Current Show
The Unknowns: Images from a Bygone Era
Work by Various Unknown Photographers
June 12–July 26
Reception June 26 — Coincides with Troy Night Out
Photo History Presentation 7–9 p.m. June 19
This is an extensive collection of vintage images from the 1800s, including people in a variety of settings from professional portraits to amateur captures of family outings. All are unique, poignant, foreign yet familiar and all are Unknown.
“During this time, photography was born and growing rapidly. Like our digital age of today, new processes and vast improvements on technique and equipment were being discovered every few years. Through this exhibition we observe the transformation of photography and the ways in which people were using the camera. The Photography Center is paying homage to our current processes of photography through these examples of its beginnings.”
— Katherine Wright, Curator
The majority of images that will be on display are from Executive Director Nicholas Argyros’ personal collection. With his life-long love and fascination of photography, Nick’s obsession with the photographic image and processes has lead to an extensive collection of early images including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, cartes d’ visite, and glass plates.

Clockwise from top left: boy in formal pose: ambrotype in gilded case made by Schoonmakers of 282 River Street in Troy, probably 1850s; formal portrait with curled hair, possibly a cross-dressed man, daguerreotype in gilded case, probably 1840s; unusual daguerreotype of somber woman in bonnet profile (usually portraits of the period were full face frontal) by John Adams Whipple in his Boston studio probably 1840s; three people perhaps on a picnic, one woman holding a straw hat, possibly the photographer’s, from a glass plate negative found in a Pennsylvania attic, late 1800s; one horse open sleigh, from a glass plate negative found in a Pennsylvania attic, rare outdoor winter photograph, especially where a horse is sharply depicted, probably from late 1800s. [Glass plate negatives courtesy of C. Lindenmuth.]
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Future Exhibitions
3rd Annual Members Show
July 31–September 7 (Labor Day)
Receptions July 31 and August 28
Call for Entries
Submission deadline is Sunday, July 19. Notification of selections will be Tuesday, July 21. Dropoff deadline is 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Watch for further details.
Download a printable PDF entry form.
The Hudson
Celebrating The Quadricentennial
September 18–November 1
Receptions September 25 and October 30
A photo exhibition of images of the river, its environs, its moods, or related events or places.
You do not need to be a member to enter and exhibit in the Huson 400 exhibition.
Work for exhibition can be submitted as digital files (on CD or an e-mail attachment) or as prints.
Please call if you have any questions.Watch for further details.
Call for Entries
Submission deadline is August 23. Notification of selections will be August 28. Dropoff deadline is September 13.
Entry fees
Non-Members $35
Basic Members $25
Studio Members $20
Supporting Members $15
Another Anniversary Event
The PhotoCenter is planning to mount a similar exhibit at StampExpo 400. Opening day for the philatelic show coincides with the PhotoCenter's first reception.

Somewhere in Time
Victorian Portraitist Lady Ostapeck
November 6–December 20
Reception November 27
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Former Exhibitions
“The Best of 2008”
January 23–March 8, 2009
Opening Reception 5–9 p.m. Friday, January 30

This show featured the finest work of all photographers and members for during 2008. The three top winners were, counterclockwise from top left, First Place: Eileen Clynes, Owners Feet;
Second Place: Robert J. Near, Clearing the Storm; and
Third Place: and Sean Sullivan, Vermont.
2nd Annual College Student
Show
March 27–April 19, 2009
Opening Reception March 27
Juried Prizes Awarded
Open to students enrolled at Sage Colleges, College of St. Rose, Union College, Hudson Valley Community College, University at Albany, Schenectady County Community College, RPI, SUNY New Paltz, Marist College, and Columbia-Greene Community College, among others.
Sponsored in part by the:

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Tuscany: Timeless Beauty
Featuring Elizabeth Opalenik and Diana Grandi
April 24–June 7, 2009
Receptions April 24 and May 29

Tuscany, ancient land of the Etruscans, evokes many images: vineyards, fields of lavender, poppies everywhere, rolling hills, warm glowing sunsets, rustic villages, monasteries, churches, Renaissance art and architecture, exquisite cuisine, vintage wines, colorful marketplaces, welcoming inhabitants.
See David Brickman’s comments about this exhibit on his blog:
http://dbgetvisual.blogspot.com/2009/05/diana-grandi-and-elizabeth-opalenik-at.html
Diana Grandi: About the Photographs
These photographs are part of a series made in the province of Siena in the past two years. These images show another dimension of Tuscany, not only sunshine, poppies, sunflowers. Tuscany is also winter, fog, rain, and windy days. The fog, especially, is able to transform reality; our imagination flies into a mysterious and poetic kingdom.
I will donate 100 euros from each sold photograph to the relief fund for the victims of the recent devastating earthquakes in the Abruzzo region of Italy. All images are printed with archival pigment inks on artist papers and are available for purchase.
About Diana Grandi
Tuscany-based photographer Diana Grandi has been program coordinator for the National Geographic Expeditions in Italy and France for the past five years. In the past decade she has worked closely with some of the internationally best known photographers organizing workshops, managing shooting locations and teaching.
Grandi received her photographic training in Great Britain and has exhibited her work in London, Milan, and the United States.
She is curator of exhibitions in Italy and has written profiles on photographers for Zoom Magazine International.
For more information about the artist, please see www.dianagrandi.com.
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