Humble magician behind the camera lens

Emerging photographer David Kallant, a biochemist by profession, is debuting over 20 years of his best work at the accomplished age of 51 tomorrow at Gallerie Ouest in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. Don’t expect to see uptight urban settings or elaborate portraits captured in this photographer’s inspiring body of work. Most of the magic that Beaconsfield resident Kallant weaves behind the camera lens is inspired by the natural world around him. A world he actively participates in when he hikes, travels, or steps into his own breathtaking backyard, where you can discover azaleas blooming up the size of small songbirds.

This artist was first bit with photography bug when he took his camera with him on a canoeing trip more than two decades ago. He shot a lot of self-described “documentary photographs” in his early days of photography, mostly shots of his buddies and him enjoying the great outdoors. Yet, after awhile, picture-taking became more of a passion then hobby, one he looked to award-winning photographer Freeman Patterson for further guidance in. “Freeman Patterson talks about designing pictures visually,” said Kallant at his home last Friday as he described the life altering workshops he took with Patterson a few years back “It was a quantum leap in what I was doing,” he added. “I am much more careful at looking at pictures (now).”

Kallant photographs are sometimes so minutely detailed they appear to be ancient Chinese drawings, astounding considering many of the trees he captures are native to Canada. He quickly explained the sandwich technique he uses on some of his favourite photographs, where an out of focus picture is mounted over an in focus picture for a softer look. A stunning statement that looks quite lush when capturing that natural world up close, like blood red berries dangling from their stems. “Sometimes I see more texture and color” said Kallant, which comes across in his most memorable photographs, which are more about playing with light, atmosphere and distinguished impressions, than they are about storytelling.

When it comes down to the all important question of why he chose this time in his life to have his first exhibit for such an astounding collection, he gave mention to his many friends who loved his photography privately, and lovingly suggested he humbly get on with it. As for his love affair with nature that has been steady and ongoing, he celebrates it with a vernissage on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. (his work will be displayed until Aug. 12). “The natural world is important. A lot of people feel disconnected to the world,” said Kallant. He just happens to be one more artistic maverick the aids the rest of us in bridging that connection. For more info, www.galerieouest.ca.