Exhibit features work by three photographers

The photographers take different approaches to their art.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts' latest exhibit showcases the works of three photographers with different philosophies.
Washington, D.C., photographer Prescott Moore Lassman presents a collection called "Domesticated Animals." It's a series of black and white photos that came about as a result of a "mini midlife crisis." Lassman, known as Scott, asked the question: "How did I become such a domesticated beast?"
"He captures what interests him, and lately it has been his family," said Lassman's wife, Tracy Zorpette. "Many of these photos are humorous, but others are sensitive and beautiful, too. I think Scott hopes it will get people to stop and look at things they normally wouldn't see, or to see things in a different way. Life with a family is funny, even when it's frustrating, hectic or boring."
Zorpette also said her husband is very unassuming, and carries that attitude into his photography. "He doesn't set things up or pose them," she said. "He goes places to find images. The camera is a way for him to be bold in exploring life." She noted that he doesn't manipulate his photos, and uses only natural lighting.
One of the photos on exhibit is called "Girl with Roaches." The girl is their niece, Imogen, with her pets, Cookie and Harry. "Imogen doesn't like clothes, but she does like her pets," said Zorpette. "Harry was named for Harry Potter, and, being the more adventurous of the two, went missing on our last family vacation together on Cape Cod. We surmise that he exited one of our air vents and climbed up another in someone else's vacation condo. And they will forever wonder how a Madagascar hissing cockroach made its way to the Atlantic coast. Alas, Harry never returned."
Beckman
Robert Beckman of Pittsburgh began his own project of photographing people, places and things back in 2002. Using a digital camera, he began playing with the images on a computer to see what could happen -- pulling figures and distorting the background, reconfiguring houses, controlling brightness and contrast.
The photos of four houses on exhibit were printed onto 3-foot-by-6-foot canvas, then framed in wood, to fit the Victorian space offered at this museum. Originally, the works were created as a collection of 10-foot-by-42-inch panels, hung together as one 20-foot-long panel.
New Wilmington artist Shawn Catterson, whose earlier works focused on nature, has begun adding human figures to natural settings. One work, titled "Remembrance," is an almost surreal image of a figure wearing a coat and holding a cane, walking on a tiny piece of land amid a raging river, and vibrant green woodland.
An artists reception will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the Hoyt's Spring Open House. Admission is free.
X"Snap to It" runs through April 28. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (724) 652-2882 for more information.