Opening night for the first annual Maine Photographers Showcase drew artists and photography fans to Boothbay Region Art Foundation in Boothbay Harbor April 1. This outstanding collection of work by 24 Maine photographers is one you do not want to miss. Truly!

I see this invitational show as the phoenix of the former Maine Photography Show that was held, with great success, for 17 years at BRAF. The Showcase has no categories, no juror, no prizes; it is the artist’s choice, yes, photography is art and make no mistake – when you see these photos that fact will be undeniable.

This first group of Maine shutterbugs were asked to select five images – stand-alone pics or a series of five; frame them and bring them to BRAF ready to hang – and, hopefully, be sold! And did they ever. Invited photographers are Linda Alschuler, Jennifer Bechard, Rick Berk, Elizabeth Root Blackmer, Felice Boucher, Linda Cullivan, Mike Cullivan, Dave Dostie, Amy Durocher, Steve Fabricius, Kevin Fahrman, Mike Giglia, Lois Glaser, Michael Hagenbuch, Ella Hudson, Knapp Hudson, Ed Kenney, Caroline Samson, Rob Smith, Dick Tarr, Jon Tobiaz, Lisa Mossel Vietze, Emily Whiting, Ben Williamson, and Bruce Burnham, who has two works in the show.

Bruce put this show together to continue to shine a spotlight on the art of photography. “I was very, very pleased with this show – they all are. It’s as much about the photographer as it is about the image. Caroline told me it was nice to get the juror out of it and let the photographers show what they wanted to show. You don’t want to miss this show; if you do you will miss some of Maine’s great photographers.”

Caroline wasn’t the only artist to comment on the new show format. Many sent emails to the gallery. Jennifer Bechard wrote, “Seeing images on the screen is one thing, seeing them in print is a whole other level of emotion. I was blown away! I plan to be back a few more times with guests to proudly share this stunning showcase;” from Dave Dostie – “In a world that’s so digitally driven, I deeply appreciate the authenticity and camaraderie that the in-person experience presents;” and from Linda Alschuler: “Thank you Bruce! I’m so glad you had this vision as a new way to celebrate and bring attention to photographic talent in Maine. It’s a terrific show!”

Photography is art. And I had the pleasure of talking with some of the artists about their photos, OK, specifically ones that piqued my interest, in particular!

Out of Elizabeth Root Blackmer’s series of five it was “Earthscape” that drew me in. The treelike shapes, the subdued, yet dramatic colors … I felt something was happening behind the scene that I was missing because I was so focused on other things … it could have been a backdrop to some apocalyptic vision. Well, turns out “Earthscape” and the other four intriguing images were, ready? Sand. All sand. “Earthscape” was shot in Tenant’s Harbor.

“Since the pandemic I’ve been photographing mostly sand because it’s neutral,” Elizabeth said. “I like the patterns that return in nature. And so, what you see is already there on its own; the feelings you get have to come from the place. They are not the same as the feeling you get when you see a baby seal (for instance).”

True enough. Some images of animals, babies, birds … elicit an almost universal emotional response. Elizabeth’s work elicits a response from deep within each individual’s psyche. Very cool stuff. Dive in!

Dave Dostie has been shooting pro for the past 10 years and shoots for various publications now. His work is often in B&W, which I have always loved for photos and movies … So, I got to talk to Dave about his image of the fishing boat being tossed around like a toy off Portland Head Lighthouse, where Dave just happened to be … He had just put his camera away and went back out to the lighthouse when he saw the 55-foot fishing boat coming his way.

“I booked it back to my car and the timing was just right. Basically, I ran down to the lighthouse, to shield myself from the wind, and started shooting,” Dave said. “There were 60-65 mph winds and swells were 22-24 feet – the biggest seen in years.”

Dave says he’s “passionate about documenting work; about capturing life as it is happening.”

His photographs in the show clearly demonstrate that passion.

Four of Linda Alshuler’s nature images are colorful, one looks more like a pen and ink sketch than a photo – but photographers have ways to accentuate an image, don’t they? Linda’s “Autumn Abstract” was taken in Acadia, near Bubble Pond, but it wasn’t as vibrant as the photograph in the show.

“I put the photo on paper with a silver metallic finish. The sheen on the paper almost makes the leaves look like they are gold foil,” Linda said.

And it really does. The sky that day was gray, which also helps the image pop. But, I tell you: those brilliant yellow leaves hanging from a tree with twisted trunk and leaves … it almost dances. Love this one.

Amy Durocher of Winthrop has a series of images of fresh water ice that are most intriguing. “Dripping” is among them – and as it turns out, is a fan fave on her social media page. Amy lives on Maranacook Lake and over the past two warm winters she’s noticed some changes that have had an effect on the ice.

“The ice has more texture, more bubbles … it’s a really beautiful aspect to this change. ‘Dripping’ was shot after the Christmas storm. The wind really whipped up over the lake that wasn’t frozen yet. The air froze drips that formed along the shore. The are wavy lines inside echoing the drip lines … the ice has very soft shapes, not hard as you’d expect.”

The patterns within the ice make you say, or at least mouth, a “wow” ... and the scratch-like textures appeared to be runes within the ice, maybe you’ll see them, too.

I spoke with so many of the brilliant photographers at the opening reception last Saturday afternoon – too many I now realize to include in this column. All I can say is see this show. You’ll be blown away! And, as I am striving to become more Hemingway than Michener ... it’s time to sign off!

The Maine Photographers Showcase is on exhibit at BRAF at 1 Townsend Ave. in downtown Boothbay Harbor through May 6. The gallery’s open Thursday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.