May Gallery 2011 Artists Revel in Travel Photography

Steve and Judi Le Penske want to share their vacation photos with you. 

But don't worry -- they're not going to subject you to typical, poorly composed tourist shots featuring a blurry image of some famous landmark or group photos where heads are unceremoniously cut off.

Rather, this husband and wife team have on exhibit this month at City Hall 32 exquisite photographs of varied landscapes and scenes unique to the New England landscape at a specific time of year when fall colors are abundant and skies appear crystal blue. 

Their vacation, taken last fall with friends who are also photographers, was planned specifically so the quartet could take advantage of the season and the vibrant colors that come with it.

Of the 32 photographs, 16 were taken by Judi and 16 by Steve. Some post-editing work was done largely to remove dust spots and other imperfections, but there was no enhancement of the bright yellows, reds and oranges so typical of the New England fall, Steve said. 

"There's a lot of beauty in the northeast," Judi said. "It's very rural. We were really surprised at how rural it is."

Steve explained that the population of King County is larger than any one of the five states that was on their travel itinerary: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut. "Particularly Vermont and New Hampshire are very, very rural. It's not the big city hub-bub that you think of when you think about the East Coast. That was a pleasant surprise."

"...and lots of little markets," Judi added.

"Small towns, good people," said Steve.

Highlights for the couple included a stop in Sudbury, Mass., where they went to photograph a grist mill and a church. Later, at a visit to Steve's family in Boston, the couple learned that a family member had been married at that church. "I thought that was interesting," Judi said.

For Steve, it was a town in New Hampshire called Stark that captured his imagination and thrilled him to be able to see what he'd researched online prior to the trip, in living color.

The couple came to photographer later in life. Steve was a high school administrator, classroom teacher and coach while Judi worked in accounting while raising her children.

Now, they embark on their passion for photography together thought according to some, their styles are very unique.

A friend told Judi that there was more emotion in her work, she said. "I'm not as technical. I just look through the lens and shoot. He's very technical."

Steve shrugs, "Yeah, I guess."

The couple has become enamored of travel photography and say they are next looking into a trip to Guatemala.

Click to read more about the Le Penske's gallery this month, which is on display at City Hall until May 31.