Palisadian Lowell Crist will be the featured photographer in an exhibition at the Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real, running from August 2 through August 27. A reception for the artist will be held on Saturday, August 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. Crist became interested in photography as a young kid. He helped his dad take movies on their vacation trips, although his interest was more a fascination with the technology than producing lasting works of art. After training as a classical musician in college, he received a second-hand 35 mm SLR upon graduation, and has been taking still photos ever since. ‘I enjoyed the process of capturing interesting locales, but basically I hadn’t progressed beyond the snapshot stage.’ Now, over 40 years later, all that has changed. After retiring in 2001 from a working life analyzing, designing and implementing computer software systems, Crist began hiking and backpacking with his life partner Suzanne, and found the scenery so spectacular that he wanted to somehow bring back that experience and share it with others. Photography was the way to do this. ‘But I needed to improve my skills, so I studied the images of famous photographers, read many books, and took some classes at Santa Monica College, which has an outstanding photography department. This helped me progress from snapshots to taking more interesting photos, and finally to fine art photography. Much to my surprise, I discovered that making a fine print can be just as difficult as capturing a good image.’ Crist’s initial sojourns were to the Eastern Sierras. He had been traveling to Mammoth every winter since 1970 to ski, but had never realized the richness and variety of the scenery just a few miles away from the main highway. ‘My first trip to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (just an hour from Big Pine) made a real impression on me’I had never seen trees like these before. They have the distinction of being the oldest living things on our planet, and their shapes are the most varied of any tree anywhere. I’ve returned there many times to record my favorite trees in different seasons and lighting conditions. There is something quite humbling about these trees, some of which have been around for nearly 5,000 years. No matter what other photographic subjects I find appealing, these trees will always remain special for me.’ Crist has visited many other interesting areas in the Eastern Sierras which offered him limitless photographic possibilities. ‘The Alabama Hills border the highway around Lone Pine. This area has been used in hundreds of Westerns, yet I had never stopped to enjoy it.’ And of course, he’s climbed Mount Whitney, explored Convict Lake, Mono Lake, and the town of Bodie. ‘I’m always looking for the unusual: interesting light, composition or texture to draw the viewer into the scene. Since there are thousands of wonderful pictures of Yosemite by well known photographers, I’ve tried to avoid the ‘famous’ standard shots which everyone immediately recognizes. There are millions of other opportunities and places, if one is constantly aware and looking for them.’
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