All images copyright by the individual photographers

	Star Trails over Sodus Point by Joe Altieri Joe Altieri has contributed three impressive photographs to this featured exhibit: a composite of the Eclipse, a wonderful view of the Milky Way, and the captivating Star Trails over Sodus Point. The latter is a masterfully balanced photo that employs a sophisticated technique to track the stars' movements across the sky. Just as the sun rises and sets due to the Earth's rotation, the stars follow a similar pattern. However, one star remains steadfast: the North Star, or Polaris. Polaris appears stationary because the Earth's axis points directly at it, creating the mesmerizing effect of star trails as all other stars seem to dance around it. For most of us, especially those in urban areas, stargazing is often hindered by light pollution, making it challenging to appreciate the vastness of the night sky. Photographers, however, have found ways to overcome this by using techniques that involve multiple long-exposure shots, ranging from 15 minutes to several hours. These images are then meticulously compiled using special software to reveal a hidden world of celestial beauty. In Star Trails over Sodus Point, Joe skillfully uses Polaris as the focal point, aligning the lighthouse to point directly at the star. To create a dynamic balance, he includes the setting sun diagonally to the left, opposite Polaris. This composition not only anchors the viewer's gaze but also beautifully illustrates the transition of evening light—from the bright, warm hues of the setting sun, through the serene blue twilight, to the rich magenta tones, and finally to the deep, cold blue-black of space. Thank you, Joe, for sharing this skillful and evocative rendering of a cherished locale for many in the Rochester area. By Dick Bennett
	Arriving at Port Soon - by Neal Bourque Neal Bourque's eclectic series of photographs showcases his relentless pursuit to "chase the light." "Being an observer as well as a participant in capturing a moment in time and sharing that vision and feeling with others is a phenomenal sensation," he states. Arriving at Port Soon exemplifies his masterful storytelling through light. As the light gently washes over the window, it suggests the golden hour, a time when the light is more subdued and lower on the horizon. Neal's sharp angle directs the viewer's eye from left to right, highlighting the soft light on the person gazing out the window towards the approaching city. Though the passenger’s face remains unseen, the palette of soft browns, grays, and a delicate contrast of blue from the sky and water evokes a sense of calm and purposeful anticipation for the journey ahead. Neal has captured a moment that might be overlooked by many photographers seeking something overtly exciting or cheerful. Yet, in Neal’s hands, this scene transforms into a narrative of quiet anticipation and introspection. Thank you, Neal, for demonstrating how light can illuminate a story that is profound and worthy of contemplation. By Dick Bennett
	Plum Blossom Sadness by Steve Dent Steve Dent has been a frequent artist at Image City over the past few years. You will be seeing his work over the next three exhibits as he is our current Visiting Artist. Steve is a very accomplished photographer with a large inventory of exquisite photographs. He is particularly proficient with model and dance photography. The collection you see on his panel indicates that proficiency, but with a twist I have not seen in his work prior to this exhibit. Steve has effectively developed this segmented presentation technique that seems to define the “shape” of his subjects and their mood. I intend to ask him myself how he produced this technically. They are all wonderful, but Plum Blossom Sadness is my favorite in the presentation. It would have been an interesting composition without the rectangular sections, but they do such a nice job of framing his subject that they come across as a perfect finishing element. Notice how the central vertical rectangle captures the essence of the photograph including the model’s face glancing downward and her hands playing with her hair. This piece could have been a successful photograph by itself. The other rectangles contain her arms and elbow that complete a wonderfully flowing image. I enjoy all these compositions. Which one is your favorite? By Don Menges
	Milky Way by Tom Knauss Congratulations to Tom Knauss, who received a Gallery Pick for his image, Milky Way. This panoramic photograph, which includes eight images, captures a moment of natural harmony, where the day and night seem to hold a brief, yet magnificent conversation across the expanse of the sky. It is an image that transcends the ordinary, whisking viewers away to the serene landscape of Beaver Creek in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, where the Milky Way smiles down on the rugged beauty of the terrain. On the left the city lights from Driggs, Idaho, which is approximately ten miles away, can be seen behind the silhouetted mountains, painting the palette of fiery oranges, soft yellows and gentle greens. The true star of the image, the Milky Way shows the purity of Wyoming’s sky, the galaxy arching gracefully over the landscape. Its myriad stars twinkle while forming a celestial river that flows through the heavens. The choice of a panoramic format allows viewers to immerse themselves fully into the scene. It offers a sense of scale and grandeur, emphasizing the vastness of the sky against the rugged landscape. One cannot help but feel a profound sense of awe and tranquility while gazing at this image, which has the ability to evoke an emotional response with its reminder of the simple beauty that comes from the transition of day and night. We are offered a glimpse into a world that feels both vast and intimate, a universe that stretches beyond the horizon, yet touches the soul directly. This is truly a stunning piece of art that deserves to be admired and celebrated. (After communicating with Tom, I discovered that the temperature was 20 degrees below zero. The snow was 6-8 feet deep. Snow boots were mounted onto the tripod legs to prevent them from sinking. The photo session began at 3 am and ended around 6 am when the sun came up. Tom wore snowshoes throughout the photo session, and hiking was required to reach the camera position.) By Marie Costanza
	Roads Less Traveled by Margy Meath Margy invites us along this “road less traveled” that leads to two places: to a farm – a place that’s all about our home, the earth, and just beyond the hill and into the sky, to the Milky Way and the star-filled universe where wonder is at home. It would be enough to look at this image, and simply resonate with the profound story it tells. But it’s also important to point out how the story is told, because it reflects the artistry of the photographer. The photograph beautifully expresses these two aspects of our human experience with gentle and very effective use of composition. The road, wide at the bottom of the photograph, narrows, leading our eyes to the lights at the farm, the warm green color welcoming us, and then the Milky Way draws us up into the sky and into the vast star field at the top of the photograph. The light from the Milky Way dusts, draws us back to the tree, and we can wander around the farm a bit, the silo sending our eyes again to the sky for a glance.  Back across the road, the trees stand silhouetted against the gentle light from the earth, balancing the farm structures across the road. It’s also been fun to look at some of the details that are so clear – the telephone pole, the road sign, the windows and doors on the buildings. The story is told subtly without great drama, but with gentleness and care. Thank you, Margy for this beautiful contribution. by John Solberg
	The Art Teacher by Michelle Turner Congratulations to Michelle Turner, whose image entitled The Art Teacher, is recognized as a Gallery Pick. When Michelle traveled to ancient and modern cities in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Lao, Cambodia and South Viet Nam, one of her photography goals was to capture modern life in each setting. The Art Teacher, one of her images in her exhibit, clearly met her goal. It is a compelling image capturing an intimate and candid moment between two individuals, in a learning or mentorship setting. The teacher, dressed in a cultural garment, is watching intently as the student creates his artwork. The teacher’s hand is placed thoughtfully on his cheek, suggesting contemplation or deep consideration of what is being created. The concentration in the teacher’s expression is palpable and adds to the depth of the scene. The student, wearing modern clothing, is immersed in his work, looking down at the papers in front of him. His body language suggests he is deeply focused on his creation. The overall composition of the photo is well-balanced, with a symmetry created by the participants’ engagement and the placement of objects on the table. The use of natural lighting contributes to the warmth of the scene and helps to create a relaxed atmosphere. The photograph has a story-telling quality to it, leaving viewers curious about the relationship between the two individuals, the nature of their exchange, and the content of their work. Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your captivating images from Southeast Asia. By Marie Costanza