photography – Derby Public Library's Blog

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Huntress

First line: She was not used to being hunted.

Summary: Nina dreamed of becoming a pilot. When the German army attacks her native Russia, she enlists to help her country fight its invaders. As one of the all-female bomber regiment called the Night Witches, she gets her wish. Until one day when she goes down behind enemy lines and encounters the evil villainous known as the Huntress.

Ian Graham spent the war years as a war correspondent. He everything from the invasion of Omaha Beach to the Nuremburg Trials but he is determined to find and bring to justice one person, the Huntress. With a personal vendetta against the war criminal he joins an organization tasked with finding members of the Nazi party that escaped punishment.

Jordan McBride is a young girl and aspiring photographer in 1946. Her father recently married a mysterious Austrian widow but her story makes Jordan suspicious. The more she learns the less she trusts her. She is determined to find out who this woman is in order to protect her father.

Told in three narratives we piece together the story of the Huntress.

My Thoughts: From the very first chapter I was hooked. I have been a longtime fan of Kate Quinn and her newest novel does not disappoint. I think I can even say with confidence that it is her best book to date. I loved the different timelines and how each intertwine. This would be perfect for fans of historical fiction and mysteries.

Nina was by far my favorite character. She is strong woman but also has a deep seeded fear. I enjoyed seeing her change and grow throughout the story. She starts as a poor girl from eastern Russia who dreams of becoming a pilot. As the war progresses she discovers more about herself and the country she serves. I learned so much while reading her chapters. I had never heard of female bomber teams during World War II. Even though Russia has a history of being behind the times, this is a very progressive stance. And for them to be highly decorated after the war for their courage.

Read the author’s notes at the end for more background on the story. You can tell that Quinn did a lot of research to build her narrative.

FYI: This reminded me a lot of the new release movie, Operation Finale, starring Oscar Isaac. It follows the search and capture of Adolph Eichmann, the mastermind behind the Holocaust.

New photography exhibit gets viewers up close

The Derby Arts Council is pleased to announce the installation of “Macro/Melange,” an exhibit featuring photographic works by the members of the Wichita Area Camera Club. The exhibit, which opens Jan. 9, 2017, in the Gathering Space Gallery at the Derby Public Library,

Macro photo of a magnolia pod opening — “Magnolia Pod Awakening” by Glenda Webster

features macro and standard photography. Viewers of the exhibit will find themselves reflecting on their interests and asking questions prompted by the photos.

Macro photography, taking close-up photographs of tiny objects, has become a more popular technique with the advent of digital cameras. It presents the photographer with many challenges, as trying to capture the essence of something so tiny and taking that image to a size many hundreds of times larger can be both frustrating and exhilarating.

Members of the Wichita Area Camera Club take great care with their subjects, working to bring focus and deliberation to their photographs.

Photo of a polydamas butterfly — “Polydamas” by Sondra Barry

This often results in the viewer exploring the photograph in ways unfamiliar to them.

Members of the club meet monthly at Douglas Photographic Imaging on the second Tuesday of the month. Each month’s meeting includes a photography assignment challenge. The mission of the club is to educate its members and offer opportunities for each member to improve their skills. Each member is encouraged to seek out photo competitions, group photo shoots and other activities that will stretch them as photographers.

The public is cordially invited to attend a reception honoring the artists 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 9, 2017, in the Community Room at the Derby Public Library.

Macro photo of a thin slice of strawberry in club soda — “Strawberry Fizz” by Paulette Mattingly

Photographers featured in the show will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their photos and techniques. Call Tami English at 316-788-0760 for more information regarding the exhibit, reception or purchase of photos.

Photographers offer “A View of the Seasons” in library’s High Wall Gallery

“The Deer Hunter” photography by Barney Tul

Local photographers Bill Fales and Barney Tull have put together a series of their photographs that promise to bring smiles and warm hearts. The exhibition, “A View of the Seasons,” is a treat that will be up through the holiday season.

The exhibition includes 13 photographs that will be on display through the first week of January 2017. While both men have exhibited their work at the library on other occasions, their work can also be seen in locations throughout Derby, including the Venue at Madison Avenue Central Park, City Hall, and the Derby Recreation Commission.

More works by Fales, a Derby police officer, can be found on his website, www.coastalplainsimages.com. Tull, who retired from the Army and from Boeing, offers photography classes through the Derby Recreation Center.

“Autumn Waterfall” photography by Bill Fales

Both men can often be spotted at public events in Derby, capturing the highlights and energy of whatever celebration they are attending.

Please stop by the High Wall Gallery when you visit the Derby Public Library and enjoy “A View of the Seasons.” Photo prints are available for sale from both artists, and more information regarding purchase is available by contacting Tami English, Derby Public Library, 788-0760.