Two Shows This Friday: Joe Reifer and Troy Paiva

For San Francisco Bay fine art photography fans, two of our local night photographers are each having independent shows/signings this Friday night (August 1st).

Joe Reifer will have the reception for his show Toy Camera Dreams with Robert Holmgren at Lucky Ju Ju's vintage pinball arcade (713 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda, CA) on August 1st from 7-10pm. Although most of us know Joe as a night photographer, this show will feature his daytime toy camera work which, I believe, will consist of 35mm film shot in a 6x6 Holga and cross-processed in some sort of out-of-spec color chemistry. Robert Holmgren's work, I believe, consists of monochrome Holga photography. Although I'm familiar with both of their work on the internet, I'm looking forward to seeing both sets of work in real prints. The entire show runs from August 1st-30th.

(Oscar, by Joe Reifer)

On the same evening, just across the Oakland Bay Bridge, Troy Paiva will have a book-signing and slide show for his second book Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration at 111 Minna Gallery (111 Minna, San Francisco, CA). The book-signing will be from 7-9pm.

(Cover of Troy Paiva's latest book: Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration)

Here's the best news. If you noticed that both shows are on the same night at approximately the same time, you're right. This means you only have to make one excuse to your spouse to get out of the house, and you can hit two receptions and see a total of three great photographers all in one swoop across the San Francisco Bay! What a great way to spend a Friday evening.

I will attend both receptions. If you see me there, please stop by and introduce yourself. I'd really like to know who is reading this out in the blogosphere.

Flavia Sollner

Flavia Sollner is a German-born photographer who works in London, UK and Oslo, Norway. Her portfolio of night photography includes work that is mysterious and seems to include more dark space than lighting. She writes:

"It is the underlying, the hidden emotions that interest me. The Fear, deep rooted in us all, Anxiety and Paranoia - the real and the imaginary - buried deep within."

("The Tail of Our Purloined Breath", by Flavia Sollner)

There's definitely a difference between Flavia's work and most of the contemporary night photography that we see in galleries and on the internet today. Most of today's work seems to focus on heavy, careful lighting, whereas Flavia's work seems to focus on the lack of lighting across the frame.

OK, that description may not make sense, but it's the best I can think of right now. What do you think? Can anyone explain this more eloquently?

Found in Jorg Colberg's Conscientious blog.

Nocturnes Show in Berkeley - July 19th

There will be a show of night photography from Berkeley, CA at The Lightroom (2263 Fifth St, Berkeley, CA) from July 14 through August 22. This show was organized by Tim Baskerville, founder of The Nocturnes. It includes work by Joe Reifer, Denise Fuson, Sherry Glassman, Mark Jaremko, Charity Vargas and John Vias.

(Fishhouse, by Joe Reifer)

Instead of trying to describe this show in my customary disconnected blather, please jump to the more complete description of this show over at Joe Reifer's Blog. You can see a preview of the show here. If you can make it, make sure you look for Joe's photograph of the giant bunny rabbit topiary.

More important, the reception will be Saturday, July 19th from 2-6pm. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the reception that day.

Simon Menner

German photographer Simon Menner has some great night photography in his Transitland Wide set.

(Photo by Simon Menner)

These images of huge ocean liners remind me of the work of three San Francisco Bay Area night photographers' work of the S. S. Independence (Troy Paiva, Scott Haefner and Jon Haeber).

Found in Jörg Colberg's Conscientious Blog.