"Stumpy Creek - Fall Colors" photograph
Ouachita River Art Gallery’s featured artist in April is photographer Allen Harrison of West Monroe, LA. Allen has been taking photographs with a 35 mm camera for over thirty years, and says, “It has always been a challenge to capture, on film or digitally, an image as I see it with my eyes. The new digital cameras really help, but it’s still a struggle to blend the technical aspects of photography with the creativity of art.”
Allen views photography as a unique art form that can be used to capture a beautiful scene, a special person, a memorable occasion, or just a moment in time. Since it is quick, convenient, and economical, it can also be used to easily document an event. The aspect of photography that really intrigues him is when a photographer and his camera capture a truly remarkable image. That image may be a fantastic landscape scene, a dramatic historical event, or simply the quizzical facial expression of a child. Sometimes the photograph is the result of hours of planning and elaborate staging, or it may have been a “just grab the camera and shoot” situation. Whatever the case, Harrison thinks this special moment is normally a combination of the following factors coming together: Training and skill of the photographer; creativity and experience; being at the right place at the right time; luck.
Over the last ten years Allen thinks he as been fortunate to have some of his photographs shown at the Masur Museum, two images selected by Louisiana Life magazine, and several others shown at local exhibits and contests. Harrison says he takes pictures that interest him, structures, colors, scenic, historical, nature, black & white, comical, or whatever situation may arise.
Harrison says, “During the last few years photography has led me down some interesting paths. I have had the opportunity to travel to some awesome places and meet some people I would not have met otherwise. I’ve worked on some special projects, learned a great deal, and sold my prints to customers all across the United States. My most common subject matter is old pickup trucks, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and nature scenes. Although I may never capture that really special photograph, I’m having a great time trying.”
The Ouachita River Art Gallery , 308 Trenton Street, West Monroe , invites you to come see Allen ’s work during the month of April . Admission to the gallery is always free. When you shop at your local gallery, you not only help our economy by keeping your money in the area, you also save on taxes and shipping. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paintings and photographs by gallery members can also be seen at ORAG’s extension gallery located in the lobby of Ouachita Independent Bank/Bankers Mortgage Plaza at 18th and Louisville in Monroe . Call 322-2380 for more information.
