- This event has passed.
“Clatsop County” group show in Dundee
February 18, 2018 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Clatsop County
Roger Dorband, Ken Hochfeld, Michael Granger
Presented by LightBox Photographic Gallery
Jan 15 – March 4, 2018
Artist Reception, Sunday, February 18, 2:00-4:00
Argyle Tasting House
691 Highway 99W
Dundee, Oregon
503 538-8520
please rsvp to argyle winery at this address if you plan to attend?
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-reception-clatsop-county-registration-42797529563
LightBox Photographic Gallery of Astoria presents the work of three photographers who envision the nature of Clatsop County from their unique viewpoint.
Clatsop County is the heart of Oregon’s North Coast. It is a history ladened land that in 1805 became the terminus of Lewis and Clark’s Expedition of Discovery. Six years later, Astoria, the county seat of Clatsop County, became the first U.S. settlement on the Pacific Coast. While its early history is not forgotten it is the climate and the geography that mostly define the special nature of Clatsop County. For photographers working in the area, the landscape, the weather and historical elements frequently merge in the fabric of a single image. This might be said of photographs from anywhere in the country that are taken outside of an urban setting. But when the subject matter includes the beautiful Pacific, the 4th largest river in the U.S., the Great Northwest Rain Forest, ships in the harbor, volatile weather conditions, fog and constantly changing light over the river, there is increased potential for images rich in beauty, drama and diversity.
Roger Dorband
Astoria, Oregon
Roger Dorband is best known for his color landscape books on the Rogue River and Steens Mountain, the Astoria resident considers himself a “witness” who looks for iconic images that capture the essence of a place.
“As a photographer my most important bodies of work are series that depict a particular place. Most notably I have published books on northwest Portland’s Thurman Street, southern Oregon’s Rogue River and the Steen Mountain area of Malheur County. Though I consider myself a “photographer of place”, the landscape has often been central to my work. When I moved to Astoria ten years ago the big open skies and changeable weather over the Columbia, and the Pacific beaches inspired me. But before I began getting images I really liked I had to get the usual Astoria photographic subjects out of my system. So naturally I took the requisite photos of the Megler Bridge, sunset skies, the Peter Iredale shipwreck and the sea lions, none of which rose above many similar photographs I saw of those subjects by other photographers.
Over time I have studied the history and culture of the North Coast beginning with Washington Irving’s classic book on the founding of Astoria. What I learned is that the North Coast, and Astoria in particular, has been through numerous peaks and valleys in prosperity, has suffered through catastrophes of fire and wind, and, if one looks back far enough, epic disasters caused by major earthquakes. In spite of claims made about the beautiful landscape of the North Coast, the natural resources of the area have been largely exploited as reflected in numerous clear cuts and the absence of old growth trees as well as an extremely depleted fishing industry. Not that there are no hopeful signs but to me the area is at best one in recovery.
I believe that seeing the North Coast as I do has brought a deepening to my imagery that includes some sense of loss and perhaps a little of the loneliness one feels next to the immensity of the Pacific. Paradoxically there is a sense of hope and endurance here too, perhaps engendered by the history and culture of the area, which I trust will allow viewers to apprehend the North Coast’s enduring beauty.” ~ Roger Dorband – Raven Studios
Ken Hochfeld
Portland, Or.
Ken Hochfeld is a Portland based fine art photographer who sees expressive beauty in the landscape. Originally from California, where he graduated with a degree in photo communications from California State University at Fullerton, he and his wife Carol have lived in Oregon for 40 years. He finds the natural beauty and lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest emotionally sustaining.
Hochfeld’s toned black and white photographs may reflect upon the scene before him, but more often are subtly contemplative and sometimes offer clues to his emotions or thoughts. He typically chooses to make photographs in quiet places that are not typical iconic scenic locations. Hochfeld says “Occasionally a dramatic scene simply calls on me to make a photograph and I oblige.” With his most current work, “Communities of the Lower Columbia River”, Hochfeld explores human interaction with the landscape. His photography has been exhibited in various galleries in Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington.
Michael Granger
Astoria, Oregon
Michael Granger and his wife, Chelsea Vincent Granger, opened LightBox Photographic Gallery in Astoria in June 2009 with the mission to promote creative and alternative photography on the North Coast of Oregon. LightBox exhibits work of photographic artists in juried, group and solo exhibits. With over 100 exhibits behind them, LightBox Photographic strives to educate the public about fine art photography, the varied processes and the unique vision of each photographic artist. Having had a career in fine custom photographic printing, Michael’s interests concentrate on imagery that speaks to the viewer and the quality of the final photographic print in all mediums.
He practices the art of image making and celebrates those that make it to print.