Bluefield College will host a digital photography workshop entitled “Digital Photography’s Broad Spectrum: A Discussion with Hal Brainerd,” Monday, February 21 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in room 121 of the Science Center.
Open and free to the public, the digital photography workshop will feature dialogue and demonstrations by award-winning photographer Hal Brainerd, who has been a professional photographer since 1969 when he became supervisor of the U.S. Army Color Photographic Lab providing photography for the White House and the Military District of Washington, D.C.
In 1972, Brainerd became the manager of the oldest and largest commercial studio in Oklahoma, where he produced advertisements for corporations like Pepsi and Holiday Inn.
His photography has been published by Kodak’s Photo Decor, The Virginian, Prerogative, Virginia Wildlife, and Darkroom Magazine, and his work has been exhibited in the Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma; the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort; the Maude Kerns Art Center in Eugene, Oregon; and the Roanoke Fine Arts Center in Virginia.
In addition, Brainerd’s photos are in private collections throughout the United States, including the Kerr McGee Corporation in Dallas, Texas; May Companies in Denver, Colorado; Alcoa Aluminum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; ARCO Chemical in Fort Worth, Texas; and the permanent collection at the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 1991, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the National Park Service, Brainerd was among 12 artists and the only photographic artist to be selected to interpret Cape Lookout, North Carolina, the nation’s newest park acquisition. In 1993, he was recognized by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as one of the nation’s outstanding craftsmen and artists.
During his workshop at Bluefield College on February 21, Brainerd will demonstrate and discuss the capabilities of digital photography, including how to create digital slideshows with music. Brainerd also will discuss how to create panoramic murals and the process of painting images with computer monitors, electronic brushes and colors.
“In the past, the major problem with photography was the limited range of light that could be captured. Now, a much wider range than even our eyes can see can be captured through high dynamic range photography,” said Brainerd. “If an artist can imagine it, digital photography allows us to produce it. Digital technology has created an art form that allows a photographer to be an artist.”
In addition to the February 21 workshop, Brainerd’s digital photography exhibit, “Digital Photography’s Broad Spectrum,” is on display now through February 24 in BC’s Art Gallery on the first floor of Lansdell Hall.
For more information about Brainerd╒s works or the workshop or exhibit, contact the BC Office of Public Relations by phone at 276.326.4212 or by email at [email protected], or visit Brainerd’s web site at web.mac.com/brainerdphotography.