Limitless and Timeless Wonder – Photographers Leslie Carlin and Harry Turner return to the Spotlight Gallery

By Ricarda McFalls

This month the Spotlight Gallery welcomes back two exceptional artists, who previously exhibited individually: Photographers Harry Turner in 2024 and Leslie Carlin in 2023

For detailed individual background stories of each artist visit previous coverage:

Both artists spent their formative and university years in Ottawa, before heading off in different directions. Leslie’s passion and time for photography would have to wait for retirement to fully engage, while she first pursued a career in nursing: 23 years in Vancouver and then, as a clinical research coordinator, 15 years with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Leslie’s passion for nature would result in a deep focus on award-winning photographs of nearby bird life such as, but not limited to, cranes, owls, loons and hummingbirds.

By contrast, Harry’s pre-med studies took a turn during university. Whilst undertaking biomedical research incorporating photography, he discovered studying photography directly more compelling!

Enrolling into the photography program at Algonquin College provided Harry with a gateway into a lifelong professional photography career in the scientific and medical fields and subsequently as corporate photographer with the National Research Council of Canada here in Ottawa.

Clearly not overexposed to photography during his avid career, which spanned well over 40 years, Harry would himself enjoy sharing his expertise as professor in Algonquin’s Basic Photography Program evening part-time studies. He now continues to pursue his passion in retirement – often and most enjoyably with Leslie.

The couple first met when Leslie attended Harry’s Basic Photography course at Algonquin – a relationship that the couple reports would over time ‘develop’ (pun intended) into a committed personal relationship.

Given their different thematic interests, I reached out to Leslie and Harry to learn more about what they had been doing since their individual exhibits and how their relationship has influenced their art.

"We often find ourselves standing in front of a mutually desired photographic setting. At times one will say to the other jestingly ‘well you saw it first’, as if surrendering to the other’s ownership of said scene..." - Harry Turner, Photographer

It sounds like you have had more opportunities in recent years to photograph together. How has your partnership influenced your work and choice of images? 

“Photographing together allows us to spark ideas, expand our range of imagery and reach our full creative potential.” Harry indulges Leslie’s passion for wildlife and nature while Leslie embraces Harry’s passion for urban scenes and prospective abstraction. “We both enjoy sharing the moment much more so together as a couple. We remember the time on Manitoulin Island, Ontario when it was a cool and rainy autumn day and there were hundreds of sandhill cranes in a field by the roadside. Leslie was in her happy place experiencing the birds, snapping thousands of pictures regardless of the rain and Harry, from a distance of a few hundred meters, could feel the blissful excitement radiating from her. We were alone in our space on the road yet together at heart, sharing in the magic of that moment, making life better.”

That does sound blissful. Does this mean each of you crossed over more to the other’s themes over the years?

Sometimes. Harry has a much deeper appreciation of capturing images of birds, even pigeons, lol, while Leslie feels blessed to have many welcome opportunities to shoot a wide variety of scenes and situations on camera that she would not usually engage in, such as portraits, night scenes and wide-angle cityscapes etc. For example, this past winter, “we shared a wonderful experience in Florida shooting a wide range of material from wildlife to street murals, unique architecture, and landscapes. We have found that sharing the vision and the time together brings joy to our spirit. We both enjoy seeing the world from each other’s perspective. At times our visions mesh, other times they are widely divergent, however, always pleasantly interesting. Understanding each other’s interpretation of a scene, discussing possible strengths and weakness and finally creating the ‘perfect’ composition is mutually rewarding.”

It sounds as though your partnership has added passion to your skills and that you continue to evolve as artists.

True. Photography is a field that involves continuing education. Since their last exhibits, Leslie continues to drill down on her technical skills as a wildlife photographer, while broadening to other subjects. And though a professional photographer, Harry continues to build his skills as equipment evolves. He meets regularly with his amateur photographer friend David Stevenson, and together they strive to master new creative and post-editing techniques using the very latest camera systems and computer software.

You have chosen the theme “Limitless and Timeless Wonder”. What shall visitors expect to see this time?

Harry will be exhibiting thought-provoking, contemporary and monochromatic images which span his many years of ardent practice, including abstracts, landscapes, distant shorelines, and long exposures. Leslie will be presenting images of wild birds most recently captured in Florida and locally from the Ottawa and Gatineau region, as well as various street scenes and seascapes.

Which are your favourite photos?

Leslie’s favorite photo is titled “The Serious Ritual of Preening”

“Sandhill Cranes have been my devotion and passion since I was introduced to them accidentally many years ago. My aim is to present their beauty, grace, gentle and playful ways as well as their devotion to family in images to share with others. The beauty of this Sandhill Crane preening herself as she quietly rests on land is not to be surpassed.”

Harry’s favorite photo is titled “Alaskan Coastline in Blue”

“My vision is to simplify and distill the scene before me, as exemplified in this early morning image of a passing Alaskan coastline taken from our cruise ship balcony. The monochromatic colour palette unifies the image; the early morning mist renders the mountains a series of variously toned planes varying with distance. The ripples on the water introduce a visual vibration that leads the viewer into the image resulting in a somewhat meditative landscape”.

Are there any images that you took at the same time together?

“Many and frequently! We often find ourselves standing in front of a mutually desired photographic setting. At times one will say to the other jestingly ‘well you saw it first’, as if surrendering to the other’s ownership of said scene, yet we carry on and are able to position our own unique angle and come up with two totally different images, much the same as if there were two artists standing in front of and painting the same landscape.” While visiting ‘The Celery Fields’, a birding paradise in Sarasota, Florida, “we were surrounded by many sandhill cranes, which was a novel experience for both of us, and we each had our own perspective of their uniqueness portrayed in our own way.”

“Three Sandhill Cranes seeking refuge together after flight while quietly resting at a chosen spot in the habitat, oblivious to the human visitors overhead and any potential predators within.”

“Leslie’s vigilance paid off when she spotted a sedge of sandhill cranes heading our way and her announcing their arrival allowed me time to react and capture several images as they flew directly overhead.”