Montauk Pioneer - July 3, 2009 - Incredible Photography

James Katsipis Brings Remarkable Photos To Bocca Lupo Art Gallery In Montauk This Weekend

There are many talents budding in Montauk. One that is accelerating full-speed at the moment is Montauk photographer and surfer James Katsipis. His latest work will be on display in a show titled, "CHERISH the visions of Montauk," at the Bocca Lupo Art Gallery at the Stone Building, on 552 West Lake Drive in Montauk starting July 3 and running throughout the month of July.

James Katsipis was late coming to the world of photography, actually taking it up when he was 16-years-old at East Hampton High School. His first camera, a Canon Rebel, could not propel James to get a passing grade in 11th grade photography but it did open up a world where his talent with colors, shapes, light and composition borders on genius.

He is a young man who knows that in his field you never stop learning, and he mentions his influences, mostly artists with Montauk connections like Andy Warhol, Peter Beard and Walter Iooss Jr. He credits Walter's son Bjorn Iooss for introducing him to the world of lighting skills. He believes he grew as a photographer just by admiring their work, and finds himself fine-tuning some of their concepts to his ideas on how to catch the magic of a moment on film.

The current exhibition will have around 45 of James's latest works. He admitted that his favorite, still untitled, is of his fiancé Melissa on a ladder in the dead of winter in a barren apple tree holding an apple. I recommend you check out that particular shot.

James also said he has been able to capture the magic of surfing because so many of his friends are world class surfers and can do magic on a board. He sends a warm thanks to the Atlantic Terrace crew, for their help in his capturing so many amazing shots while they were out doing their thing. James is proud of his mom and dad, Diane and Gus Katsipis. He asked his twin brother, Jason, and sisters Diana and Dorothy be mentioned because of he loves them.

But more than anything else James also explained how the essence of Montauk calls out to him and his talent endlessly. The beauty of the seasons, the ocean, the bays, the beaches, the parks, the town and the people seem to inspire him to never stop taking great pictures. The sunrises and sunsets of Montauk inspire all to give it a go, but James seems to go beyond that point. In this year's exhibit James revels a new dark side to his Jekyll-and-Hyde moods of late. However he laughed it off saying, "It changes a lot."

Last year James had a successful show in Bridgehampton at the Collette Gallery titled, "Preserve." But the true magic of James is his way of seeing what is there and then squeezing it to compose a shot that has motion, and color definition while it dances through the various specters of what light can do when stopped to be photographed. His use of shadows dramatizes shots to the point of a stillness that has energy of a body at rest that was in perpetual motion. He admits he learns new things everyday and then goes out and experiments with it. But he always seems to go back to Montauk.

"The gift of being from here, living here is awesome," he said. "It is just such a beautiful place and I just love being able to share my love of Montauk through my work. It raises my level of work, because I love Montauk that much."

An avid Facebook participator, one usually knows what James is up to. It must be mentioned how so many of James's work has ended up on covers, especially of the Montauk Pioneer. The paper is honored to be able to showcase some his photography so that everyone can see how amazing it is for themselves.

The opening of the exhibit starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. on Sunday. James said there will be a band, champagne, good treats and suggest anyone who loves Montauk go take a long look at the work. The simple fact is James is a part of the fabric of Montauk.

As for his future James said, "I never want to stop progressing. I intend to stay true to myself and never stray...... And I never intend to be big-headed. I will never stop asking questions, asking for help from others, I know there is so much to learn about photography."

You can't teach talent, you can't teach genius, but you can fine tune it and discipline it. James Katsipis has the talent. Go see it, you won't regret it.