Lake Effect Lace, Erie Art Museum

Lake Effect Lace Gallery Talk with Carol Posch Comstock
January 20, 2012
Erie Art Museum
411 State Street
Erie, PA   16501

Many years ago when I was an undergraduate student at Villa Maria College, I took a photography class taught by Carol Posch Comstock.  I was pleased to see she was giving a presentation on her latest photographic interest at the Erie Art Museum.  Carol is developing expertise in photographing snowflakes and because I knew she would bring passion and devotion to her work, I was interested in hearing her speak.

Carol became interested in photographing snowflakes through her interests in nature and geometric patterns.  Before hearing her speak, I had never thought of snowflakes as geometrically shaped, but she is right.  How could I have missed that?

Carol explained the process used in working with these tiny creations.  It involves connecting a camera to a microscope lens and carefully placing a snowflake on a slide.  This is a painstaking process that involves the proper lighting and temperature conditions--snowflakes melt quickly.  I was surprised to learn atmospheric conditions affect the detail on the flakes.  Carol said an outside temperature in the single digits will produce a more sharply defined flake than temperatures in the 20's.

Carol's photographs were breathtaking.  The snowflakes are so intricate, so delicate, and so temporary.  There is a world of beauty to be found under Carol's microscope, a world that well melt before us.  I was entranced by Carol's work.

If you would like to see examples of her work, she has a show at the Erie Art Museum through February 25, 2012.  You can also check her website at www.goodsofthespirit.com.