The Photography of Berkeley Lake Artist Rigsby Barnes

It’s hard to believe that Rigsby Barnes hasn’t been a photographer all of his life.

The Berkeley Lake resident's compositions are so perfectly constructed, geometrically fascinating and aesthetically sensitive. From the festive, colorfully explosive scenes of Mardi Gras, the sacred geometry depicted in his photos of architectural antiquities, to the sorrowful mood he captured in his photo of a statue of Mary outside a now-closed church built in 1848 for German speaking emigrants in New Orleans, Rigsby intuitively senses the energy of his subjects.

Typical of artisans, his work evolves out of both a refined sense of beauty and a love of nature. It is the gift of being alert to one’s surroundings. When visiting wildlife preserves, mountains, swamps, as well as architecturally historic urban areas, Barnes feels they provide him experiences that help to satisfy his curiosity about nature and the world. 

 It was only after a life changing heart attack eight years ago that he started taking his art seriously. His long time management and marketing career with the airlines and travel management companies both primed him for the discipline of his art and provided him the ability to travel extensively.

He has taken every opportunity to photograph distinctive historical sites and artifacts, in addition to other spontaneously captured moments. His more recent travels have taken him to Venice, Budapest, Prague, London, Paris, Australia and the Yucatan.           

 Barnes started shooting with a 35mm camera, but after being introduced to digital technology by a friend, he recognized an available world of spontaneity and vibrant color. Now he shoots only digital, sometimes experimenting with the different textures produced by gels where he adhere his photographs to canvas then deepens the textures and moods with various suffused color glazes which gives his work a distinct signature.  He also experiments with antique ceiling tins, clear plastic and collage.

“Put a camera around my neck and I become a part of where I am, “says Barnes.  What excites me most is bringing home a picture from one of these outings that’s worthy of signing and displaying. If someone else likes the picture, that’s the icing on the cake.”

Rigsby admits that he doesn’t always come home with pictures worthy of hanging, but its like golf. There’s always the next time out. He shoots a lot because he might not be in that place again with that perfect lighting or mood. Like most photographers, he likes to take as many options for excellent pictures as possible.    

“The hard work comes when reviewing the pictures back home in the computer. I’m always searching for that special shot that stands out from the rest" he said. "For the most part, it’s very elusive.  But when you discover one, it’s very rewarding.”

Barnes says finding those few really good pictures and sharing them with others who also find joy in them is what inspires him most about photography. “It makes me want to go back out searching for those special shots waiting for my eye and my God-given mind set to register and record.”