For the second year in a row, Kit Briner has taken first place in the Easton Arts Council’s annual photography contest.
Briner recently presented his winning photograph, “Shadow Architecture,” to First Selectman Dan Lent, who added it to a gallery of previous winners on permanent display at Easton Town Hall.
Briner, a poet, playwright and actor as well as a photographer, has lived in the area for more than 45 years. His approach to photography was influenced by his late partner, Geri Gould, who also was a photographer.
Briner uses the medium to find what he calls “discovered light,” an approach centered on finding “things that are there, but which go unnoticed.”
Light is at the heart of photography, illuminating color and creating contrasts with shadow. In “Shadow Architecture,” a grid of dark and light confronts the viewer head-on. Squares and planes make the subject difficult to immediately decipher, inviting the viewer to study the image and reconsider what is being seen.
“Creating visual irony is what I attempt to do,” Briner said.
Briner grew up in the Midwest and like many boys of his generation he was a fan of cowboy movies. He especially admired Lash LaRue, a B-Western star known for using a signature 8-foot bullwhip rather than a six-shooter to disarm the bad guys.
As a boy, Briner bought a whip at an Army-Navy store and learned to use it well enough that, when a circus came to his hometown of Muncie, Indiana, he landed a job performing in the ring.
Although he admired LaRue’s skill with a whip, Briner said he thought the cowboy star lacked acting talent. Working in the circus, however, introduced Briner to what he describes as “the symbiotic nature between performer and audience.”
He knew then that he had found his calling. Like LaRue, he wanted to become an actor — only, he hoped, a better one.
Briner continued developing his artistic interests as a teenager. His father was an accomplished photographer and encouraged his son to pursue photography as well. Briner saved his money and bought his first camera, a Yashica single-lens reflex camera, when he was 14.
After winning the Easton Arts Council photography contest for two consecutive years, Briner believes he may be on a roll. In conversations with fellow artists, he said he has found agreement that creative abilities can grow stronger with age.
“I think we take the time to notice more,” he said.
The Easton Arts Council will again sponsor its annual Photo Contest and Exhibition from Nov. 12 through Jan. 2.
Photographers of all skill levels may enter, and there is no residency requirement. Photographs may be submitted in one of two categories: Local or General. Local entries must depict Easton, while General entries may feature photographs taken anywhere.
Entrants may bring up to two framed photographs to the Easton Public Library Community Room from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, or from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 8. The entry fee is $20 per photograph. First-place winners in each category will receive a $100 cash prize.
The Easton Arts Council will hold a reception honoring participating photographers from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Easton Public Library. Juror Suzanne Brandt will present prizes and certificates and offer commentary on the works selected for recognition.
Details and entry forms are available on the Easton Arts Council website.
