This is not a prayer, but perhaps an answer to one.
On June 21, 2024, Duncan Miller Gallery in Malibu selected my photograph “Apartment Lights” for their eBlast.
The gallery had asked for images of New York at Night, so I went back through all the 51,615 photos I have not deleted since we moved to the East Coast 25 years ago. This one is from 2007. Click here to see the eBlast sent out by the Duncan Miller Gallery. The day after my print was advertised, someone bought it. Delightful!
“Your Daily Photograph” is the title of the gallery’s daily eBlast, one I have subscribed to for years and still look forward to seeing every day. Each daily email features an old B&W photo at the top and then three contemporary photos further down. All are for sale. I think the gallery has sold three photographic prints of mine over the years.
A friend said, “51,615 photos? Man, that’s a LOT of photos to search! How did you do it?”
The short answer is by using Adobe Lightroom software. For the last 25 years, I have renamed every photo I download to my computer. Each file name includes the place, year, and month. This photo had “NewYork” in its filename. Because Lightroom is a database program, I can search that database for every photo that has “NewYork” associated with it. When I did that, 1,483 images popped up = 2.8% of the photos I have archived. Then I could quickly scan those images for photos shot at night. It may have taken half an hour, but it was a pleasure reviewing those visits to the city, often in the company of friends, in this case with Larry and Faye, two friends from Texas, a visit which included a photo exhibit by Ellen Wallenstein, another friend from Texas who moved to New York City to teach photography.
Rediscovering this photo was a surprise.
I did not find it interesting 17 years ago. Lightroom lets users rank their photos. In 2007, this one did not get even one star. Now it has five! It was the sky that caught my eye this time around, low chilly clouds illuminated by the city’s glow. Then I noticed the lit windows. Not only did they suggest warm homes inside but the windows had a variety of colors, suggesting something of the variety of the people living so close together.
It was gratifying, having chosen an image to submit, to have it chosen, to have a professional photography dealer select it. That gave me a sense of validation, confirmation that I may be able to recognize a good photo when I see it, even when it is my own.
Below is another image I sent to the gallery, of two women at a department store cosmetics counter open at night in New York City in 2003. It was not chosen. I like it as a document of the fashion industry, a world mostly unknown to me. Your comments, please.
Comments
NOTE: The first few are worth your reading, the rest are to remind me that I still have friends.
Anne G.
Well done, Danny! I especially like your observation that the different shades of window lighting suggests the variety of people living near one another, peaceably, at least in that moment. Validation always feels good!
Bernadette D.
Though the composition for the two women at cosmetic counter is very good, it is very busy. Apartment Lights is iconic with its balance and beautiful simplicity and seemingly miraculous momentary-capture of lit cloud backdrop & diversity of colored lights. I cannot describe the meaning & beauty of “Apt Lights”, but it’s expressed in the photo.
Roman C.
Congrats Danny! beautiful image! It’s always great to see images/artists posted that I know! I’ve been subscribed and submitting [to Your Daily Photograph] for a while now, and have yet to crack the code.
Audrey C.
Dear Danny, what a monumental task of love (and little sweat and tears) I know to go back through soooo many photos over the years and find just the right one. It’s great to see again where we were in times and space gone by and how far we may have come! Interestingly the colors of the windows line up vertically and horizontally in each building like on a Christmas tree. Very kool photo indeed. Congratulations 🎈 As for the photo of the women at makeup counter, the woman who’s pointing to a lipstick color is wearing a kool belt and there’s a hint of her back tattoo peaking out🙃☮️&❤️
Elizabeth M.
An evocative and deeply meditative image. So pleased that it was chosen.
Alice V. E.
I, too, love your photo, Apartment Lights. Do you sell copies? [Danny replied: Call the gallery at 310 838-2440. Since they are representing me as an artist, sales of this image should go through them.]
Craig S.:
Congrats Danny! Quite a feather in that well-feathered cap of yours!
Bits of warmth scattered across a gloomy facade…. Our final stand?…. Bits of warmth so tiny, so seemingly inconsequential. Will the Center hold? Storm clouds waiting in the distance, waiting to finish the job….
Man, that’s a LOT of photos to search! How did you do it? I have no idea how many I have, but I threw away almost all of my slides. I’ve been threatening for years to go back over my oeuvre, but that job seems so intimidating. But who knows, I could discover a treasure or two.
Are you ever tempted to use one of the many pieces of software out there to create a “painterly” effect in your image? I know it’s impure (?), at least to purists, but damn you can achieve some beautiful images. Or you prefer the “pure” photograph? I love the composition in the cosmetics counter image. Funny how life can somehow compose itself…and make sense…
Faye G.
I remember New York at night if it was our trip in 2007. I think both images are worthy of being shown!
Deborah L.
Congratulations, Danny! This is a great photo; I’m glad they chose it and recognized your skill!
Patricia W.
Apartment Lights is wonderful and definitely worthy of being selected.
Georgina H.
Congratulations!!
Nancy P.
Well deserved recognition — beautiful
Katherine A.
Congratulations!
Sheila A.
Whoa, Danny. Good job. Love the picture.
Alice S.
Congratulations, Danny. I know your talent is recognized locally, but what validation to be acknowledged on a national level!
Elaine H.
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John J.
Congratulations Danny!!! The gallery has great taste! Wonderful photo.
Peter H.
Congratulations, Danny!
Gerry M.
Congrats Danny! Lovely image.
Ann M.
Super nice, Danny! Congratulations. I love the balance of colors you captured.
Burley M.
Thankful and congratulations, you deserve it.
Rosie C.
It is fantastic, Danny! Simply beautiful! Congratulations on being chosen.
Mary C. M.
Congrats, Danny! Very cool photo
Melissa P. J.
Congratulations! 🎉
Sandra H. B.
Congratulations, Danny! 👏👏👏👍
Ken F.
Outstanding image, congrats.
Connie H. G.
Gorgeous image. Congratulations!
Royster H.
Congratulations, Danny!
Top photo copyright 2007, bottom photo copyright 2003, and text copyright 2024 by Danny Nelson Schweers.
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