Photographers Share Scenes at Mineola Library Exhibit

In 2012, practically every digital device has a camera inside it and almost everybody shares photos – be it print, via e-mail, on Flickr or Facebook. Mary Jane Caldwell and Pat Dillon have opted for a different route – putting their photos on display this month at the .

Both ladies are members of the Long Island Center of Photography (LCIP) and jumped at the opportunity, already having a portion of their portfolios displayed at the Merrick Library and African American Museum among other places.

While Dillon favors her large SLR, Caldwell has a small easy to carry point-and-shoot but both feel that taking good photos depends on the photographer, not the camera.

“The camera is just a tool. It’s about what you see, what is true and I love to see the results,” Dillon said.

Caldwell, a former teacher in the Hicksville Public School District for 33 years, also spent 12 years as the art coordinator for grades K through 12. Her passion for photography developed when she was teaching because when she became the director of student activities and began taking a lot of photos. Now, she carries her camera where ever she goes and is ready to take photos of anything that interests her.

“The camera becomes a part of you’” she said. “You develop a relationship with it.”

Caldwell prefers to take still shots where she can capture the light on objects such as glass or metal. The expression on light is expressed in a few of her pieces, including one of her favorites: “Still life Red and Blue.” A photo of red and blue glasses captured in soft light.

“Photography is all about capturing the light,” Dillon said, explaining that she loves to capture beauty and serenity in nature and portraits, in a stream of natural light.

Dillon began taking photos after receiving a Kodak camera as a gift when she was 7 years old, snapping shots of her friends and family and continuing to take pictures today at family events.

“I like taking photos of people,” she said. “I like to watch their expressions, the way the light shines on their eyes or on their hair.”

Several portraits of people are displayed in the gallery, including one of Dillon’s favorites titled “Playground Rest,” of a girl sitting in the playground captured in hard light, the sun light shining on her face while her shadow castes upon the ground on which she’s sitting.

Dillon also takes photos for fundraising events for organizations, especially on Super Bowl Sundays at the Long Island Center for Volunteers.

Their work will be on display until January 27.