Photo by Lauren Barnhart
With the current influx of desktop wallpaper and Flickr albums we tend to get worn out rummaging through photos or seeing fluke amateur sunrise shots receive so many accolades.
It takes something truly striking for us to remember that photography’s purpose is not just to have a new default picture that our friends will “like.” Photography is art. It is the ability to capture the essence and feel of a moment. It’s a catalog of fleeting beauty. In Baltimore, we’re lucky enough to be reminded of this in the extraordinary work of Philip Laubner. Philip is an enigmatic and ebullient individual who inspires whoever is around with his passion and excitement.
With a style unique and inspiring on its own, his shots are a call back to where photography came from and where it can go. This ability to capture the feeling and emotion of an event was wonderfully displayed at Cyclops Thursday night in Philip’s shots of a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade and other photos he displayed from his portfolio.
Photo by Lauren Barnhart, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Lauren Barnhart
Storied Baltimore writer Rafael Alvarez made an appearance and shared a short story with the audience before introducing Philip Laubner. The many notable guests at the reception are a testament to the caliber of Philip’s photography and the sincerity that finds him friends where ever he lands.
Photo by Lauren Barnhart, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Theresa Keil
Silent Whys performing an intimate acoustic set at the opening reception of Evacuation Route.
Drawing on influences from Imogen Cunningham, Diane Arbus, Robert Frank and the art that constantly surrounds him, Philip was able to take inspiring and creative shots of New Orleans that were both vivid and eye catching. You couldn’t walk around without being drawn into each photo. Philip also showed photos from the recent Station North Fall Music Festival, great images of musicians Kaki King, Emily Wells, and the McTell Brothers; each one displaying an attitude of their unique style in each shot. Throughout the night different artists and people came from all over to check out the show and support Philip’s work.
Photo by Theresa Keil, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Theresa Keil
Doreen Bolger, director of the Baltimore Museum of Art, loved the show, the atmosphere that was created by the music and art, and the work that Philip is doing.
Philip got into photography out of necessity. He was working for an ad agency when the staff photographer had to leave due to the wreckage hurricane Katrina had caused his home and his life. Philip told the story of how he started his career as a photographer at the beginning of 2006. “My boss, Tim Weston, was from Texas and he was kind of a Maverick. He called anyone under the age of 60 “son.” So he asked me “Son, can you work a camera?” Philip explained that he’d only taken a few classes, but to his boss that was irrelevant. “Good, you got your first job tomorrow,” his boss informed him. Upon seeing Philip’s work more and more people started requesting him to shoot for them until eventually he became the new staff photographer at the agency.
Photo by Theresa Keil, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Lauren Barnhart
Caleb Stine gave a heartfelt performance during the reception. Recently, Philip Laubner wrote a glowing review of the release of Stine’s latest album, I Wasn’t Built For a Life Like This at the Creative Alliance.
Photo by Lauren Barnhart, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Theresa Keil
Those who made it out to Cyclops to support Phil, like Lauren Barnhart, Ian Hesford and Rae Beth (pictured above), were transported into the lives of those pictured at the New Orleans Mardi Gras parades. We saw photos of a biker lady proudly displaying her beads, a band leader covered from head to toe in flashy colored sequins and feathers while casually smoking and holding a banner, and a photo similar to one of Imogen Cunningham’s, of a masked clown accentuated by, as Philip described it, the surrounding negative space. Philip discussed if his preference was more for the staged shoots or the impromptu shots. Philip stated that he loved the feel of a candid shot; then with complete mood appropriateness, Philip described it as being, “like Jazz.” Philip continued to give a tour of his works, regaling everyone in Cyclops with interesting stories and fun anecdotes of his work and experience in the Big Easy.
Photo by Theresa Keil, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Theresa Keil
Later in the evening Caleb Stine had an impromptu jam session with Philip and Justin Allen in perfect New Orleans style. Shodekeh made an impressive appearance as well. The night was filled with great music, art and community. The atmosphere mirrored what Philip was able to do with his photography: bring a glimpse and the feel of New Orleans to Baltimore.
Photo by Theresa Keil, story by Peter Cardamone.
Photo by Theresa Keil
Thor with Philip Laubner
Thor is the winner of this week’s prestigious and highly coveted, “You My Furry Friend, Besides Being Aptly Named For The Norse God Of Thunder and Oak Trees, Are Also An Amazing Friend To Mr. Laubner and an Ever So Pleasant House Guest So This Is Why You’re The Winner of This Week’s Award,” award. Keep on howlin’ Thor. You’ve earned that right.
Photo by Theresa Keil, story by Peter Cardamone.
