Category Archives: Art Gallery Question Of The Week

Wave Foam, lucky shot?

While working in the Gallery one day, I could not help but overhear a customer comment:  “What a lucky shot; he must have been using a very expensive camera.” It got me thinking … are my shots in fact a product of expensive equipment, lucky coincidence or talent?  The customer was commenting on the image, “Foamy Flute,” one of my most successful images.  Now, I recognize the customer has no real understanding that the foam (captured in a frozen state) was actually breaking on the sand at a speed faster than the human eye can process or appreciate.  The foam was happening with such speed that it wasn’t until I got my film back from the lab did I even understand what had occurred in front of me that morning, or just how perfect my timing, composition and exposure really was.

Lucky images are rarely stumbled upon; they are the product of many years of failures and successes. They are about effort, tenacity and memory. When an opportunity like “Foamy Flute“ presented itself, it took every one of those past experiences to apply the proper camera, lens, shutter speed, depth of field, shooting position and ultimately the precise moment needed to open the lens for 1/ 2500th of a second (faster than the blink of a human eye). Ultimately, I captured the image in question, an image whose composition, lighting and timing are as close to perfection as any I have ever taken.

Which brings me back to the answer of my original question … Yes.  My shots are a combination of equipment, luck, and talent to create this very special image. 

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Image Integrity

“Heroin’s Icy Curl”, photographed by Steve Munch in Kauai’s rich waters.

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: Do you Photoshop or “filter” your images to get those bright colors?

A: No, we try to stay authentic to the original integrity of the image.  Any images you see with especially vivid colors were shot with special film that brings out those colors.  We time our photographs to maximize the lighting and natural play of colors. Mother nature is pretty amazing, we are lucky to share how we see this beautiful world.

“Ventura Sunrise” and “Two Trees” by Steve Munch, photographed with Fuji Velvia film:

“Harbor Cove” by Stephanie Hogue, photographed in late afternoon sun at low tide, causing exquisite clarity and color variation in the Ventura Harbor water:  “Harbor Sunset” by Stephanie Hogue, captures a gorgeous winter sunset as it is mirrored in the water:

 

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Printing On Wood

40″x60″ “Foamy Flute” Artisan Wood with Horizontal Slats

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: How do you get the images on wood?

A: We have a local wood artist carve and shape the foundation. The edges and surface are prepped and the image is printed with a specially formulated ink, directly onto the finished wood foundation.  Yes, it is a big printer!

30″x72″ “La Playa Pier” Artisan Wood with Vertical Slats

Latitudes owner and artist Stephanie Hogue hard at work preparing a wood foundation for a custom order.

40″x60″ “Pastel Dunes” Artisan Wood with Horizontal Slats

40″x40″ “Morning Light” Artisan Wood, Solid

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Special Order Timeline

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: How long does it take to get a special order?

A: Since we do most of our printing in-house, our turnaround time is only about 2 weeks for prints, acrylic, and canvas. 3 weeks for metal, and  4-6 weeks for wood depending on what foundations we have in stock.  If you have a special occasion or a firm deadline, we can often get your item in time, even if it is less than the usual turnaround, just ask!

Art Gallery Question Of The Week – Who is the Photographer

As art consultants, we are often asked what is possible in our gallery. Each week we will highlight a FAQ on our blog to help you get the most out of your art shopping experience.

Q: Who takes these photos? Do you accept other artists?

A: All of the photos are by just two people, Stephanie Hogue and Steve Munch, the gallery owners and photographers.

Both Stephanie and Steve were professional photographers before they met, Steve already owned a small photography studio as well as a golf shop, and Stephanie was a popular wedding and portrait photographer.

The photographic universe kept bringing the artists together. They knew of each other for some time, but their paths didn’t cross until 2010 when Steve ran across the street in front of Stephanie’s car.  They were both in the harbor to photograph the snow-capped mountains and the resulting images were “Mighty Chieftain” and “Snow-caps and Sunshine.”

“Mighty Chieftain” by Steve Munch

The next day fate worked it’s magic again as they were seated next to each other at dinner and Stephanie’s husband, Jim, who knew Steve from the golf shop and photo lab, made the introduction.

“Snowcaps and Sunshine” by Stephanie Hogue

It so happened that both of them needed what the other offered: inspiration and knowledge.  That was serendipitous beginning to this artistic duo joining forces and becoming the photography team known as Latitudes.  We are so happy they did!