The Galveston Art League Gallery features a wide-ranging collection of photos by county resident Morten Lamoey from Dec. 31-Jan. 30. Many of the photos depict nature and coastal life.
Hours to see the exhibit, at 2117A Postoffice St. in downtown Galveston, are 12:00pm to 6:00pm Fridays-Sundays. The Art League also presents the entire new exhibit, with dozens of other members’ artworks in addition to Lamoey’s, on its website, www.GalvestonArtLeague.com.
Lamoey has been an enthusiastic photographer from his early teens when he was using a point-and-shoot Kodak Instamatic camera. He bought his first SLR camera at age 19, and at that time took a course “to learn about the intricacies of photography. I figured out early that the key to good pictures would always be light, enough of it, and from the right angles.”
He has worked with both Nikon and Canon cameras, and now shoots with a Nikon. But he frequently grabs his smartphone for shooting, too. “My camera phone is always in my pocket, ready to capture anything that may happen. I always make sure to have the top camera phone just for special moments when my 9-pound Nikon with zoom lens is not handy, and that’s often.”
Lamoey says he’s “never tried to make a living from photography, but that would be a dream.” He has nonetheless had a colorful work history. “I spent five years in the Norwegian air force before joining Schlumberger and a career in oilfield services. This eventually brought me to Houston, where I met my wife, and together we spent the next eight years in Europe on international transfers.”
In 2016 the couple relocated to Galveston’s East End, and Lamoey takes advantage of the island’s many photo opportunities in nature. “Catching wildlife in action is my preference, so I rarely use a tripod since my subjects tend to move a lot and sometimes really fast.”
Lamoey goes on shoots two to four times a month, “and I easily take 200-plus pictures every time I’m out.” Because he is so prolific, Lamoey depends on high-quality photo-handling software to prevent the amassed files from becoming unmanageable. He’s always searching for ways to improve his craft and taps many sources for information: by subscribing to skilled nature photographers on YouTube, attending workshops, poring over books, and viewing online videos.
As the primary documenting photographer for the all-volunteer Galveston Art League, Lamoey snaps photos of artworks that will be shown during monthly displays; he also shoots at various league events. He’s a regular exhibitor at monthly Art League shows. “Before joining the Art League, I had never showed my pictures outside Facebook, so it’s been an eye-opener to new opportunities and venues,” he says.
Founded in 1914, the nonprofit group advocates on behalf of visual arts and art education in and beyond Galveston County through various workshops, exhibits, art-related travel, and member-only preview parties. To learn about joining the organization as either a patron or as a member artist, check out www.GalvestonArtLeague.com. For further information, please email gallery2117@gmail.com.
