Public Pathways (HEART Grant 1998), Images from the Union County
Park System, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
This portfolio consists of approximately 25 large
color images made in the landscape environments designed by Frederick
Law Olmsted throughout
Union County. These local scenes have been transformed by Ori’s
unique internal vision into powerful documentations of beauty within
our local park system. The exhibit provides a balance of images between
the elements of turf, wood and water reflecting many of the design
elements typical within an Olmsted park. Some are romantic in style
and provide a strong contrast to the local towns, some are bold forms
or use a vista as an aesthetic organizing element, some are planned
or contain artistically composed plantings and some provide a formal
element. They are all works of art by Ori and Olmsted and display a
legacy for both.
Shadows and Memories, Images from Bodie, a ghost town in California
This is a portfolio of about 30 black and white images of artifacts
and buildings from a ghost town in California called Bodie. As a collection,
they paint a portrait of a group of people who symbolized the life
and spirit of Americans. They represent a microcosm of the hopes and
fears of America itself.
The remaining structures passively resist the onslaught of weather.
They stand as remnants of distant dreams now dead. The numbing silence
speaks epitaphs to the present generation, telling of the harsh realities
of life, of sacrifices made by the common man. Through these images
we see vulnerability not decomposition — endurance, not the ravages
of time. There is a beauty that reveals itself through this kind of
transformation. It directs us towards hope and love of country. The
hopes and fears of the Bodie pioneers may have long since passed away
but these remains testify to the collective efforts of past lives now
evolved to the present day. These photographs represent the essence
of the American spirit.
Polaroid Image Transfers and Mixed Media
Images originally taken on color slide film by Ori, are re-photographed
onto Polaroid film and again transferred onto a museum quality receptor
sheets. The medium invites experimentation and photographers continue
to use it as a starting point for creating work that is personal and
unique. With image transfers, the Polaroid chemistry seeps into the
watercolor paper resulting in an image with a subdued palate. The colors
can then be enhanced with pastel and colored pencil. The final piece
leaves one guessing if it is a mini watercolor painting or a photograph.
There are about 40 images in this series. All are one of a kind pieces
framed to 11x14.
The images chosen by Ori for this process are historical in nature.
They are of artifacts and buildings dating back in some cases to the
Revolutionary War. Ori also works with ancient structures in Europe
as subject matter. Because of the aged look of the images, the medium
becomes a good match with the subject matter.
Polaroid Manipulations – Painterly Photography
The Polaroid manipulations are created on SX70 or 600 Polaroid film
and are also one of a kind pieces framed to 11x14. The film can either
be used in a copy camera to copy existing slides or used in a field
camera on location. Most of the images have been created on location.
Manipulations take place within minutes of the exposure and elicit
very painterly results. There are about 50 images in this series with
very varied subject matter. Many are of garden areas and also locations
in Cape May. And another whole series of about 20 images are of cars
and other car and truck related subjects. All of these images are in
the process of being created as enlarged Giclee prints which are then
further enhanced with pastels and colored pencils.
Stolen Glances
The series of images of the ‘Stolen Glances’ portfolio
are photographs made over a period of years in a documentary style.
They are observations and records. Taken when the moment makes sense,
this style of photography requires a combination of serendipity and
intuition, which is triggered by an inner signal of photographic maturity.
Some are portraits and some are viewpoints of a space at a moment in
time. The environmental portraits are casual and the other observations
are records of daily lives, spaces within our environments or special
moments that reflect a culture. The collection speaks to the timelessness
of ordinary lives, the spirit of hope and the struggles, dreams and
fears of hard working, honorable, everyday people. Life is shown in
quiet decency.
Images of Historic Sites and Artifacts (HEART Grant 2000 & 2001),
Four Centuries
There are approximately 50 black and white sepia toned images framed
to 16x20 in this portfolio. After months of researching and photographing
numerous historical exteriors, interiors and artifacts, the final selection
of images were chosen to reflect a balance between the architecture,
furniture, costumes and artifacts of by-gone eras. Some are romantic
in style and provide a contrast to the playful depictions of antique
dolls and toys, some are bold forms of tools and objects presented
almost as sculptures, and some are planned or contain artistically
composed room set ups to provide more formal images. Much of the subject
matter dates back to the Revolutionary War and Civil War times.
An additional series of 20 sepia toned 16x20 images of Women in History
are also available.
Toned Pinhole Photographs
The pinhole camera is the most basic devise that a photographer can
use to create an image. It has no lens, no mirror, no viewfinder or
other optical components. Essentially it is a box with a hole in it
which has a piece of film inside. The camera being used has an angle
of coverage of about 120 degrees with an aperture of about f200. Its
simplicity however, is quite challenging.
“
I felt it extremely important to find the right subject matter to suit
it. I have chosen to work with content of an historical nature, in
many cases dating back to medieval times. The theory of this camera
was known to Leonardo da Vinci and other artists before the Renaissance,
which is why I felt the pinhole camera was the perfect complement to
the subject matter.”
