Bonnie Polson

“Oh, look, did you notice that?” With a camera, I discover outdoor moments that might otherwise be overlooked, try to capture them and share the awe I feel with an image I have taken and processed.This may be the wild joy of bright backlit flowers blowing in a field, the intimacy and calmness of a small scene that wouldn’t be noticed without quiet and solitude, or a new view of San Francisco or Yosemite.

My goal is to tell the story of the moment. The final image is designed in my head, then shot using a specific lens, distance and angle for the effect I have envisioned. Once on the computer, I bring out the subtleties of light, color and mood so the viewer can experience the same one I felt when the image was shot. I edit using Lightroom and Photoshop, without dramatically changing the image. I sometimes will add a fantasy or abstract aspect but will note this. I want each of my images to be felt as an intimate moment in time, without the necessity of words.

I initially learned photography using black and white film but now use a digital camera, with a variety of lenses. I create prints with archival mats, as well on canvas and metal. After retirement as a Speech Pathologist, I have had the freedom to travel, and start more seriously sharing my art. I spent many years in Fresno County, enjoying and photographing areas in the Central Valley, including nearby Yosemite National Park. Recently, I relocated to the East Bay, and am discovering the thrill of photographing the Bay Area, as well.

I was a member of Spectrum Gallery in Fresno, and exhibited there, at the San Leandro Art Association and now at Latte da Vinci. I also have exhibited at the Fresno and Alameda County Fairs, San Francisco Women Artists, and at the Hayward Arts Council, receiving several awards over the years.