Local fine art photographer wins top award from Ward Museum
Andy Gordon, a newcomer to the Delmarva art scene, was recognized for his fine art photography at the 2017 Art in Nature Photo Competition at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, Md. The Grand Champion image was selected from nearly 1,000 images from over 170 photographers. Gordon, who lives near Bethany Beach, specializes in abstract and minimalist images ranging from tiny objects to landscapes.
"The ‘Fall Maple Leaf’ image is one of my favorites, and I am grateful to the judges for recognizing my unique vision and celebration of nature's beauty through the cycles of life," Gordon said. "It's an image where I purposely minimized distractions and allowed the subject to shine."
In addition to receiving the Grand Champion award, Gordon placed first and second in the professional Black and White Category, with “Sunset Sunflower” in first and “Horseshoe Crab #3” in second.
To create the winning "Fall Maple Leaf" image, Gordon used an advanced imaging technique that captures the subject at many different focal planes. "It's like taking an MRI or CAT scan of the subject. It's a painstaking process, but the results are so crisp that you can almost feel the texture of the leaf," said Gordon.
Gordon comes to fine art photography following a successful career as a printing industry technologist and strategist. He received formal training at the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor of art degree in photojournalism and a master’s of science in printing technology. Today, technology plays a key role in Gordon's work, spanning complex camera techniques to beautifully printed and compelling images. "Viewing and enjoying art is an experience, and the details matter," Gordon said. "It's the difference between an average image and a great one. The magic occurs when the viewers no longer concern themselves with how the image is made and simply enjoy the results."
Gordon launched Andy Gordon Photography in 2016. His work is available on his website, www.andygordon.photo, which also has a listing of local shops which carry his prints. While he primarily focuses on fine art photography, he is also available for commissions and editorial work, and will approach projects with patience, curiosity, and a commitment to making images that are impactful and magical. He can be reached at 301-980-6242.
