In 2017, Larry Hovey picked up a camera for the first time in 30 years. He found his targets, pointed, and shot for over four months. He enjoyed his return to photography, although he didn’t envision it going beyond a passing fancy. In fact, he didn’t plan to keep taking pictures after his initial flurry of photos.
“It takes too much time,” he said.
But after a chance discussion with Don Stein, Executive Director at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, Hovey came in contact with the Yorkton Arts Council (YAC). They liked his work enough to set up an exhibition. Hovey’s resurrected hobby is on display.
“It just worked out,” he said. “I’m surprised the Yorkton Arts Council has given me so much exposure.”
Hovey’s exhibition’s, titled ‘A Close Up View,’ went up in the Community Partners Gallery inside the Yorkton Public Library on Aug. 1. It’s open to the public until Oct. 31. On Aug. 25, YAC hosted an artist’s reception where attendees could enjoy snacks, take in the art, and chat with Hovey.
Hovey describes the exhibition as an exploration of tiny objects and creatures through the use of closeups, colours, and lighting.
“We’re taking a closer look at the things we always see and perhaps putting them together in a perspective,” he said.
Hovey wanted his work to stand out from typical exhibitions. He followed his unique artistic inclinations when snapping photos, building a body of work that emphasizes study and consideration.
“I know I look at things a little different than some people,” he said.
Hovey has been fascinated with art since childhood. At the age of 14 he began drawing dinosaurs and cartoons. He transitioned to photography, snapping pictures for Canadian Living Magazine and Tourism New Brunswick. Hovey drifted to oil paintings and other artistic mediums, gradually leaving photography behind.
When he got the itch to return to camerawork, he expected to encounter big changes, such as price increases and advanced technology. He’d worked in the era of darkrooms; nowadays, most people take pictures with their phones. While he found photography gear to be much cheaper than before, he had to adapt to the countless new doodads on his camera.
“I had to learn the autofocus,” he said. “It would choose things I wouldn’t want to focus on.
“It was a big jump for me, [but overall a] positive return.”
Hovey likes to experiment with his photography, playing with backgrounds, depth of field, and colour. He credits his gear for exposing him to more possibilities.
“The macro lenses...open up a whole new world,” he said. “It’s amazing what you can see when you look at [things] a little differently.”
Hovey’s photos capture small details in crystal-clear definition. He’s particularly happy with the clarity in his photo of a bee on a flower.
“I noticed the detail in the wings of the bee and I knew I could enlarge it,” he said. “It’s still very clear. I’m proud of that.”
Hovey is pleased with his exhibition, but he doesn’t plan to stick with photography. He’s ready to move onto other mediums and create something fresh.
“I’m going to continue taking pictures, but I’m not making a big effort into it,” he said. “It’s nice to move forward from this.
“I’m going to see what I come up with.”
