Local photographers focus on Hudson Valley farms

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Free Library’s Off the Wall Gallery focused its lens on the farms of Dutchess County in its new photography exhibit, Hudson Valley Farms Fading and Flourishing. Development coordinator at the library Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi reached out to local photographers asking them to submit any photos taken of local farms in the region. The result was a collection of photography displaying farms in use, the surrounding landscape and farms in varying stages of decay. The photographers who participated include: Lori Adams, Brandt Bolding, Lisa Dellwo, Jerry Freedner, Pat Ike, Mary Moeller, G.A. Mudge, Robert Warner and Ann Dillon Wilkinson. On Friday, Oct. 5, an opening reception was held at the gallery. “Lorraine put out a call for any farm-related imagery, as long as it’s focused to this region, and this is what she came up with,” Dellwo said. “It’s a really strong body of work with amazing diversity of the images, but they are all really strong.”Dellwo has been a photographer for more than 10 years, all beginning when she had an opportunity to travel to Antarctica with her husband. Dellwo decided the trip called for more than a point-and-shoot camera. From there her passion for photography flourished. Dellwo balances shooting photography between being a hobby and a profession; she works with digital photography and enjoys manipulating images on the computer as well. “I like structures. I rarely see a landscape photo of mine that doesn’t have a fence or building in it, there is something about structures,” Dellwo said. “I have been shooting old buildings around here as long as I have been living here. Farming is just such an important part of this community that it makes me feel like it pulls me into that.”Bolding said the photography in the show is interesting because of the subject.“The work of great photographers primarily doesn’t involve these sorts of things,” Bolding said. “A lot of the things in the show here are showing farms that are in decay that aren’t being used, so why would anybody want to take a picture of it? It’s interesting to see the photographer taking the time to reevaluate something, whether it’s a field or a farm or set of farm buildings.”Bolding said he believes the old farm structures are worth preserving and has been documenting and recording rural landscape in the northeastern United States. He says it’s great to see other photographers doing the same. Bolding has been a professional photographer for 10 years and is also a documentary filmmaker.“Having people call attention to these landscapes is fabulous,” said Bolding. “One of the great things about being a part of this is a lot of the photographers and artists tell us in their own way these things are worthy to look at; they’re beautiful. It’s a part of our landscape that can disappear, and we want you to know about it.” The new director at the Millbrook Public Library, Erin Barnard, was present and happy to meet community members at the show. The photography exhibition will be up through the month of October during normal library hours. “One of the things that I think is important about this show is that it strikes emotional chords when you see the photographs,” Hartin-Gelardi said. “The farms in particular are provocative in places that we have all been; it’s home, so people really respond to this show in a way that they haven’t to some of the other shows. There’s a real emotional response, plus it’s beautifully stunning work.”