Bob Gates Photography

Transfer Project Showings

2011-10-11T16:55:00.004-04:00

There is a nice cover story on my Transfer Project in this week's issue of the Syracuse New Times:
Syracuse New Times
And another nice story in the Syracuse Post Standard:
Syracuse Post Standard

And the Urban Video Project is showing a video slide show of the project on the side of the Everson Museum. Showings are October 10, 11,12 and 17, 18, 19 from dusk to 11:00 pm. Pretty spectacular. If you can't get down to see it, here is a short video to see what it looks like.
Urban Video Project

Transfer Project photos in the buses

2011-09-12T08:39:00.003-04:00

Through the generous support of J. Michaels Shoes and the Bersani Gallery, a number of my transfer project photos are now posted inside two of the Connective Corridor buses that run between SU and downtown. These buses are free for everyone. Here are some photos, which don't do justice to the exhibit.

Connective Corridor Buses

News

2011-08-03T10:59:00.002-04:00

Every year I enter the Martha's Vineyard Magazine photo contest. The entries get better every year, and this year I received an honorable mention. My photo is the sixth one on this page:

Martha's Vineyard Magazine

I have also continued to work on my Transfer Project, and there is a nice article about it in the Connective Corridor Newsletter:

Last Transfer Article

As the article indicates, I will have an exhibit of this work at SU in the fall, with an opening reception and talk on Tuesday, October 18th.

I will also have some of the images projected as part of the Urban Video Project, and they will be inside the Connective Corridor buses.

Transfer Project Slide Show

2011-03-04T10:55:00.007-05:00

I have put together a slide show of some of my favorite images from the Transfer Project:

Transfer Slide Show

Catching Up

2011-03-01T08:12:00.002-05:00

I haven't been very good at updating this blog. We went to California in January to visit relatives and we always go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This year they had an exhibit of seahorses. But what seahorses! Some are called "sea dragons" and are quite amazing.

Leafy Sea Dragon:

Weedy Sea Dragon:

PhotoLife Magazine, a very good photography magazine published in Canada has an annual contest. This year one of my photos won third place in the Nature category. The issue is on the newsstands now:

Juried Exhibitions and Contests

2010-12-01T14:03:00.017-05:00

I have had two photos accepted for an exhibit of street photography at the Vermont Photo Space Gallery. I am really pleased because the juror was Ed Kashi, one of my favorite photographers (and an SU alum):

Vermont Photo Place Gallery

This is one of the photos to be exhibited there:

My black and white photo of Green Lakes won first prize for black and white photography in Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine's annual photo contest. Unfortunately, either I forgot to send a title or they lost it, so the title is a little odd.

Finger Lakes Magazine Photo Contest

Here is the photo in person:

Six of my Transfer Project photos have been selected for the current issue of the online photography magazine f-stop:

f-stop magazine

Here is one of my recent favorites that is included in both the Vermont and f-stop exhibits:

And finally, two of my photos were included as finalists for the Syracuse First Photo Contest. Voting online for the winners has just begun. If you know my work, you will know which ones are mine, but in any case, vote for your favorites here:

Syracuse First Photo Contest

(If you like the Quarry photo, you can purchase a framed print at the Gandee Gallery in Fabius: Gandee Gallery )

Exhibit and Opening Reception

2010-10-12T10:19:00.001-04:00

The Gandee Gallery in Fabius is opening an interesting new show on Saturday, entitled “A Sense of Place: The Real Central New York Landscape.” I have a few photos in the show, and a number of excellent artists are included. See the description and some of the images on the gallery website here:

Gandee Gallery

If you haven’t been to the Gandee gallery, you should stop by some time. In addition to the current exhibit, I’m sure there will be the usual collection of very fine ceramics for sale at reasonable prices.

Last Transfer: The Soul of Syracuse

2010-06-06T08:35:00.008-04:00

I have been neglecting this blog lately, in part because most of my photo energy has been devoted to one project, the Transfer Project.

The purpose of this project is to produce an extensive portfolio of collaborative candid portraits of the people who inhabit a unique urban setting that is soon to be lost forever.

The trolley cars and large department stores are long gone, but the bus stops and covered transfer stations at South Salina and Fayette Streets, in Syracuse, NY, continue to vibrate with intense human activity. The city recently approved plans to build a new transfer station four blocks further south, off the main streets, and to remove the buses from this intersection. Though this may benefit many bus patrons, it will hasten the gentrification of the city center and eliminate something vital and important. I have begun an extended project of photographing the people who meet at this central urban hub.

Most people come here to board a bus or to transfer from one bus to another, but others come because it is a place to hang out, meet friends, or watch the action. Suburbanites tend to avoid this intersection, thinking it “rundown” and full of “undesirables,” but the people who congregate here are actually quite varied in background and social class, and most of them are friendly and approachable.

