fahnestock estate, was converted into a studio and exhibition hall by Aubert and the first charter members, who were among the most prominent artists in Monmouth County. At the time, local painters and sculptors had few venues to exhibit their work, no opportunities for study, or places to meet. The small arts cooperative gained immediate favor and soon became a vibrant asset to the arts community. 

Today the Guild’s membership includes 435 artists, sculptors, and photographers. In addition to a rotating exhibit schedule, the Guild offers a wide variety of classes for adults and teens taught by talented, professional artists and photographers, and recently initiated a “Celebrity” series to bring nationally known instructors to teach workshops.  For more information about the Guild check them at at: www.guildofcreativeart.org.

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