Photographer unveils all 'I May See'
Campus Times
September 17, 1999
"Eyes That I May See," an exhibition by Paul Rodriguez, is
on display through Oct. 22 in the Irene Carlson Gallery of Photography,
located in the University of La Verne's Miller Hall.
Rodriguez graduated from the University of Southern California in 1978,
with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. He worked as a photographer
for the school's newspaper, The Daily Trojan.
Rodriguez has since become a noted photojournalist who is presenting
this exhibition as his first solo gallery show. He is a member of the photography
staff at the Orange County Register and has photographed people and
cultures from all around the world.
His work has also appeared on the cover of Newsweek. The picture
was of a man during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Rodriguez has also covered other major news events, including the relief
effort in Somalia, the 1988 World Series and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Many of the pictures featured at the photo gallery are from special
assignments Rodriguez covered in Mexico and South Africa. Cuba and Guatemala
are also places Rodriguez has photographed.
Rodriguez named this exhibition "Eyes That I May See" for
different reasons, one being that he is grateful for the experiences in
his life that have led him to this point.
"I am thankful, first of all, that I have eyes to see," said
Rodriguez, "and second, that I can see to do my work, and to recognize
colors and patterns that create these photographs."
Photography is a way of life for Rodriguez, and sharing an understanding
about photojournalism is possible through a program he helped to create
called Photo Night.
Five years ago, with the help of fellow photographers Bruce and Claudia
Strong, he started the program to give photographers in the area a place
to talk with colleagues and show their work to others.
"Photo Night started as a way to get Southern California photographers
together to further their visual education," said Rodriguez.
Photo Night started in the originators' homes. Each month the program
grows, with more people becoming interested in the different types of photography.
Due to the increase of people at the event, Rodriguez now holds the program
at the Garden Grove Theater Complex each month.
"Paul has a remarkable capacity to use photographs in a documentary
style," said Photography Professor Gary Colby. "I have always
appreciated the puzzling nature of his documentary photography style."
According to Rodriguez, when he sees something that communicates a story
or a feeling, he captures it in a photograph. He said that the pictures
in the exhibit communicate a different feeling and tell a different story
to each individual.
For example, a picture of a homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk,
may convey different messages to viewers.
"Photography is powerful in moving cultures," said Colby.
"The goal is to offer a different way to tell a story."
A lecture on the exhibit will be held Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in La Fetra
Auditorium. A reception will follow the lecture.