A Symphony of Light and Shadow: Exploring Contrast & Emotion Through the Lens

For more than three decades, I have followed the light.

In quiet corners of New England, across the alpine paths of Switzerland and France, through the vineyards of Italy, the rocky mountain tops of Greece and into the vast reaches of Africa and the American West. I’ve sought out not just beautiful scenes, but moments where contrast tells the story and music was always by my side and in my heart.

I’m thrilled to invite you to experience A Symphony of Light and Shadow, a black and white photography exhibition showcasing a curated collection of images from over 20 years of my work. This show is a visual journey through both distant lands and familiar locales, all tied together by a common thread: the interplay of illumination and obscurity.

Black and white photography has always spoken to me like a score of music might. Color can fool you, trick you into diverting your gaze, but with black and white imagery, the viewer is compelled to take the shape and motion into account.

I look for lines that move the eye through a frame the way a melody might guide emotion in a film score. Shadows, like the low hum of a brass section, provide the weight and texture that anchor a moment. These images reveal quiet drama, unexpected elegance, and often, simplicity that color can sometimes obscure.

Whether the subject is crumbling ruins in Gallina, Italy a lone land cruiser making their way through the Serengeti, or a misty morning in a NH vineyard, each image in this collection aims to highlight how form, texture, and tone can become a universal language of emotion.

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION:

I’ll be sharing stories behind some of the photographs in this show, my thought process during image capture, and how light has shaped my way of seeing the world. I’d love you to join me.

Meet the Artist Reception & Talk: July 10th, 2025 4-6pm at LaBelle Winery’s Art Gallery in Derry, NH

Spots are limited. You can sign up to attend here: https://labellewinery.com/shop/meet-the-artist-gallery-reception-jeff-dachowski-derry/

Thank you for being a part of this journey—of standing still and finding music in the light.
— Jeff Dachowski