Shooting the moon (and flowers, waterfalls and trees)

By JENNA SPATARO

Published on November 16, 2007

Aspiring photojournalist Michael Phillis shows his green thumb or rather green eye in "Natural Reflections," an exhibit of color nature photography on view through November at Amherst Town Hall.

Phillis is one of four artists chosen this year by The Amherst Public Art Commission for a three-month-long exhibit as part of the commission's Visiting Art Program.

Growing up in Amherst, Phillis was bitten by the photography bug three years ago, inspired by his uncle, a professional photographer.

A sophomore at the University of Massachusetts, he's double-majoring in marketing and journalism. "I knew I was interested in photography, but I went in as a marketing major," he said. "I added journalism after I started [taking pictures] for the Collegian."

Now, Phillis writes in his artist statement, "Photography has become a full-time pursuit and passion."

This semester Phillis is an intern in the photography department at the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton. "I like the journalism idea of it," he said. "You get to show somebody what's going on; you really get to tell a story with what your shooting."

"Natural Reflections" gives a different glimpse of his photographic interests, displaying 12 scenes of nature from New England, New York and Indiana.

Most of the images in the show were taken within the past 8 months, including waterfalls, flowers, leaves and abandoned barns - each with its own story to tell. Some were taken during daylong photo escapades or while on vacations with his family. Others presented themselves when Phillis was out driving, and he pulled off to the side to capture a scene. Still others were found closer to home - in his own and his neighbor's garden.

With this type of photography, Phillis says patience is the key to achieving success.

"I do [nature photography] when I want to be more relaxed," he said. "I like when there's no time pressure."

On days when Phillis sets out to take nature shots he makes sure to drink a cup of coffee. "It's the start of a long day," he said. "I wake up early and take some [shots] in the morning so the light is more uniform and there aren't any shadows. Then, throughout out the day, I figure out where I want to set up."

"Crystal Falls," one of the photographs from the collection, was taken on a trip to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. "There was a really cool waterfall," he said. "The sun was just rising. I knew that in 20 minutes to a half hour I could get my shot; there would be a difference of light on each side."

Phillis describes another one of his images, "Four Red Flowers and the Falls," as a lucky shot. "You don't usually get flowers placed where they should be," he said.

The dramatic photograph displays a row of four delicate red flowers in sharp focus, with the waterfall in the soft background.

Phillis was in Vermont during a college tour for his brother, when he happened on "Burlington Coast." While his brother was scoping out the town, Phillis spotted the potential photograph with three perfect layers, he said. There was a shoreline and boats, and the sky was beginning to show the moon. He ran back to his car, set up his tripod and captured the moment.

Phillis uses a digital camera to take his photos and then goes on the computer and works with the program Adobe Photoshop to enhance the images.

"Most people are now shooting in digital," said Phillis. "It's less money to develop and it allows you to deal with the images more efficiently. You are doing the same thing on the computer that you would do in a dark room."

Phillis says the pieces in the show that have received the most mixed reactions are the close-up images of flowers and leaves. "Some people think it's just a leaf," he said, "you see leaves all the time. But I looked at it and I saw the water dripping off it. I see everyday nature stuff as interesting."

"Natural Reflections" is on view through November at the Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the artist, visit his Web site at www.phillisphoto.com.