Capturing new images on old film

BY JUDI KOSKI

Rachelle Bergeron's photographic work explores the possibilities of portraiture and its remarkable potential to capture a fleeting moment, singular emotion or complex sentiment.  In her current exhibit of black and white photos, Bergeron identifies the confident and austere in subjects who are sometimes aged and thoughtful or youthful and boisterous.

Bergeron was born and raised in Sudbury, and as a Cambrian College graphic design graduate, she worked for three years with a local photographer.  She was so taken by the art of photography that she opened her own studio at 122 Durham (above Reg Wilkinson Men's Wear) more than 15 years ago.

"While I obviously prefer the portrait side of my creativity, such as photographs of family, children, and personal portraits, I also embrace the commercial side as well," said Bergeron.  Her work has been published in books and cultural magazines.  She has also taken photographs for product promotion, business cards and the like.

Her most recent show at La Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario (GNO) is very personal to Bergeron because the photographs are of friends and acquaintances that are special to her.

"What I look for when choosing a subject is not a fashion thing, it's more a study of interesting people of all ages, from all walks of life," she said.

"I also like the rawness of these photographs, how they look with no frames and how the grain of the paper shows through."

Her work uses older technology, and is all shot using film instead of new digital technology. Bergeron is involved in the entire process from choosing her subjects, to taking the photos, to developing the film in her own darkroom.

"This older technology works for me and I'll keep shooting film as long as I can buy film and developing solution," she said.

She also goes on to say, "It's been a long haul to get to this point in my career, but I've had a lot of support from both the French and Anglophone communities. I would also like to thank GNO for giving me this fantastic opportunity to exhibit my work and Cheryl Rondeau (curator and artistic advisor) for having such faith in me."