Though I admire the work of classic street photographers who shoot without engaging their subjects, in this project I only include people who agree to be photographed. I have asked for their attention and their collaboration for these urban portraits, which are not only about my representation of them but about how they choose to be seen and represented in an unconventional candid photo setting. Many of my subjects shared not only their images but their stories, and I believe that some of what they felt and said is evident in these images. I also provide them with prints or digital images of their portraits whenever possible.

In order to achieve a consistent visual style, I use a fast wide lens: all work was shot with a Canon 5D MKII camera and Canon 35mm f/1.4 and 24mm f/1.4 lenses.

For some of my favorite images, see this gallery:

Last Transfer: Selections

For the full set of images, in the order taken:

Last Transfer: Full Set

Recent Publications and Recognition

2010-04-01T08:01:00.004-04:00

I have six photos in the April/May issue of the online photography magazine f-stop (first six photos here):

April/May 2010 issue of f-stop

I have a photo in the current/May issue of Shutterbug Magazine.

One of my photos has been given “special commendation” in the Sony World Photography Awards.

Joshua Tree National Park

2010-02-24T17:51:00.003-05:00

Deb and I visited relatives in California and Arizona and stopped in Joshua Tree National Park, where we hiked to an oasis and saw a bobcat up close:

Am-Jam Tattoo Expo

2010-01-31T11:23:00.002-05:00

For the past few years I have been going to this annual event, where the people are friendly and accommodating to photographers, and the tattoos are colorful and interesting:

The complete gallery is here:
Am Jam Tattoo Expo 2009

Winter

2010-01-22T12:58:00.002-05:00

Haven't been shooting much or blogging much, distracted by other things and deterred by the weather, but I did get out to Green Lakes earlier this week:

At the Zoo

2010-01-12T08:25:00.003-05:00

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo here in Syracuse is sponsoring a winter photo contest, so I went yesterday to see what I could find.

California

2009-12-14T10:13:00.002-05:00

I was in California last week to visit my family and though this was not a photo trip, I did manage to take a few shots. These are from the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park:

And these are from Muir Woods. (Which reminds me to say, if you haven't seen the PBS Ken Burn series on the National Parks, you should, it is wonderful).

Lights on the Lake

2009-11-24T14:22:00.003-05:00

Every year, the Lights on the Lake display along Onondaga Lake Parkway is open for an on-foot preview. Last night was unusually good November weather for this event, and I took a number of photos using lens zoom and movement.

Holiday Show at Gandee Gallery

2009-11-24T14:14:00.004-05:00

The Gandee Gallery in Fabius NY is having a holiday show, and it includes eight of my photographs, including these:

Veterans Day Parade

2009-11-09T15:47:00.004-05:00

Saturday was the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Syracuse. It was a beautiful day and there were lots of colorful marchers.

Clouds

2009-11-02T14:58:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you are just tooling around and the world shows you beauty. I was driving home from the gym today and these clouds were right in front of me on Randall Rd. I pulled into the cemetery and took a few shots.

Seed Pods

2009-10-27T18:20:00.007-04:00

Every year at this time, I go out to watch the seed pods as they die and release their seeds for next year. Yesterday and today I was shooting milkweed pods. They are all alike and yet the patterns they produce, like snowflakes, are always different and fascinating as they blow in the wind and take off.

I also have a gallery of these shots from previous years here:

Seed Pods

I haven't seen any of the wild cucumber seed pods yet this year, always one of my favorites:

Fall Foliage and Black and White

2009-10-10T00:29:00.004-04:00

Fall color has come to central New York and I have my favorite places, Green Lakes State Park and Chittenango Creek just above the falls. I also upgraded my printer to the Epson R2880, which produces beautiful black and white prints, so I am working on black and white versions of some of these and other images.

Limestone Creek Hunt

2009-09-22T09:50:00.002-04:00

Last week I went to observe the opening ceremonies of the Limestone Creek Hunt, including the Parade of Hounds through the village of Cazenovia and the blessing of the hounds and horses on the grounds of the Lorenzo house.

New York State Fair

2009-09-03T13:01:00.003-04:00

I love the New York State Fair, and always go as often as I can because the variety of photographic opportunities is endless. I have a gallery of some shots from this year showing the range of subjects to be found.

2009-08-15T16:25:00.003-04:00

I went to the Madison-Bouckville Antiques Show on Friday, where I always find interesting objects and juxtapositions of people and things.

Show and Winner

2009-08-01T22:39:00.006-04:00

I am having an exhibit at the Edgewood Gallery on Tecumseh Road, from August 7th to September 11th, with an opening reception on Friday, August 7th from 6-8pm.

I just learned that I won first place in Martha's Vineyard Magazine's first annual photo contest:

Martha's Vineyard Magazine

Syracuse Nationals

2009-07-21T09:38:00.006-04:00

The Syracuse Nationals custom and hot rod car show is held in Syracuse every year at the New York State Fairgrounds. Great cars, wonderful colors.

