Third Thursdays – November Talk is Posted

Our November talk featured Sharon Harris and Cliff Cooper.

The show was moderated by Third Thursday founders, Heather Palacek and Habiyb Shu’Aib.

Third Thursdays are hosted by Michael Chovan-Dalton of the JKC Gallery / Mercer County Community College.

Links:
http://sharonharrisphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/in.a.lucid.dream/
https://heatherpalecek.squarespace.com
https://beloved1photo.com

https://www.mccc.edu

Cliff Cooper is a street photographer from central NJ who focuses on suburbs, beaches, and state fairs.

“It doesn’t matter what subject you take on. In the end, whatever you do is going to be a self-portrait that will reveal who you are. If it’s arrogant, it’s about you, if it’s pretentious, that’s about you. Don’t think you can escape yourself by your choice of subject matter.” —William Kentridge 

Every memorable photograph is not defined by the obvious parts of the photograph, but rather by that one seemingly small detail that deeply resonates with the viewer, stirring and striking their heart.

This phenomenon is similar to a dream. We will usually not remember our dreams in their entirety, but we may remember small instances or details that stir our emotions. These details may not be part of the main content or “plot” of the dream; they are often less obvious. They are the small but compelling details that allude to an emotional connection within us and get us to open our eyes. It is that emotional connection that makes taking photographs (people, places, things, etc.) such a joy for me. Photography offers a way for me to escape the daily realities of the cold world we live in, and to live within my own lucid dreams.

-Cliff Cooper

Sharon Harris specializes in lens-less pinhole photography. 

Pinhole photography enables me to see the world in surprising ways.  This art form has the ability to bend reality, to change things. The hope that an image will exceed my imagination is my driving force.  Although I conjure up in my mind what I think an image will look like, more often than not, it turns out that it has taken on a life of its own.  

My work revolves around the female form in various environments.  These environments are usually not on a grand scale but captured in a more intimate setting. The spaces I seek to photograph may include structures that can be transformed by the pinhole evoking a sense of otherworldliness. I use props in much the same way and in collaboration with models we hope to bring forth new possibilities. These figures appear very alone as if they are trapped in their respective realities. Existing in their limbo like space the subjects seem to be unaware of the viewer.  It is as if one has happened upon a scene, as if the curtain has been drawn back.

All of my series reflect my desire to capture the unusual.  Through the pinhole I have been led to a curious, eccentric, and somewhat strange world.

-Sharon Harris