October Issue 2000
Footlight Players Offers Exhibit of Photographs by Luke Platt
The
Lowcountry, is an exhibition of recent
photographs by Luke Platt which will be on view at the Footlight
Players Gallery, in Dubose Heyward Hall, at the Footlight Players
Workshop Theatre, in Charleston, SC. The exhibition will be on
display from Oct. 3 through Oct. 21, 2000.
Luke Platt has been capturing nature's secrets on photographic
film since the mid-1980s, which have grabbed the attention of
other serious photographers and made them wonder, "How did
he get that? And, why didn't I see it?" His work is well
known by South Carolina's nature photography community, but the
public has rarely seen more than a few of his images at any one
time. Three of his images are currently on exhibit in a group
photography show at Artizom Gallery in Charleston.
"As a photographer who loves the outdoors, I have spent much
of my time exploring the natural highlights of South Carolina
and points beyond. Shooting in medium format, I've photographed
scenics and close-ups in wilderness areas such as the ACE Basin
National Refuge, The Francis Marion National Forest and the mountains
of upstate South Carolina. I use a Mamiya R2, medium-format camera,
and Fuji Velvia film," says Platt.
Platt has usually been included in the top winners group of photography
competitions he enters, most recently winning the Best of Show
award in the 1997 Sierra Club Nature Photography Juried Exhibit
& Competition. One of his images was made into a mural
at the Sewee Visitor Center in Awendaw, SC.
One of Platt's best friends and photography companion is Tom Blagden,
Jr. When asked to comment about Platt's upcoming exhibition, this
is what Blagden had to say:
"It is a treat for the community to see photographs by Luke
Platt, for he is one of those rare photographers for whom the
quest for light is so totally personal that he is not preoccupied
with sharing it. Ironically, this kind of private passion is the
very stuff from which compelling images evolve. Instead of the
relentless pursuit of self-promotion which plaques most artists,
Platt seeks instead those quiet, resonant moments in nature. He
asks nothing more than the pure experience, in which he trusts
nature will ultimately reveal herself. He perceives it as a gift,
and, for Platt, the rest of the process is intuitive," says
Blagden.
"I've had the good fortune of sharing many a wilderness destination
with Luke. Often working together side-by-side, his unique eye
will usually detect something totally different. Having changed
camera systems and even formats over the years, he is undaunted
by the challenges of wherever his vision leads him, yet he shuns
technical complexity, working with only one camera and lens for
the past several years. The variety and quality of his images
belie his simple approach. Platt exercises a perceptive eye for
subtle detail and rich textures, yet he equally captures spacious
landscapes powerful in mood and atmosphere. His photographs are
most worthy of our recognition, and then, just maybe, we'll get
to see more of them in the future."
Blagden has been a professional photographer for over 20 years.
He has had four photography books published including: South
Carolina's Wetland Wilderness: The ACE Basin, South Carolina's
Mountain Wilderness: The Blue Ridge Escarpment, South Carolina
Reflections, and most recently The Rivers of South Carolina.
The exhibition is being sponsored by the Coastal Conservation
League, an environmental organization headquartered in Charleston.
After this exhibit the photographs will be at the Coastal Conservation
League's office at 485 East Bay Street, next to Luden's. Call
for information on viewing or about sale of the photographs.
Prints of images seen at the Footlight Players Gallery will also
be available for sale.
For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings
or call the Footlight Players at 843/722-7521
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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