Spotlightnews.com on the 'True Grit'
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 08:44PM Sue Clark’s featured shots of western life, is showcased, in her “True Grit” art show, at Samuel’s in Alplaus.
ALPLAUS — One area woman didn’t pick up the lens until later in life, but now she’s focusing it on a bygone lifestyle not often seen.
Sue Clark is currently displaying her American Western photography show “True Grit,” at Samuel’s in Alplaus, and the display runs until May 31. Specializing in Western and equine photography has seen her capturing area scenes, but she has also traveled to the southwest regularly to places such as Ghost Ranch, an education and retreat center located close to the Village of Abiquiu in New Mexico.
In 2005, Clark decided to immerse herself in fine art photography after attending a Landmark Education program. Through the program, she met people who wanted to become artists and others who had made the jump and had become successful in artistic endeavors.
“I just heard all these people talking about what they wanted to do,” Clark said. “I knew in the back of my mind I had always had a good camera eye as far as subject goes. All I needed was to get that one ribbon and off I ran.”
Entering judged contests was her goal, so in 2005 she entered a juried show at the Altamont Fair and walked away with a second place ribbon. This confirmed to her she did “have an eye for photography” and led her to continue pursuit of her passion.
To start fine-tuning her craft, she turned to the Internet for resources on techniques and would scan photography and south-western magazines to pick up pointers. She also took weekend training sessions in Woodstock.
Committing to one photography workshop a year helped her sharpen her knowledge, too. Last fall, she attended the Taos Art School’s equine photography workshop in New Mexico.
As a member of the Saratoga Arts council, she said there are a lot of Capital District photographers shooting horses, but she choose to stretch beyond the local equine scene.