Martha's Vineyard

2009-07-07T13:43:00.003-04:00

We visit Martha's Vineyard for a week every summer, staying in a funky little house out in Gay Head. Here are a few images from this year's visit.

Roses

2009-06-16T10:27:00.004-04:00

The rose garden in Thornden Park is in amazing full bloom this week.

Balloon Festival

2009-06-14T17:08:00.003-04:00

Every year there is a great balloon festival at Jamesville Beach County Park. I like to go for the morning liftoff at 6:00 am, where you can get up close to the balloons as they fill and rise. Here are some shots from this year:

Bonaventure Cemetery

2009-05-26T15:41:00.004-04:00

My wife Deborah and I went on a vacation to Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA, and we visited the famous Bonaventure Cemetery just outside Savannah. It has some wonderful old monuments.

2009-05-14T12:44:00.005-04:00

As part of a photography course I am teaching, Denise Waterman invited me to come to the Onondaga Nation to photograph the Volunteer Fire Department during their Monday night drill.

Exension Tube Macros

2009-05-04T10:52:00.003-04:00

There are various ways to take extreme closeup or macro shots. I like to use extension tubes on my various lenses, especially to take closeups of spring flowers. The first of these was with my 35mm lens and a 12mm extension, the second with my 135mm and a 36mm extension tube.

The Farmer's Market

2009-04-18T18:31:00.005-04:00

Deb and I go to the Syracuse Farmer's Market on most Saturday mornings, for the food, the flowers, and the people. I have been taking photos of the vendors there for a few years now, and here are a few of my recent favorites. More can be seen in my featured farmer's market gallery.

Spring in Syracuse

2009-03-21T16:34:00.007-04:00

We have some miniature irises in the front garden, and when they bloom it is a wonderful sign that spring is here. They usually bloom about the middle of March, but I think they were a few days early this year. The bees are very happy too.

Tomales Point, Point Reyes, CA

2009-03-16T16:17:00.003-04:00

I was in California over spring break visiting my family and had a chance to visit Point Reyes National Seashore. There are many beautiful place in this large park, and this is a photo taken on the north shore of Tomales Point.

Instruments

2009-03-16T16:08:00.005-04:00

I was at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Syracuse on Saturday and came across this composition as one of the bands had their instruments in the road before they had to march.

Headlights

2009-02-28T08:49:00.004-05:00

My friends Dani and Jim have some old abandoned and rusted out cars on their farm in Nelson, and I went out to take some photos in the snow. Here is one, highly Photoshopped to give an abstract painting effect.

Photography Course

2009-01-29T08:02:00.005-05:00

I will be teaching a photography course this spring for the Lifelong Learning Institute at Syracuse University. LLI courses are for people 50 and older. The course will run eight weeks from Tuesday, March 17 to Tuesday May 5, from 7-9pm. The description is on the LLI website: LLI Courses
Email me with any questions.

Tattoo Expo

2009-01-25T17:28:00.005-05:00

I went to the great Tattoo Expo on Saturday, where I saw some amazing tattoo artists and met lots of great people. Here is a sample shot, "Tattoo Meditation":

Winter Antiques Show

2009-01-22T08:56:00.008-05:00

I like to wander around antique shows, looking for interesting juxtapostions of people and images or icons for my "Presences" gallery. Last Sunday, I met Stephen White, who was enjoying his ice cream but agreed to sit for a portrait, which I call "Frozen Delight":

And I met Sue with her old flag and crucifix, a photo I call "Separation of Church and State":

PDH Buffalo Farm

2009-01-13T15:35:00.009-05:00

Pete and Debbie Head invited me down to their farm in Sempronius to take some photos of their buffalo in the snow. Here is a sample:

Exhibitions and Publications

2009-01-08T16:01:00.005-05:00

I will have an exhibition of color prints at the Maxwell Memorial Library, Camillus, from January 2nd to January 30th.

I will have an exhibition of black and white prints at the Wilson Art Gallery in the Noreen Reale Falcone Library at LeMoyne College, from January 26th to February 20th. Reception, Friday, January 30th from 4-6 pm.

I have four black and white photos in the upcoming third year issue of the arts magazine Stone Canoe, and one of them will be on display at the Delavan Art Gallery's Stone Canoe III exhibit, January 22 - February 28th. Opening Reception: Thursday, January 22, 5-8 PM.

Other recent news: My black and white photograph of Driftwood at Green Lakes won first place in
Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine's annual contest

My photo “Feet” was published in the February issue of Shutterbug Magazine

I also received honorable mention in Photographer's Forum magazine's 28th annual contest, and my photograph "Last Picture Show" was published in The Best of Photography Annual 2008, December 2008

Welcome!

2009-01-07T14:21:00.014-05:00

I have recently revised my photo website, and decided to add a blog. I'm not sure how often I will update this, but it seems a good idea to post here recent photos and other photography-related material. Please feel free to comment, below.