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Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Photographer B.G. Burr finds images while camping, fishing in wildlandsTomé B.G. Burr remembers when Tome's general store functioned as both a gas station and a bar. Now, Burr's work hangs from the walls of the adobe building where he once bought groceries.
"I never thought of that when I was gassing up my car," Burr said. "But (the gallery) has been a central part of the community for a long time. I'm proud to have anything to do with the building." Burr, a Tomé resident, said he put his work on display after encouragement from friends and family members. His works include views of Bosque del Apache, San Marcial Overpass and Las Nutrias. Photographs at the gallery range from $80 to $150. But most of the scenic locations aren't out in the open. Burr travels across the state, including the Jemez Mountains, west of Santa Fe and often captures images while camping or fishing. "I try to go to interesting places," Burr said. "There are usually a lot of good things to photograph. It works out well." But Burr has had practice — he has taken photographs for nearly 45 years. The Valencia County resident first took classes at the University of New Mexico in the mid-1960s and hasn't looked back. He said he was part of the first program at the university that considered photography a fine art. "It was one of those lucky accidents," Burr said. "There were a lot of exciting young intellectual photographers that ended up at UNM. It got me excited about photography. That attitude has stayed with me." Burr has taught at both the University of New Mexico and the College of Santa Fe in classes such as history, film and computer science. He is currently an independent energy conservationist and an instructor at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque. Over the years, Burr's passion for photography hasn't waned. He has endured a time where film photography morphed into digital in an age with possibilities that seem endless. Burr recalled obstacles in the film age that are non-existent in today's digital photography. He said the quality wasn't up to par with digital cameras and the cost of film photography was much higher. Photographers also didn't have flexibility if they wanted different sizes of prints. In most cases, photographers would have to use different cameras to change their prints. "Digital photography caught up with (film) in the late 1990s," Burr said. "It's superior. It captures the entire range of tones." The Tomé Gallery member said he enjoys the flexibility of digital photography. He said he used to process film in a darkroom before the advent of today's technology. "It was a lot of work," Burr said. "You would have to wait five to six hours before you'd see your images. You would have to be very committed." Burr recommends beginning photographers get as much experience as possible. He said it helps to always have your camera with you. "There is no gift," Burr said. "You just need experience." In addition, the photographer said that attentiveness is key to taking a good photograph. "Let your eye be your guide. Learn to pay attention. When your eye stops, it's probably a good photo." The photographer said that beginners should remember that not all photographs are great ones. He said students of photography might have to look at hundreds of pictures to realize which photographs are keepers. He said good photographs often come unexpectedly. "The ones I don't remember taking are the ones I'm most interested in," Burr said. "I think it's almost impossible to intend to make a great photograph." For now, Burr seems content in his role with the gallery and volunteers at the building three times a month. "It's really neat to see people look at your work," Burr said. "It's a privilege to have the opportunity to do that."
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