Photography sends Strong messages...Of life and death
Campus Times
November 1, 1996
Bruce Strong prepares the Carlson Gallery of Photography for a show
of Strong's work, titled "Shadows, Darkness and Light." A staff
photographer for the Orange County Register in Santa Ana, Strong has received
praise for both his photography and writing. In 1993, the California Press
Photographers Association named Strong Photographer of the Year. He has
also received acclaim from the National Press Photographers Association,
the Associated Press News Executives Council and Women in Communications.
Pictures in the show were made in California, Vietnam, Romania, Albania,
Tibet, Ecuador, Honduras, Nepal and Mexico.
Photojournalist Bruce Strong will have an photo exhibit on display in
the Carlson Gallery through Dec. 13.
Strong has been a staff photographer for the Orange County Register for
the past five years. He has photographed in nearly 50 countries, and his
subjects range from movie stars to patients in a Vietnamese asylum. His
work has been featured in publications such as Time magazine, Machete (Brazil),
and Trends (Japan).
In 1993, Strong was honored as photographer of the year by the California
Press Photographers Association.
Strong was chosen to display his photographs and he lectures for numerous
reasons. Gary Colby, associate professor of photography, said, "I was
attracted to his work because his personal style escapes the day-to-day
style of photography that we see in the news pictures, and what we see in
the newspapers. His work goes beyond what we expect to see and his images
have a painterly quality to them that addresses more timely concerns, reflecting
on the things that happen in nature before us."
Colby asked Strong to come to the University of La Verne because his work
is sophisticated beyond the approaches and techniques offered to students.
There will be a variety of photographs on display both in color, and in
black and white. The display will consist of two picture stories both dealing
with qualities of the diminished minds.
In a written document, Strong said, "the two black-and-white stories
explore the question, 'Where does your mind go when it can't find its way
back?' The first story, shot in 90 minutes, is a glimpse into the cold and
hopeless world of insanity in an asylum near Hanoi, Vietnam.
"The second story is a very personal three-year project that chronicles
my grandparents' struggle with Alzheimer's disease. It was the most difficult
project I have ever produced, one into which I was immersed emotionally
and spiritually long before it became a photographic interest."
Strong graduated in 1991 from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New
York. Upon graduating, he became a staff member for the Eddie Adams Workshop
until 1994.
He is also a co-founder of "Photo Night," which is a monthly gathering
of photographers throughout Southern California. The gatherings feature
guest speakers and slide presentations.
Strong and his wife Claudia, also a journalist, are working on their first
book. The story will be about his grandparents and their struggle with Alzheimer's.
Photos from their book will be included in the exhibit.
Colby explains Strong's art as being "beautiful photography and it
is happy and sad at the same time."
Strong will give a lecture on Nov. 7, from 5-6 p.m. in La Fetra Hall, with
a reception immediately following in the gallery. There are about fifty-five
photos on display.