Capturing the beauty: 15th annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show features over 90 photographers

Mar. 17—Los Ranchos resident Jane Selverstone was overwhelmed by the death of her brother when she came across a tranquil scene.

Flaming autumn trees soared over calm water where a small white boat docked in New Harbor, Maine.

"It was so peaceful at a time in my life when that was what I was needing," she said. "I went on a hike one day to clear my head and it was a gorgeous fall day."

The retired geologist is one of 91 New Mexico photographers featured in the 15th annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show slated for Sunday, March 24, through April 16 at Expo New Mexico.

Selverstone learned about photography from her father, a doctor who taught her how to use a darkroom. She took two photography classes in college, then used her camera as a tool during her career.

She served for 30 years on the geology faculties of Harvard University, the University of Colorado, and the University of New Mexico.

With retirement, she took her camera everywhere.

"I just see the world in a different way," she said. "I notice things I wouldn't notice."

Gil Quintana travels to the Philmont Scout Ranch in late August when the boys are gone. Located near Cimarron; it covers 140,177 acres of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east side of the Cimarron Range of the Rocky Mountains.

"The deer tend to come out," Quintana said. "They like to eat the apples off the trees. They're not as skittish as they might be."

"Sibling Affection" shows two fawns, with one grooming the other.

"They were hanging out at a safe distance with their mom," Quintana said. "I shot them through a telephoto lens."

Quintana retired from Sandia National Laboratories after 34 years in software development. He headed straight for the camera.

"I just love capturing the beauty of the outdoors and the wildlife," he said.

Largely self-taught, Quintana studied online and in books and took photography workshops.

"I do a lot of bird shots as well," he said.

He next plans to go on a photo safari to Africa.

Wayne Abraham has also shown regularly with the group. He shot the soaring, weather-swirled rocks of "Canyon Light Beams" in Antelope Canyon, Arizona.

"I was amazed when we crawled down in there and saw what we saw," he said.

The monumental sandstone sculptures have created one of the most photographed destinations in the Southwest.

Abraham has always carried a camera, even building a darkroom in his home. It wasn't until his 2019 retirement that he could pursue his passion full-time.

"It's the uniqueness of the lighting," he said. "Morning light and evening light are the most colorful and creative."

He concentrates on landscapes because he loves being outdoors. Abraham studied photography for two years at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Today he studies online and in workshops. Ansel Adams is his inspiration.

"I've studied his work for years and years," Abraham said. "Up until 12-15 years ago, all of my work was black and white."

He still has a bucket list of photography locations.

"I want to photograph the two islands of New Zealand," he said. "I want to photograph both the north and south islands. There are so many photographic opportunities there. You've got mountains, you've got glaciers, you've got the ocean. I'd like to do it next year."