First Posted: 4/15/2014
Though she may be dealing with photo subjects of a seemingly ordinary nature – people, landscapes, and animals – Elaine Tweedy’s work is anything but typical. It may have something to do with her attitude towards her craft.
“I hate to say that I don’t like rules; I do like them,” she said with a laugh. “I understand why they’re there, but I do break them a lot. I don’t necessarily follow the exact and precise methodology; I feel that’s very restricting. What if I want to get a different message across? Why can’t I do this, or that?”
Tweedy fell in love with the feel of a camera in her hand at the age of 10 and has been taking photographs ever since. Photography was more of a hobby until she retired. It was then that she put a longtime plan into action.
“In the back of my head I always had the goal of having my own photography business,” she said, now the proud operator of “i got the shot photography,” which began in January of 2011.
Tweedy’s photos capture the very spirit of her subject, whether it’s a young boy fishing on a beautiful day, an animal in need of a good home, or even a lone building sitting on the side of a country road. She has educated herself in various computer programs in order to enhance some of her works, but despite that she said what really matters is a solid base.
“You need a good shot, even if you’re going to apply a filter. It’s got to be clear, precise,” she said.
“In every photo, I’m trying for a precise image,” she continued. “That way I can look at it and see what message it is I want to get across. Do I want the light to be odd? Do I want it to be a little blurry here and not so much there? Do I want darkness around the edges?”
Tweedy is also involved with many projects outside of her business. Her work is being published in Paws for Charity, a Canadian project to help homeless animals; she has begun The Route 6 Project, which showcases the small historic towns along scenic Route 6 in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania; she curates and coordinates the First Presbyterian Church Art Show that runs in conjunction with the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice; and she is a proud member of HeARTs Speak, an international organization made up of photographers and artists who look to take better photos of homeless animals in hopes of placing them in new homes.
For her exhibit during Third Friday Wilkes-Barre, Tweedy is bringing a mix of pictures that showcase her talents. Her love of local history and locomotives will shine through photographs from Steamtown, recent work with animals will be present, and portraits that are more than just a subject sitting in front of a camera will also be on hand.
