Published: September 28, 2008 10:38 pm      

Photographer takes a unique view

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — Ever since Greg Apple of Covington, Ind., received a Polaroid One Step camera for a birthday present some 30 years ago, he’s seen the world through a viewfinder and nurtured a dream of making it as a photographic artist. As Apple is preparing for his first photography show, that dream is about to become reality.

“Photos aren’t just pictures. They’re moments of time. They keep the memories alive and that’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with photography,” Apple said.

Apple will show a collection of nearly 40 color and black-and-white photographs Saturday and Sunday at the d’Arlier Cultural Center in Veedersburg, Ind. He named the exhibit “Views Outside the Box” in reference to some of the eye-opening and imaginative experiences he’s had behind the camera over the years.

“Photography is my passion and I want to share it with people,” Apple said.

A 1981 graduate of North Vermillion High School, Apple now lives in Covington and works full-time at Harrison Steel in Attica, Ind. After finishing his shift at the steel mill, he drives down to Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute, Ind., to attend photography classes. He hopes to finish his associate degree in visual communication, specializing in photography, in about a year.

“Sometimes my days go from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m., but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to follow your dream,” Apple said.

While Apple’s background includes brief forays into traditional studio portraits as well as news photography as a freelancer for the Champaign News-Gazette, purely artistic photography is what he enjoys the most and hopes to earn his living from. Putting an imaginative and unique spin on everyday items has become somewhat of his trademark style. The show features several examples of Apple’s talent for seeking out the extraordinary in ordinary objects, such as “Eggato,” a playful composition of four eggs and a tomato, and “Unscrewed,” a collection of incandescent light bulbs.

Carolyn Lloyd, director of the d’Arlier Cultural Center, said she was struck by Apple’s originality when she first saw his work.

“I really liked his photographs, they really spoke to me. They were simple, yet complex. Very nice and very well done,” Lloyd said.

The exhibit will be the first major event at the center since Lloyd took over the directorship from Judy Ashton on Sept. 1.

“It’ll be a great opportunity for people to come out and see some local talent, and see what you can do at the center,” she said, and added that some of photographs will remain at the center until the end of November.

Apple revealed that he plans to offer digital photography classes at the d’Arlier Center, but dates and times have yet to be announced. The classes will initially target novice photographers, but could move up to a more advanced level if there are enough repeat participants. Either way, Apple, who uses a Nikon D40 himself, said it’s possible to take great photos with a compact point-and-shoot type of camera.

“It’s not about the camera or the equipment. It’s about your knowledge.”

If there’s enough interest, he’d also like to start a local photo club.

Apple is hoping the weekend show will give him some name recognition, and is looking forward to seeing how his photographs will be received by the public.

“I hope I’ll get a couple of ‘Wows!’ and some ‘Ahas!’. I’ll even accept some ‘Huhs?’,” he said and laughed. “It’s OK if you don’t ‘get’ some of it.”



WHAT’S NEXT

“Views Outside the Box,” a photography show by Covington photo artist Greg Apple, will be from 4-7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the d’Arlier Cultural Center at 405 Mill St. in Veedersburg, Ind. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.