Over 100 years ago someone patiently coated pieces of glass with a silver-based
emulsion, making sure to protect them from light until the time and place was
right. Afterwards they carried their heavy camera around the countryside until
stopping to set up, frame the image, load the glass plate, measure the light, and
capture what intrigued them. One exposure, maybe two, being careful to get it
right. At this point if all their work was done accurately, processing would result
in a glass negative of highlights and shadows, dark trees resembling white trees.
The image captured might be carefully printed to create a positive black and white
print or stored away in the most archival way possible. The photograph would be
cherished - framed, hung on the wall, shared with those close by. Flaws embraced,
prints and negatives could be passed down to the next generation.

 

Today over three billion photographs are posted to the internet a day. These are
images from all over the world, often taken with phones the size of a hand,
captured with one touch, and shared with a click. For most of them the number of
‘likes’ may be the primary purpose, translated to mean approval in the simplest
form. The upload may be the only storage, ending up in a digital album on a
distant server. These photos are rarely considered precious, often the true value is
found in the relationship between sharing and viewing.
 

So, reaching back to appreciate the knowledge, craftsmanship, and effort
contained in a single frame, while reaching out to embrace spontaneity,
accessibility, and global sharing - is an opportunity to welcome this point, place,
and intersection. We are here today and made of history. We are the blue ocean
and black and white tall sailing ships, gray trees and colored roots, a canyon and a
rock. Silver and pixels, sympnoia panta - all things conspire.