(Oneida, NY – Nov. 2015) The Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center announces the opening of a photography exhibit featuring the work of local resident, Cliff Hopkins. Hopkins’ award-winning work is primarily of wildlife, nature, and scenery. He enjoys being out in nature and taking pictures to share with others.
Photography has always been a part of his life. His mother and maternal grandfather instilled the love of picture taking in him at a young age.
Hopkins was about 10 years old when he received his first camera, a Hawkeye Brownie. While serving in the Marines he developed darkroom skills that he later used in his law enforcement career. After years of taking photos at crime scenes, accidents, and fires, upon his retirement, he returned to photography for his own personal enjoyment with a renewed energy.
Currently, Hopkins is using a Nikon D7000 and shares his process via social media, using primarily Adobe products Lightroom and Photoshop. He goes on beyond just clicking the shutter; he enjoys tweaking the composition, exposures, and focus to create works of art from the images he collects. Hopkins credits his abilities to some “excellent” mentoring, and in turn, likes to share his knowledge with others.
For the past four years Hopkins has donated his time and effort to the Central NY Tour DeCure fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association. This year he was also asked to go to Saratoga Springs and Watkins Glen to cover events. The ADA has used his photographs extensively in their promotional materials. Hopkins was recognized this year by the ADA with a plaque for his efforts on their behalf. Additionally, he was enlisted as a photographer for the Alzheimer’s Walk at Long Branch Park in Liverpool this year.
A favorite quote of Hopkins’ sums up his passion for his art: “Photography is man’s attempt at immortality. To save our memories and share them with others: the places we have been, the people we have known, the things we have done.”
Hopkins work will be on display through Dec.11 in the Jessie Griffing Memorial Art Gallery housed in the Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center.
Admission is free.
The gallery is open for viewing Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.