Everyday Art: Malvernite Showcases Photography Collection

For Malvernite Dave Paone, art is all around him.

The Malverne High School alumnus and Patch photographer sees beauty in the people we pass on the street and the moments we may take for granted each day, and has captured it throughout his photography career.

It's all about finding that "decisive moment," the "instant when all the right elements that make a good photograph come together and the photographer is lucky enough to take the picture," Paone explains in  

Although he admits luck is a factor in capturing the human experience at its finest, Paone also posseses patience, talent and a keen eye for finding beauty, humor and intricacies in what many may dismiss as unattractive or mundane.

But don't just take our word. Throughout the month of December, Paone's work will be on display at the Freeport Public Library, located at 144 W. Merrick Road, where a reception will also be held on Dec. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m., open to everyone. 

The collection of 38 photos will include some from his "After We Cleaned the Basement" and "Life at Home" series, shot in 1980 when he was only 16 years old (and a student at Malverne High School), and more recent ones such as a portrait of an Adelphi University student taken in 2010. 

"Nine are never-before-exhibited photos from my portfolio," he told Patch. Even though he took these shots in the 1980s, he said he only recently discovered them, including two photos taken at the now-defunct Camp Tanglewood in Lynbrook.

A graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Malverne, Paone also has a photo essay dedicated to the Catholic School experience and even published a photography book on the subject, which will also be included in the collection.

And you'll also get to see his award-winning piece,