Photographer Sally Greenebaum, who has just opened an exhibit at Amherst’s Jones Library, also has a close connection to music. She grew up in a musical family in Amherst and plays the cello with a variety of groups, including a string ensemble, the Quark Quartet. She sees links between music and photography: “It may well be that my interest in visual patterns comes from my experience playing chamber music. Much of my photography really consists of variations on a theme.”
But Greenebaum, of Northampton, also enjoys the spontaneity and flexibility of photography, the ability to look for images in a variety of places — nature, cities, work settings — and try out different ideas. “If a particular point of view isn’t working for me, I can easily zoom in or out for another perspective. That is what gives me so much pleasure in this art.”
Hampshire Life: Talk about the work you’re currently doing. What does it involve, and what are you trying to achieve?
Sally Greenebaum: In addition to my exhibit, I’m working on completing a Northampton Alphabet Photo Book. I took pictures of store signs in downtown Northampton and am compiling them into an alphabet book with local flavor.
HL: What do you draw inspiration from? Do you ever have any “Eureka!” moments?
SG: I enjoy discovering patterns in water and on land. Reflections in the water always change, and when I snap the shutter, I am never quite sure what I have found. On land, objects and their shadows also combine in unexpected ways to create new objects that will disappear and change as the sun moves.
I had a recent “eureka” moment in the kitchen with my son. As we were finishing breakfast, I noticed the light creating patterns on some crumpled aluminum foil on the table. I got my camera out and started snapping. One of those photos is in my show!
HL: How do you know when your work is finished?
SG: I usually take multiple images of my subject from different angles and distances and then choose the ones that work best. I do minimal editing; mostly what you see is what the camera sees. I’d rather be outside letting my eye do the work than spending time on the computer.
HL: Have you ever had a “mistake” — a project that seemed to be going south — turn into a wonderful discovery instead?
SG: I took one of my favorite photos through an airplane window while flying over the Rocky Mountains in Colorado during the winter. I took the photo in color, but it looks black and white — almost like a Japanese pen and ink drawing or even a pastel painting. You can see the mountain peaks covered in snow, with the tree lines zig-zagging through the snow.
HL: Name two artists you admire or who have influenced your work.
SG: My photography reflects my love of music. I recently performed works by Beethoven and Ravel with my string quartet. What I loved most about those two pieces is how the different rhythmic and musical patterns in each of the four string parts fit together to make beautiful music.
HL: If you weren’t an artist, what do you think you’d be?
SG: By day, I am an occupational therapist, treating clients with upper extremity injuries and helping them get back to their daily activities. I love the creativity that goes along with being an OT, figuring out the best way to help my clients achieve their goals. My cello and my camera are my therapies and creative outlets.
HG: What do you do when you’re stuck?
SG: I don’t know that I ever feel stuck in the true sense of the word. I don’t usually go out to take photos with a plan. I am eager to discover something new as I walk along.
— Steve Pfarrer
Sally Greenebaum’s exhibit, “Patterns: Hidden in Plain View,” will be on display at the Burnett Gallery at the Jones Library through April 30. Her website is sallygreenebaumphoto.com.