The Peter Fetterman Gallery has released the 34th installment of its acclaimed online series "The Power of Photography," which continues to highlight themes of hope, peace, and love through the lens of master photographers. This latest collection showcases works from legendary artists spanning nearly a century of photographic excellence, inviting viewers to reflect on the transformative power of visual storytelling during challenging times.
Among the featured works is Georges Dambier's iconic 1957 photograph "Marie-Hélène et Le Poisson Rouge," a gelatin silver print measuring 20 x 24 inches from an edition of five. Dambier (1925-2011), whose talent was recognized early by Helene Lazareff, the creative director of French Elle, revolutionized fashion photography by taking models out of rigid studio settings and onto the streets of Paris. "Darling, you are in love with my camera!" became his signature approach, as he elicited wonderful performances from models with his charm and humor, directing them as if he were making a movie. After retiring from photography, Dambier successfully opened a small hotel in the French countryside, providing a peaceful conclusion to his busy career.
The collection also features Ruth Bernhard's tender nude study "Angles" from 1969, an 11 x 14 inch silver gelatin print that exemplifies her philosophy: "My images reach dimensions words cannot touch. My quest, through the magic of light and shadow is to isolate, to simplify and to give emphasis to form with the greatest clarity." Bernhard (1905-2006) credited a chance meeting with Edward Weston on a Santa Monica beach in 1935 as life-changing, describing her first encounter with his work: "I was unprepared for the experience of seeing his pictures for the first time. There before me was indisputable evidence of what I had thought possible – an intensely vital artist whose medium was photography." Like her mentor, she lived in simplicity and dedication to her craft, forgoing material indulgences.
Wynn Bullock's mysterious "Night Scene" from 1959 demonstrates photography's unique power to evoke the supernatural through shadows and surreal compositions. The silver gelatin print, measuring 7.5 x 9.5 inches on a 13 x 15 mount, captures the darker side of the medium that has fascinated artists throughout photography's history. Contemporary artist Paul Cupido's "Reprise" from 2023, printed on handmade Kozo paper in an edition of ten, explores themes of renewal through deep red hues that blend into the sky, symbolizing both endings and beginnings in nature's perpetual cycle.
Cig Harvey, recognized as one of the great photographers of her generation, contributes "Sky Lantern" from 2017, a 14 x 14 inch archival pigment print from an edition of ten. Harvey views photography as "this sort of Ouija board, like it's telling you something and you need to listen," emphasizing the importance of analyzing why photographers are drawn to specific subjects. Her original voice in both image-making and writing distinguishes her in a crowded field of contemporary photographers.
The exhibition includes Earlie Hudnall's powerful "Girl with Flag" from 1991, which resonates particularly in today's political climate. Hudnall's insight that "the camera is only a tool" and that viewers must draw their own conclusions based on personal experience speaks to how individual backgrounds shape our interpretation of both images and political landscapes. This perspective encourages thoughtful engagement with elections and recognition that diverse interpretations enrich democracy.
Sports photography legend Neil Leifer contributes his historic image of Sandy Koufax's victorious moment after the Los Angeles Dodgers' championship-clinching Game 4 victory over the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 1963. The 16 x 20 inch gelatin silver print from an edition of 150 captures one of baseball's greatest postseason performances, when Koufax dominated the series with two complete-game victories, including a 15-strikeout performance in Game 1. Koufax's philosophy that "the game has a cleanness" where good performance speaks for itself without politics or reviews reflects the pure nature of athletic achievement.
Sarah Moon, who began as a model before becoming one of the world's most revered photographers, presents "Yves Saint Laurent for Dior" from 2022, a platinum print measuring 19.5 x 15.5 inches from an edition of 15. After 50 years of activity, Moon defines herself as a photographer who gifts viewers not only beautiful images but dreams. Her unique style, developed through incredible dedication and drive, remains inimitable despite many attempts at emulation.
The collection includes Anastasia Samoylova's contemporary landscape work "Garden, Micanopy" from 2020, a 16 x 20 inch archival pigment print that explores the triple meaning of landscape as picture, view, and place. Born in 1984, Samoylova's work offers a fresh perspective on Florida's evolving landscapes, shining alongside legendary photographer Walker Evans. Her understanding that "the experience of a place is shaped in advance by our experience of images of it" reflects photography's profound influence on perception.
John Simmons' 1971 portrait of Nina Simone, captured in Nashville, Tennessee, documents the legendary performer who fought tirelessly for equality in the African-American struggle for civil rights. The 8.75 x 12.88 inch gelatin silver print preserves Simone's powerful legacy as a voice for the young, gifted, and Black in an often unjust world. Simmons believes that "time can pass and everything can change in the world except the emotion you get from a photograph."
Louis Stettner's moving "Coming to America" from 1951 addresses contemporary immigration debates through his personal credo: "My way of life, my very being is based on images capable of engraving themselves indelibly in our inner soul's eye." The 16 x 20 inch gelatin silver print pierces the soul with its portrayal of immigrant experiences, reminding viewers that many could identify with the subjects depicted.
The exhibition concludes with Brett Weston's technically masterful "Gondolas, Venice" from 1971, a 15.5 x 17 inch gelatin silver print that demonstrates his exceptional printing skills. Weston (1911-1993) famously declared he would print his own work until death and had his negatives destroyed rather than allow others to print them, burning the majority on his 80th birthday as an act of defiance against conventional behavior.
The Peter Fetterman Gallery, located at 2525 Michigan Ave, A1 Santa Monica, CA 90404, has now published "The Power of Photography" as a comprehensive book through ACC ART Books. The 256-page publication, measuring 7.87 x 9.06 inches with ISBN 9781788841221, is available for $45.00 and represents a significant contribution to photographic literature, preserving these powerful works for future generations to experience and reflect upon.