The images created with a pinhole camera are very personal and to a
large extent intuitive, using a simple and direct process. It frees
you from the technical chains of sophisticated lens and digital cameras
with their predictable results. Pinhole photography allows you to rediscover
the roots of traditional artistic methods.
This portfolio contains approximately 30 images in black and white
that have been sepia toned. They are framed to 11x14.
Panoramas, The Swing Lens
In this portfolio, Ori is working exclusively with a Widelux camera
that has a lens that rotates during the exposure to create a wide view
image of about 140 degrees. She has been working with this panorama
format since the late seventies. At the time she was studying with
Ansel Adams and was using the camera to capture the large landscape
scenes of California and the southwest in color. “I worked with
this grand panorama style for a number of years and still enjoy looking
at them as the foundation of my Widelux work and as memories of working
with Ansel”.
“
Gradually, over the last few years, I needed a change from the all-inclusive
color panorama and began moving closer and closer to my subjects until
the horizon was excluded from the image. Once this happened, I was
able to tilt the camera up or down to compose the image with minimal
apparent distortion. In reality, the tilt causes tremendous distortion
to the perspective as the lens moves across the frame during the exposure.
The near/far relationships of objects and space is greatly manipulated
creating new realities that could not be done with a conventional stationary
lens camera. This is where I find the challenge to handle the camera
creatively…to totally distort space without the viewer being
aware of exactly what has happened.
This black and white portfolio is a summary of several recent years
of work. I especially enjoy finding subjects that will work vertically
since this is much more difficult a situation to find.”
There are approximately 40 5x14 images framed to 16x20 in this portfolio.
They can also be enlarged to 8x20 images framed to 15x28.
Environmental Portraits, Face to Face
There are approximately 15 black and white silver gelatin images in
this portfolio framed to 16x20 and 20x24. Ansel and Virginia Adams,
Morley Baer, Ruth Bernhard, Brett Weston and Mary Ellen Mark are some
of the famous photographers featured in this portfolio.
Included in her long and varied career are Ori’s relationships
with photographers Ansel Adams and Morley Baer, who became her mentors.
With them she was able to explore the landscape and architecture of
the southwest and meet many people who would also change and alter
her vision.
“ One thing that I have learned is that craft takes long hard work. As
a beginning photographer, I worked as a darkroom technician and started
from the ground up. I had faith in what I was doing and the right mentors
who helped me to grow and understand the importance of my emotional
relationship with my subject, whether it is a tree or a person.
In the corporate world, this certainly meant people, all kinds of people.
I learned how to tell the story of that person. I learned over time
how to attack my understanding of a particular shoot, to deal with
the happening of the shoot, not necessarily what an art director had
in mind. I always need to understand the basics before I start but
the shoot always takes its own form as it progresses. My contribution
is to be the trained observer, to capture the physical side of the
subject as well as the emotional side. How does the subject move in
different clothes and what gestures are used for expression or the
indication of emotion? I pay a great deal of attention to details and
am always learning how to see new things or how to see in a new way.
The story presented here is my progression through a career of working
with people. It’s a reflection of the fun I have and how I fell
in love with the skills and the responsibilities of depicting a person’s
story. I love being face to face.”
All the images in this portfolio are Ori’s personal interpretations
of faces with universal appeal. Many utilize the human face to celebrate
the particularity and the individuality of their subjects, expressing
their humanity through capturing their unique personalities or physiological
characteristics. Others are part of a narrative or aesthetic drama.
Others are well recognized.
Images of the South West
The haunting ruins, magical landscapes, celebrated churches as well
as the obscure are transformed unaltered except by Ori’s unique
internal vision. The photographs speak to the timelessness of the land,
it’s spirit and the simple, poignant architecture that was inspired
and challenged by Nature.
Photographing in the West Coast tradition of her long-time mentor,
Ansel Adams, Nancy expresses her own interpretation of the landscape
and architecture. Her photographs reveal a love of light, shadow and
form in natural and man-made settings. They are powerful documentations
of the land and humanity’s intrusion into the landscape, expressing
its vulnerability and endurance.
“
Since 1970, I have traveled throughout the world working on various
photographic and video projects which has given me the opportunity
to explore many popular and cherished places with my cameras. These
years of labor have taken me again and again to the American West.
Landscape and architecture has become a source of inspiration and discovery.”
This portfolio consists of approximately 25 large color photographs
of architecture and landscapes from New Mexico, Arizona and California.
Frame sizes range from 11x14 to 28x52. Most images have been printed
on Ilfochrome material. This is unique color print material for producing
photographs directly from the original transparencies. She chose this
material for display art photographs because this technology has become
the world standard of excellence for outstanding stability and brilliance
of color, which is an important factor to understand when purchasing
color fine art photography.
