“Postcards From Montreal” – a unique photographic exhibition of Valérie Hensley’s art

Using a camera method called ‘Chris-Cross’, Valérie Hensley has evolved from her previous representational photography to a making abstract and impressionistic images – while still using a camera. The resulting images convey a feeling about the height of a building or its mass.

Describing the works in the exhibition, Valerie states; “Here are Montreal landmarks you probably know. But they are more than just bricks and mortar. People’s lives have revolved around them. Over the decades, they have seen storms and celebrations. I’ve tried to show some of the energy and motion of these objects that don’t appear to move. I hope to give you a different way of seeing something you already know.”

“I don’t take pictures. I make photographs. In this exhibit, the images were all made directly in-camera using a technique called “Chris-Cross” taught by Chris Harris. Unlike photos made by cell phones or point-and-shoot digital cameras, these photographs were shot in unprocessed (Raw) format. Some modification of texture, contrast, exposure, saturation, etc. may have been made afterwards. No photographs have been Photoshopped.”

Valérie has had a camera in her hand ever since she was nine years old.  She spent many hours taking pictures and manipulating images in her home and high school darkrooms.  Once good digital equipment became available, Valérie returned to photography, rekindling a passion cemented in her youth.

In 2015, she took a workshop lead by one of Canada’s best-known photographers, Freeman Patterson CM., that blew away her paradigm of ultra-sharp focus and precision.  Although she loves representation photography (making images that are recognizable), Valérie has become passionate about impressionist and even abstract image making. More and more, Valérie tries to express the energy she feels in her subject.

Photographers Chris Harris and Freeman Patterson, have made a huge impact on the way she creates images. Postcards From Montreal continues at the Chez Fred Bakery and coffee shop located at 5338 Sherbrooke St West (near Décarie) until March 15.

For more information, please visit Valerie’s website www.val-image.myportfolio.com