'Discovering Solitude: Photographs By Paul R. Berger' Going On View In Danbury
DANBURY — The Gallery at Still River Editions will begin hosting “Discovering Solitude: Photographs by Paul R. Berger” on April 12. The exhibition features the work Mr Berger, a Newtown photographer and resident.
“The concept of solitude means discovering a place, or a state of mind, that can exist without other people directly intruding, at least for a few moments,” said Mr Berger. “Yet the viewer has the opportunity to project themselves into that environment and imagine what it might feel like.”
Mr Berger’s work in both black-and-white and color is shot entirely on medium-format film. Medium format film is much larger than 35 millimeter film, and can produce crisper enlargements.
This is the second in a series of three exhibits at The Gallery at Still River Editions that focuses on contemporary photographers who still use analog film in this increasingly digital field. Mr Berger’s emphasis is on painstakingly setting up his landscape shots with careful attention to detail so the prints need as little manipulation as possible. His final prints are a mixture of traditional in-darkroom prints and archival digital prints made from his film negatives and transparencies.
Using analog film instead of digital media means not shooting quickly and not being able to instantly review his photographs.
“It turns out that this slower pacing is a good match for me, for the way I visualize my subjects and my efforts to craft a meaningful photograph,” he says of his continued use of film. “While these days people may believe film is too cumbersome, I find going through the ‘rituals’ associated with shooting film is a comforting and relaxing part of the overall photography experience.”
Paul Berger was born and raised in Louisville, Ky., and like many photographers got his start in photography with his parents’ cameras. He attended Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., where he took photography courses and learned black and white darkroom and printing techniques.
Mr Berger has exhibited in venues in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. In 2012 he was awarded a solo exhibit at Danbury City Hall in conjunction with the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut’s Accessible Art program.
Today Mr Berger runs his own corporate communications business in Newtown, where he lives with his wife and children.
An opening reception is planned for Saturday, April 12, from 3 to 5 pm. The public is invited.
“Discovering Solitude” will remain on view until May 30. Regular hours are 8:30 am until 5 pm Monday through Friday. The Gallery at Still River Editions is within On-Track Corporate Park, at 128 East Liberty Street in Danbury.
Call 203-791-1474 or visit StillRiverEditions.com/gallery for additional information.