Dusk to Dawn Show

By StargazerRon

During the month of January, Ronald Williams will show 22 curated photographs in the Faulkner East Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library in a solo exhibition titled “Dusk to Dawn.” It will be a display of night photography that applies modern digital camera and computer processing techniques to record scenes that would have been virtually impossible to make in the days of film. The exhibition includes photographs from three distinct dusk-to-dawn motifs: trains, cityscapes, and starscapes.

Night photography can be a challenging but rewarding genre of the visual arts since it requires the use of longer exposures and specialized equipment to capture the low light levels that exist after dusk. Digital cameras have made it possible to capture high-quality images in dimly lit conditions, thanks to their ability to adjust sensitivity to low light levels paired with advanced image post processing capabilities using computers. The latter includes such techniques as image stacking that can be used to enhance the final image and bring out the shadow details that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Trains, cityscapes, and starscapes are all popular subjects for night photography since they offer a range of interesting and dramatic visual elements that can be highlighted by the use of long exposures and creative techniques. The exhibit includes the trails of light left by passing trains and stars, glowing cities, and the Milky Way and colorful nebulae in the night sky.

When entering the East Gallery the viewer is greeted by three large metal prints of speeding Amtrak trains. That motif is continued on the left gallery wall with three flowing train images printed on archival paper. Continuing along that wall are five framed and matted paper prints of Milky Way scenes culminated by the inclusion of a small metal print of the Orion Nebula that adds another element of diversity to the exhibition. Returning to the front of the gallery along the right wall there is a series of night time cityscapes, beginning with a large metal panorama of San Francisco’s Embarcadero followed by four framed paper prints of Chicago’s stunning architecture. Then, near the end, is a quadrangle of metal prints of total solar and lunar eclipses as well as a remarkable view of the moon revealing that it actually exhibits some color. Finally, there is a small acrylic print of the Horsehead Nebula. The inclusion of both man-made and natural subjects is intended to create a dynamic and engaging display for the viewer and to present something for everyone to enjoy.

Ronald “Ron” Williams has resided in Santa Barbara for six decades. As a research scientist and as a photographer he has pursued both vocation and avocation while enjoying their overlaps. He has won a number of photo contests and has exhibited his work in several Santa Barbara galleries. Fifteen of his prints are part of the permanent collection of art at Cottage Hospital and dozens are to be found in the homes of private collectors.

The show will be open from January 4th – 30th during Library hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm, Thursday 10am – 6pm, and closed Sunday and Monday. Ron will be present in the gallery on First Thursday, January 5, from 5pm – 8pm. The Santa Barbara Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of the meetings or meeting room users.