Fotofoto Gallery Focuses On ‘Fine Art Photography’

Holly Gordon, a fine art photographer and publicity coordinator for Fotofoto Gallery, said that the gallery encourages photographers to experiment, explore and expand. Long Islander News Photo/Janee Law

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

While each image that hangs in Fotofoto Gallery started out as a photograph, viewers might be surprised to learn that what they’re seeing actually is a photo.

The development that photographers put into their work starts with camera settings, concludes in the digital darkroom, and results in stunning works of art.

“We are fine art photographers," said Holly Gordon, publicity coordinator for the Huntington village gallery. "We have a serious vision and idea about what we’re doing when determining our imagery."

Gordon, of Bay Shore, added, “It’s much more complicated than just pushing a button and letting the technology surprise us.”

Photography is both a versatile tool and medium, and it’s changed since the industry moved into the digital age, Gordon explained.

With that, Fotofoto Gallery serves as a “homegrown basis right here in Huntington for where photography is today.” It began in 2003 on the top floor of a New York Avenue building, but moved seven years ago to its current shared space at 14 West Carver St.

As the location has changed, so has artist membership, Gordon said. The gallery currently sports around 10 members. “It’s pretty extraordinary that we have done better than survive with the economic debacle,” Gordon said.

What has made the gallery successful is its integrity, the attitude its members have toward quality work, and their ability to relate to the public, she said.

“There’s something very special about being part of an organization where we’re all supportive and like-minded,” Gordon said. “It’s very synergistic — the whole is greater than the sum of its parts because each of us uses the gallery in our own way. ... It becomes a springboard for exhibiting elsewhere, and any of our personal successes just reflect on being part of this gallery.”

Those interested in becoming a member, Gordon said, can submit a portfolio, artist statement, and meet members of the organization. Once a member, artists are given the opportunity to have a solo exhibit each year at the gallery.

“We are looking to encourage photographers to experiment, explore and expand,” Gordon said. “We are the only collective photography gallery on Long Island that gives serious photographers, who have a personal vision, an opportunity to exhibit a body of work annually and engage with other serious like-minded photographers.”

The nonprofit hosts a different exhibit each month; it’s currently displaying “A Closer Look,” which features the works of nine photographers. The theme of the exhibit is “how each of the artists have looked closely to create their images,” Gordon said. It will be on display until Nov. 25.

“It was titled loosely because each of us has our vision, our own technique and our own idea,” she said. “When we have a group show, we want the theme to be broad enough to let us all do our thing.”

Following that, the gallery will be hosting its 13th Annual National Photography Competition, through which photographers across the country will submit their work for a chance to win a prize and be featured in an exhibition next year.

Editor's note: The 13th Annual National Photography Competition is open to
all photographers. An earlier version of this story, and the print version in
the Nov. 9, 2017 issue of The Long-Islander, incorrectly stated otherwise.