Hidden in Plain Sight: Photography by Jill French

On Exhibit on the Circulation Area Wall from May 2nd through May 30th.

Art Reception: Tuesday, May 14th, at 6:00pm

This photo collection is an exploration of beauty and mystery in the natural world. These are actual photos taken outdoors—not imagined, cut and pasted, or invented on a computer. They include familiar physical objects in nature (like rocks or trees), along with less obvious “abstract” elements (like patterns or reflections). These abstract elements are intimately connected to our ordinary world: hidden in shadows, shapes, colors, and movement. They are part of an unusual and exquisite dimension that often goes unnoticed.

When I’m outdoors with my camera, I try to quietly observe my surroundings with curiosity and openness. My picture-taking involves simply stopping to notice all I can: the physical, the abstract, the influence of wind, sun, clouds, or weather. More often than not, fascinating images present themselves to me like generous offerings from nature. Later, I enhance the photos with saturated colors or other fine-tuning, in hopes of revealing beauty in what might otherwise seem mundane.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse of nature from a slightly altered perspective and hope you will discover hidden dimensions for yourself on your next walk. The world is full of uncommon loveliness and wonder, if we just stop and notice!

-- Jill French