FOCI, a photography exhibit curated by Ellen Martin, will open at the Oyster Point Hotel on Friday, September 25th from 6 – 8 p.m. It contains thirty photographs from nine photographers: eight from New Jersey and one from New York City. “In this exhibit, I want to show how many photographers are looking forward, but some are also looking back,” says Martin.

The journey of photography from the earliest photo in 1826 to today has been one of a process laden with chemicals and long wait times to a time where the press of a button can record hundreds of images in an instant.

Through the 1840s – 1860s techniques came at a rapid-fire pace with some shortening wait times and others requiring fewer chemicals. In 1864, because of the work of Alfred Stieglitz, photography joined the ranks of the other arts.

Today perhaps because of the ease of taking images, some photographers are returning to vintage techniques, such as the cyanotype, the gum bichromate, and pinhole photography. Many others are making full use of the manipulation of digital images through the use of Photoshop and other applications. Another relatively new technique explored in this exhibit is water drop photography.

“We don’t have any film photographers in this exhibit but that gap is being filled by the Brookdale Community College Darkroom I and II exhibit we have installed on the second floor where we’re showing the work of nine young photographers,” said Martin.

The opening is free and open to the public. In order to respect social distancing, please come at 6; 6:30, 7 or 7:30 to view the exhibit. The Oyster Point Hotel is located at 146 Bodman Place, Red Bank, NJ. The Hotel is unable to serve food and drink to a standing gathering, but dining is open at the Hotel’s Pearl restaurant. Call 732-530-6200 to reserve a table.