Seeing Through the Eyes of Photographer Rose Valle

As a young girl Rose Valle often talked of becoming a photographer; but life and responsibilities seemed to always put that dream on hold. Then three years ago that lifelong wish became a reality, when Rose's husband Bill gave her a 35mm camera for Christmas. From the first moment she held the camera in her hand, her mind began to fill with ideas and images.

"Downtown"

Having only used one of those standard point and shoot cameras (like we all have stashed away on our shelves for holiday and vacation picture snapping); Rose wanted to really learn the nuances of shooting with a 35 mm, so she signed up for, and completed a course with, the New York School of Photography. They may have taught her the mechanics of using the camera, but it is an inherent natural talent that is conveyed in her work. Rose sees the world with wide open eyes and a down to earth spirituality that is reflected in every image she captures.

"Birdwatching"

Rose's work includes an eclectic mix of images from portraiture to wildlife, scenics and abstracts. Her wildlife pictures capture the very essence of the animal; an osprey guarding its towering nest, gulls grazing the surface of the water, pelicans soaring through the sky against a setting sun. The reflection of the sun on the ocean's surface is transformed into a startling abstract of light and color. A sunset silhouette of a man and boy on a bench is poignant and heart warming. Glass bottles in a shop window become an eye-catching still life.

"The B & B"

Some of her most interesting works are digitally created composites made from multiple images. They reflect a wry sense of humor; like a flood of water running down Second Street, with a young boy fishing from the curb, and a shark fin popping up in the waves. Rose likes to experiment with new techniques; always stretching her horizons by keeping her eyes open to the splendor of the world around her. The underlying thread that ties all her work together is a sense of spontaneity, and an appreciation of the beauty of simplicity.

"Sunset Bench"

Many of her printed works include philosophical Native American sayings that add even more depth to the captured images. Rose says she has always been impressed by the pureness and simplicity of their wisdom. The quiet words blend seamlessly with her exquisite images.

"Moonlight"

Not only does she take the photos and develop them herself, but she also mats and frames them with artistic flare. Again, her ingenuity pairs just the right color and style to perfectly enhance each image.

"Funky Cats"

Rose's photographic skills have been utilized by the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum for one of their book covers, by the Florida Nature Conservancy for a brochure about the Railroad Trestle Nature Trail, and in several of Cedar Key News's "Scenic Cedar Key" on-line photo features. She also recently won an Honorable mention Award in the New York Institute of Photography's World Wide Web Photo Contest (results of which can be seen at: http://www.nyip.com).

"Volcano Winery"

Rose Valle Photography offers services that include: weddings, location portraits, Proms, Digital Enhancement, photo restoration, scanning of photos to computer disc, and custom framing. Examples of her work are on display at the Valle family restaurant, "Cactus Rose", on State Road 24 in Cedar Key.