Photos capture people and sights of Mount Kisco

The village’s 150th anniversary was included as subject matter. An image of sesquicentennial trolley tour guides was selected to be displayed at the library’s community room.

Renee Lomax’s photo of a blue heron is one of the selctions of this year's photo exhibit at the Mount Kisco Library. 

By MARTIN WILBUR

Renee Lomax received her first camera when she was 10, and since then has loved heading outside to see what scenes she can photograph. She started with a 35-millimeter camera with film, and naturally, over the years has moved on to digital photography.

Last Saturday, Lomax was one of 19 amateur shutterbugs who had images displayed at the Mount Kisco Public Library for the eighth annual photography exhibition. “The Nature, Culture and People of Mount Kisco.”

Among Lomax’s entries was an eye-catching photo of a blue heron in water with a clear reflection.

“Some people can look at the same scene and see something different or focus on something different,” explained Lomax, who lives in Mount Kisco. “People shots are great but I love candids, as you’re getting someone in the middle of a moment. I just love that different perspective.”

Well over 200 submissions depicting the people, sites and nature around the village were submitted with 86 of the photos mounted on the walls of the library’s second-floor community room through Nov. 29. While all of the pictures had to be taken in Mount Kisco, the photographers could come from anywhere.

It was organized by the Conservation Advisory Council, Mount Kisco Arts Council, the Mount Kisco Historical Society and the Tree Preservation Board. Some of the amateur photographers were children, including five of them who were recognized at last Saturday’s reception and awards ceremony.

“Growing up watching my older siblings become excited to go outside to take pictures and show them to friends and family was inspiring,” said Ron Joseph, 12, one of the youth award recipients. “Now I love to take photos of flowers, trees, birds, animals and even clouds. I’m happy that this photo exhibition gives us the ability to share our photos with a wider audience since we all have a different relationship with Mount Kisco and how we view our town.”

John Rhodes, who co-chairs the exhibit, said each year there is a theme added to accompany the images of nature, culture and people. This year participants could capture and submit photos connected to the village’s sesquicentennial as Mount Kisco celebrated its founding in 1875. 

One section of wall space inside the community room was dedicated to photos mainly from the village’s celebration of its anniversary weekend on May 31 and June 1.

Rhodes, who can often be seen at events with his own camera, said the quality of work has improved markedly since the exhibit was established.

“We’ve been doing this for eight years now and the photographers are just getting better and better every year, and not just the photographers, but the photographs are getting better,” Rhodes said.

Lifelong amateur photographer Robert W. Beringer, also of Mount Kisco, loves toting his camera nearly everywhere he goes. Beringer has entered photos every year for the exhibit, and with eight birdfeeders in his yard, the opportunities are endless.

“I believe nature is the photographer. All I have to do is point and shoot. It’s really very simple.” he said. “Mostly, have your camera with you and it’s just the beauty nature gives you.”

Perhaps the most valuable piece of the exhibit is that all the photos will be archived and stored by the historical society as a type of picture history of Mount Kisco. Historical Society President Ralph Vigliotti called it “one of my favorite events of the year.”

My thanks to all of the photographers and those who take enormous amounts of time keeping the photographs for everyone’s enjoyment,” Vigliotti said. “It’s a real labor of love.”

Mayor J. Michael Cindrich thanked all of the photographers who highlighted Mount Kisco, and this year, for helping to perpetuate the memory of its 150th anniversary.

“Mount Kisco is a very special place, and it’s a special place because of the people, the people that have contributed to the well-being of this village,” he said.

The selected photos from “The Nature, Culture, and People of Mount Kisco” can be viewed in person during regular library hours through Nov. 29. All entries can eventually be viewed online at kiscophoto.org. 

The Mount Kisco Public Library is located at 100 East Main St., Mount Kisco.