Capturing Time: A Journey Through the Evolution of Photography Techniques

An inaugural reception took place on Jan. 11 in downtown Morgan Hill for “Meditations,” a photography exhibition curated by San Jose-based photographer and instructor, Allan Barnes.

This two-hour gathering welcomed the community—including numerous students of Barnes from his photography class at the nearby Sobrato High School—to discover and understand his methods in black and white photography showcasing several early techniques, including tintypes, the 19th-century process of wet-plate collodion, ambrotype, and contemporary inkjet prints.

“It’s truly thrilling to have been invited to showcase my work here at this incredible museum,” said Barnes. “Participating in an exhibition of this nature is a costly pursuit and a significant commitment; it’s such a compliment to be part of this community and display my artwork at this wonderful venue.”

The exhibit, situated at Cura Contemporary in downtown Morgan Hill, contains over 60 prints of differing dimensions, some arranged in sizable groups attached to large panel display boards.

As a photojournalist from the outset, Barnes’ portfolio spans back to Detroit, extends to Mexico City and even to the 32-mile long South Pacific island of Guam, a U.S. territory. He commenced his teaching career at Sobrato High in 2017 and currently instructs digital photography.

Also showcased at the Jan. 11 event was Barnes’ mobile darkroom crafted within his 1985 Toyota Dolphin RV.

“The tangibility of the process serves as a reminder that I didn’t take up photography to remain sedentary,” Barnes stated in an artist’s remark.

The public is encouraged to delve deeper into photographic techniques in the museum’s new blog post series, “Darkroom Alchemy; Artist Talk with Allan Barnes,” occurring on Jan. 19 from 2-3:30pm. The artist talk on Jan. 19 is complimentary and accessible to the public. You can reserve a place online at https://tinyurl.com/dpecr3xn.

The “Meditations” exhibition will remain open at the local museum until Feb. 23.

Cura Contemporary is located at 17395 Monterey Road. For further details, please visit curacontemporary.com or contact 408.778.1800.