A view through three lenses

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Florida photographers Will Abair, Robert Carlsen and Bob Currul see the world through different lenses, but Rose Room Gallery curator Mary McBride believes that the work of these three men have more in common than they realize.

The new exhibit at the Rose Room Gallery takes viewers through a journey of nature photography; Currul focusing on birds, Abair focusing on landscapes and cypress trees, and Carlsen focusing on everything in between.

Abair, an award winning nature photographer in Daytona Beach, started with a Brownie Box camera as a youth and now works with digital images. From South Louisiana, he moved to Florida over 20 years ago and spends a great deal of time outdoors in search of beautiful images to share with others.

“I’ve been outdoors in nature all my life,” Abair said. “So many people don’t have a chance to see it even though they live in Florida. They go to the beach, but don’t go out to the true wilderness of Florida.”

Abair said that sharing those rarely seen scenes are what drives his photography.

Carlsen, of Palm Coast, began taking photographs over 30 years ago. He studied art and photography at St. Petersburg College and after years of portraiture and wedding photography in New York City, Carlsen moved into teaching digital workshops and taking photographers on photo safaris.

He lectures on the various aspects of photography and printing. Also an award winning photographer, his work is in various galleries, exhibitions, magazines, and calendars.

While included in this show of nature photography, Carlsen admits that a lot of his photographs are not of nature. Several of his more known images depict the Flagler Beach Pier.

“I decided a long time ago that I would photograph everything,” he said.

Carlsen considers his work to be photographic art opposed to straight photography.

“Most of the prints I make, especially on canvas, look much like paintings, on purpose,” he said. “I alter my images to make it more of an emotional painterish feel, and I call it photographic art for that reason. It’s my hope that the viewer gets an emotional reaction looking at the work, as if they were there on scene.”

The show is rounded out by Currul, 70, who became interested in photography while in the Marine Corps stationed in Vietnam. After he retired, he joined the Florida Marine Patrol, which eventually became Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Through the years he traveled to The Keys and South Africa all the while, taking photographs as he learned the techniques and developed the photographer’s eye.

Currul said he is drawn to photograph large birds because of their freedom and naturalness.

“They are part of nature and like the way they work,” he said of the cranes that live on his property. “I shoot because I like to share a good feeling with people.”

Currul also works with Photoshop to enhance some of his images and does all his own printing and framing.

At the opening reception to be held June 19, classically trained musician Eric Lesko will perform.

The Rose Room Gallery will close at the end of this exhibition and reopen Sept. 15 featuring two group shows, and closing out the year with works by Lillian Verkins in November/December.

IF YOU GO
What: A View Through the Lenses of Three Florida Photographers: Will Abair, Robert Carlsen, Bob Currul
When: reception 5:30-7:30 June 19. The exhibit will run through July 12.
Where: Rose Room Gallery, Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Boulevard, Daytona Beach

Postcard arrives at Peabody 67 years after mailed
The Peabody staff received a postcard May 13 that was postmarked 67 years ago. It was delivered with the routine mail service by the regular postman to the Peabody Auditorium. The original postmark date was June 1, 1947. The only other postmark date was San Francisco May 8, 2014.

Written on the copy side of the postcard: “Thought you’d enjoy these scenes from ole Ireland. We are cruising Irish Sea – now in a ferry. Great….The Beards.”

It was addressed to Dolores Callahan, assistant auditorium manager.

If you happen to know anything more about this postcard or anyone associated with it, please contact Helen Riger, Executive Director, at 671-8252.