‘A Photographer’s Life’

MIDDLETOWN — Capturing images through his camera provides a visual storehouse of Chet Gordon’s life during the past 20 years.

Images of people, sports-in-action, scenes in his extensive travel, some taken for newspapers and other media while on location and others while doing volunteer work but all through the keen perspective of a photojournalist comprise the exhibit in Orange Hall Gallery.

Entitled “A Photographer’s Life,” the exhibit allows the viewer to step into the world of this serious and compassionate man whose works fulfill the expression: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

The exhibit opens with an after-hours reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, during which pianist Lou Balascio will play jazz and classical music.

Master class
Immediately following the reception, Gordon will give a master class during which he will explain lighting for portraiture and sports. In addition, he will show cameras, strobes, and other gear and discuss photojournalism in a changing climate of bottom line media and corporate ownership. A Q&A will follow.

“It is a real opportunity to view these works and attend the master class,” Dorothy Szefc, the college’s Cultural Affairs coordinator said in her press release detailing the exhibit and master class. “He is an expert and is willing to share his knowledge of equipment and technique. He is a caring individual who has given countless hours to Operation Smile. In addition, his working vacations are the norm during which he voluntarily accompanies humanitarian relief efforts to natural disasters and medical mercy missions. The framed photographs that comprise the show are his favorites. They give a glimpse into the man within.

Career
An honorably discharged U.S. Marine, Gordon has been a photojournalist for 25 years during which he has worked as a staff photographer at four metro area newspapers and as a photo editor at the N.Y. Daily News.

His work also has appeared in The New York Times, International Herald-Tribune, USA Today, Army Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Popular Photography and American Teacher magazines. He is a career member of the National Press Photographers Association and a former board member of the NY Press Photographers Association.

Essential information
The exhibit, reception, and master class are free and open to the public.

For more information, call 845-341-4891; e-mail cultural@sunyorange.edu; or visit online at www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs.