Robert Dowd has been interested in photography since he received his first camera at age 10 and was encouraged to go out and “photograph what you see.” Over the years, he has progressed from that first Kodak box camera to 35mm film cameras and most recently to 35mm digital cameras, which he now uses exclusively. The digital format provides him with the most flexibility and instant feedback when he is out in the field working.
Bob started his formal study of photography when he took a class in composition at Brookdale Community College with Laury Egan, who he continued to study with for several years, learning the finer points of figure/ground composition, the use of negative space, and how to capture and present the image the eye was seeing.
In his work, Bob tries to create strong compositions by empowering negative spaces, searching for dynamic positive shapes, and by the use of bold colors. His favorite subject matter is found in the common things around us that we see and interact with on a regular basis but because of their familiarity they become blurred and near invisible. Yet, in their own way they can provide us with beauty, utility and order. He enjoys photographing these subjects in an effort to encourage viewers to recognize and appreciate their elegance and beauty.
All of his work is shot using digital raw format and is finalized in Photoshop. Bob does not make major changes to his images but instead tries to shoot the initial photograph as finished as possible, applying only minor corrections such as slight shifts in color saturation or cropping post production. All of his images are printed using archival pigment ink on Epson paper.
EXHIBITS
A Photographic Portrait of Historic Walnford 2002
Perfect Exposure - Sea Holly Gallery, Brielle 2003
Monmouth Festival of the Arts 2005
21 Photographers – Middletown Library 2005
Thompson Park Perspective, Lincroft 2006
Focus on Sculpture – Grounds for Sculpture 2007
First Look – Frederick Gallery, Allenhurst 2007
Divergent Viewpoints – Brookdale Community College 2007
Focus on Sculpture – Grounds for Sculpture 2008
Monmouth County Arts Council Juried Art Show 2005
Monmouth County Arts Council Juried Art Show 2008
Monmouth County Arts Council Juried Art Show 2009
Brookdale CC Alumni Association Juried Art Show 2007
Guild of Creative Art – Member Juried Show 2008
Guild of Creative Art – EyeSights 2008
Guild of Creative Art – EyeSights 2009
AWARDS
Focus on Sculpture – Grounds for Sculpture 2008 Honorable Mention
Monmouth County Arts Council – Honorable Mention 2005
Monmouth Camera Club – Slide of the Year
Monmouth Camera Club - Print of the Year
Monmouth County Fair – 1st Place – Monochrome
NJ Federation of Camera Clubs –Tops in NJ – Medal Award
MEMBERSHIPS
The Guild of Creative Art, Associate Member
Monmouth County Arts Council