February Program: Exposing Time: the birth and evolution of photography in North Alabama. by Jose Betancourt and Sean Berry
We are delighted to welcome back Jose Bentacourt, along with his assistant Sean Berry, to the Huntsville Photography Society for a very interesting program of early photography in North Alabama. Jose and Sean were greatly influenced by the Frances Robb book, Shot in Alabama. This inspiration has taken them to further investigate the early photography that occurred in our region. They have uncovered many more details regarding this early photography and will be showing and explaining their findings.
José Betancourt is Professor of Photography at the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Department of Art, Art History and Design. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida and his Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography from the City University of New York- Hunter College. José’s personal art projects are inspired by collective memories and documentary photography. José uses alternative techniques to present the historical connections that inform the narrative. Additionally, José and artist Susan Weil have collaborated for over 20 years on a variety of alternative photographic techniques, most importantly, the Cyanotype, or Blueprint.
Sean Berry has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and a minor in Art History from the University in Alabama in Huntsville. Prior to UAH, he also received an Associate’s degree in Aerospace Manufacturing from Calhoun College. Born in West Virginia to a long line of coal miners, Sean moved around as a military brat from coast to coast before settling in Huntsville, where his parents lived. Sean’s passion for history and film helped him decide that a degree in the arts is what really made sense. He has spent the last 3 years refining research abilities and learning various historical photographic processes, which positioned him for a deep dive into Huntsville’s photographic origins.
Please join us on February 13, 2023 at the Trinity United Methodist church at 7:00 pm to enjoy this presentation.