Art at Broadmoor: November 2024 Afternoon at Broadmoor by Randy Johnson

November 2024 Afternoon at Broadmoor

The Photography of Randy Johnson • On Display November 1-December 31

From November 1 through December 31, 2025, the assembly room at Mass Audubon Broadmoor’s Saltonstall Nature Center will feature the prints of Randy Johnson, shot at Broadmoor on a manual camera in the Fall of 2024.

From the Artist

“I purchased a Pentax Spotmatic F 35 mm camera with a Toyo 28-80 zoom lens at a Natick yard sale a few weeks prior to the Broadmoor excursion. In addition to the enlarger and the print dryer that were thrown in with the $15 purchase, the camera had some film in it. The ASA dial was set at 400, so I assumed it was B&W Tri-X. I could develop the film in the basement darkroom. It was perfect fall weather for the five of us to explore Broadmoor and test out the vintage equipment. There was an abundance of scenes to record, thinking of each composition in black and white. The surprise was that instead of B&W, the film was 30 +/- year-old Fuji color slide film. Well beyond my darkroom capability, it went out for processing at Newtonville Camera (now Hunts).

About a month later, I picked up the box of slides. They were below my lowest expectation: washed out, pinkish tone, with barely detectable images. But all was not lost – I had also paid for scanning. Using the Mac Preview editing software, instead of trying to resurrect color, each image was modified to the originally conceived monochromatic state- sepia instead of black and white. The various flecks and dark spots remain, part of the patina. I found the results captivating enough to assemble this exhibit and tell the story of an outdoor and photographic adventure.”

About the Artist

Randy Johnson is an architect living and working in Natick MA whose photographic exhibits include the Great Diamond Island series at The Millbrook School, and publication of the award-winning Golf at Harvard sequence in the Harvard Gazette. In addition to architecture and photography, Randy writes opinion columns for the MetroWest Daily News. He is a member of the Natick Affordable Housing Trust and a past member of the Natick Conservation Commission.

Opening Reception

Celebrate the exhibition on Sunday, November 9 from 2:00-4:00 pm. Meet the artist, enjoy light refreshments, and explore the art. This event is free with admission.

For more information, please contat [email protected].