Local artist sees the world in infrared

HIE…HIE (High Speed Infrared Film) Opening Reception: April 19, 7 p.m. Trinity Gallery 4747 Hatfield St. Runs through May 31 412-687-2458

There are six different kinds of electromagnetic radiation, but the human eye is only sensitive to visible light. Normally, we can’t see infrared rays, but as photographer Dan Gaser discovered while working with infrared film, life lights up in a very different way when we can.

Gaser’s work in infrared photography will be showcased from April 19 through May 31 at Trinity Gallery, which Gaser himself owns and runs. The opening reception for the exhibition, HIE, will take place on the first night of the exhibition.”Infrared photographs allow us to see the world in a completely different way than we are used to. You don’t know what you’re going to get until you get to the darkroom,” said Gaser.

Gaser looks for inspiration in everyday life and seeks to capture beauty in the mundane. Seascapes, cityscapes and flora are a few subjects that he has worked with extensively in the past.

“I always push myself to try new things,” said Gaser.

As someone who aims to see the world in novel ways, Gaser was interested in how infrared film would change his perception of his subjects. The technique captures thermal energy, rather than visible light, giving his photographs a ghostly, ethereal resonance.

“There’s a nice metaphor about taking photographs, that there’s a thread that connects the photograph to the photographer to the viewer,” said Gaser.

He hopes viewers will be able to see some part of themselves or their past in his work.

Gaser worked with infrared film for 18 months until he found subjects that responded well to the medium. Previously, he experimented with cyanotype photography and plans to work with platinum printing in the near future. At the beginning of his career, he photographed in color but was drawn to black-and-white photography because the medium felt, to Gaser, like a higher art form.

“I think the better photographers are black and white photographers,” said Gaser. “Black-and-white photography is all about composition whereas, with color photography, it’s more about having devastating colors.”

Gaser’s photography career began with the birth of his daughter, whom he photographed constantly. His interest developed further when she decided to pursue photography in college. He built his own darkroom and has since devoted much of his time to mastering his art.

In addition to his career as a photographer, Gaser teaches middle school English and runs Trinity Gallery, where he teaches classes. He continues to work toward his degree in photography at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

In his classes, Gasser stresses the importance of learning from unsuccessful photographs. “Digital cameras let you erase your mistakes. I think that will hurt photography in the long run,” he said. “When Photoshop becomes a verb, it’s no longer photography. It’s still art, but it’s not photography.”

Trinity Gallery is devoted to showcasing artists who are still at the beginning of their careers or may not have any previous exhibiting experience. Gaser works to help artists feel more confident about the process.

“It’s really not about the commission,” said Gaser. “It’s like a stepping stone, like training. I help them every step of the way. We become friends.”

Whereas other galleries charge artists as much as 50 or 60 percent commission, Trinity charges only 20 percent.

Gaser believes that art plays a vital role in society, especially for students burdened by the stresses of college and young adulthood.

“The arts are just as important, if not more important, than math and science,” said Gaser. “Artists usually tell the truth. They may suffer for it, but they usually tell the truth. What art ultimately does is help us deal with being human.”