Architecture From a Different Perspective, Structures
There are approximately 15-20 black and white silver gelatin images
in this portfolio framed to 16x20 and 15x28. They are all made with
wide view cameras or lenses and capture a variety of structures from
around the world. One camera in particular, the Widelux, has been a
favorite of Ori’s for many years.
Unbeknownst to the viewer, many of the subjects have been distorted
because of the unique properties of this swing lens camera. She is
working with interiors or cropping the exteriors in a way that enables
her to eliminate the horizon. She can then tilt the camera to make
the composition, which normally would not be done with this camera
when there is a horizon in the frame. By excluding the horizon, Ori
is able to tilt the camera up or down to compose the image with minimal
apparent distortion.
In reality, the tilt causes tremendous distortion to the perspective
as the lens moves across the frame during the exposure. The near/far
relationships of objects and space is greatly manipulated creating
new realities that could not be done with a conventional stationary
lens camera. This is where Ori finds the challenge to handle the camera
creatively…to totally distort space without the viewer being
aware of exactly what has happened.
She especially enjoys looking for architectural compositions that are
vertical.
A Circus Story, The Circus World
There are approximately 25 color images in this group of photographs
made at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI and a parade in Milwaukee.
They are photographs of details of beautiful and ornate circus wagons
and of the parade activities. There are also about 15 images in black
and white made behind the scenes at the Circus World Museum Parade.
Horses, clowns and behind the scenes stories are revealed while make
up is applied, the carousel menagerie is put in place and players relax
with their animals before the performance.
Women in History (HEART Grant 2002), Familiar Voices
There are approximately 30 black and white sepia
toned images framed to 16x20 and 20 Polaroid Image Transfers framed
to 11x14 in this portfolio.
After months of researching and photographing numerous historical sites,
the final selection of images were chosen to reflect a balance between
the architecture, furniture, costumes and artifacts of women’s
issues in by-gone eras. Some are romantic in style and provide a contrast
to the playful depictions of antique dolls and toys of our children
past, some are bold forms of household tools and objects presented
almost as sculptures, and some are planned or contain artistically
composed room set ups to provide more formal images. Much of the subject
matter dates back to the Revolutionary War and Civil War times.
The popularity of women’s history has sparked interest in uncovering
some of women’s forgotten heritage. This exhibit promotes women’s
history awareness and helps us appreciate the wonderful contributions
that American women made. The exhibit honors these women who have been
of great value in the development of our county.
Gardens of New Jersey (HEART Grant 2003), A Garden Journal
Ori’s project was to create a body of photographs made within
Union County and was extended to include many other locations within “The
Garden State”. The project provides a balance of images between
the four seasons as well as the basic elements of turf, wood and water,
reflecting the variety of local public and private garden designs and
architecture. Some of the garden spaces shown can be found adjacent
to historic sites and are open to the public, such as, Liberty Hall
Museum in Union, Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, the Cannonball Museum
Gardens in Scotch Plains and the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook
Park in Plainfield.
Simply defined, a garden is a plot of land for the cultivation of flowers,
vegetables, herbs and fruit, when the creativity of man intervenes
with Mother Nature and creates orderliness. The space is laid out with
flowers, trees and ornamental shrubs and used for recreation or display.
Ori said, “There is certainly a lot of cross over between landscape
and garden photography but for me garden photography is more about
smaller controlled spaces and close-ups. Some are romantic in style
and provide a strong contrast to the local towns, some are bold forms
or use an empty space as an aesthetic organizing element, most are
planned or contain artistically composed plantings while some provide
a very formal element.”
The artistic selection of subject matter for the exhibit was determined
by the best summary of images to depict the places where flowers bloom,
shrubs and herbs are arranged in artful patterns, where havens have
been created for peace and quiet, places where the plantings help to
reduce stress, where one can watch wildlife and relax, while inhaling
the fragrance of the flowers.
There are approximately 30 images in this portfolio. Frames are varied
in sizes, colors and profiles.
Cars, Transports
This is a small portfolio of about 15 images done in a ‘painterly
style’ with Polaroid Manipulations enhanced further with colored
markers and pastels and enlarged to a frame size of 16x16. Most are
vintage cars and car and truck related environments.
Another segment of this theme are a series of regular still color photographs
of vintage and aged vehicles. Lots of color, texture and design are
featured. There are about 10 images in this segment.
Waters Edge
This is a large portfolio of about 35 pieces in black and white and
color taken over a long period of time in many places around the world.
Included are seascapes, rivers and waterfalls. Sizes and shapes vary
from small intimate locations in 11x14 to large panoramas printed to
30 inches long. Techniques vary from painterly mixed media photographs
with applied pastel to regular film images.
HEART Grant - History, Education and Art Reaching Thousands (An annual
grant program by the Union County Freeholders). I have received this
grant 5 times, which has enabled me to complete a number of these portfolios.
All images property of Nancy Ori, not to be reproduced without permission ©2008
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