Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #89: Wayne Puts On a Show!

by Kevin Lane

If you are reading this blog post (or if you have listened to the Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast), I'd say chances are good that you have an interest in making photography (just like me).In fact, I'd go further to suggest that you spend a fair amount of time thinking about your photography, including celebrating the good work you've done and doing what you can to make better work in the future (just like me). I'd even go as far as to claim that you fantasize about having your photography exhibited in a gallery or museum show (just like me.)  

Yes, I am right there with you in hoping that my photography will be recognized as being worthy of such attention someday. But with my friend, mentor, and podcasting partner, Wayne Setser, this is not a dream but a reality. Wayne, who has been making analog photography for fifty years, is having a major retrospective of his work at The Arts Center of Athens, Tennessee. The show opens on April 20 and extends through May 22. In addition, an opening reception is being held in Wayne's honor on Friday, May 8, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. 

It's difficult to fully express to you just how important I think this is. For Wayne, analog photography has been a fifty year passion to which he has devoted a great deal of time, energy, and money. However, that alone is not enough to warrant you making an effort to travel to Athens, Tennessee, to view this show. Wayne is the real deal, and his photographic work is genuine, truthful, and the essence of art. Why? Because it is the result of his search for and discovery of what is essential in art:  beauty through form. Finding such beauty and properly framing it in a viewfinder is a talent that Wayne possesses in abundance (and I am quite envious), let alone the skills of craft that turning his vision as seen in his viewfinder into a photographic print. While I may not want to make the exact same pictures that Wayne makes although sometimes I do), Wayne represents everything I want to be in my pursuit of photography. It wouldn't surprise me if, once you viewed his work at his show, you felt the same way.

Burgess Falls, TN, a thirty-five year old negative that required seven separate exposures to make this print

Fall Creek Falls, the King of Tennessee waterfalls. Most people photograph is from 
the top rim, but not Wayne.

This print from a nearly fifty year old 35mm negative us if an old abandoned farm 
house near Crossville, Tennessee. When Wayne's wife, Teresa, saw the print, she 
recognized the house as having once belonged to her great aunt.

Additionally, if you have listened to show #89 already, you now know that preparing for a show is far more than simply making the prints. Wayne, being Wayne, has personally seen to every detail in the process, leaving the only thing for the gallery to do is to hang Wayne's pictures according to his instructions. Wayne's artistic vision is behind every aspect of the show's installation and ultimate viewer experience. 

And dare I emphasize that, because Wayne's photography is all analog, every piece was made one at a time with his own hands.

I make a rant in this show regarding the place of real art in our lives - why it is or isn't on the walls of our homes. You will have to work that one out for yourself, but I know where I stand on it.

Our show concludes with some listener feedback regarding the printing and presentation of square format images  much to my appreciation. Also, we pay tribute to the listeners who have made financial contributions to the show. Thank you! If you would like to help us with production costs and also give us the means to make the show better, then please feel free to contribute here. We are grateful for all amounts, no matter how large or small. Thank you!

As always, we are grateful for our listeners, and we greatly appreciate the feedback we get from you.  We'd love to hear from you, so please drop us a line at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. You also can post comments on our on Facebook and Instagram pages.

Happy Photography!