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The world through Hatton's lens
Dr. Michael Hatton started seriously shooting pictures 40 years ago.
Humber College’s VP Academic has been steadily building his collection since the ’70s.
Hatton has seen the equipment – technology – change. He once shot with a Novoflex 400 lens. “It’s unusual in that it’s got a pistol-grip focus,” as opposed to a ring, he remarked on the phone.
He used to shoot on Kodochrome slide (ASA 25) film, but now he shoots digital. His camera is a Nikon D70.
“Digital photography has changed everything,” said Hatton.
Visitors to the University of Guelph-Humber Art Gallery will see how his work has changed – technically and thematically – over four decades in Faces & Spaces – Images by Michael Hatton.
The opening reception is tomorrow, Wednesday January 18, from 5 to 9pm. The show runs until February 3rd.
Hatton started photographing wildlife – “often from a canoe,” he said – and moved on to include landscapes and people from local and global travels.
Like the medium itself, travel is a constant in Hatton’s life. But, he jokes, “Travel is anything outside of Toronto.”
There are images from southern Ontario, Newfoundland and Tibet. A group of University of Guelph-Humber Business students helped Hatton shape the show as part of their Event Management II class.
Ashling Boyd, Stephanie Carbone, Elizabeth Henry, Kathleen O'Hearn and Katelyn Swarbreck are all fourth-year Business (marketing) students.
Their first meeting with Hatton was on December 13th, the day after exams. They got their assignment from Prof. John Riccio as the Event Management I class wound up.
“Students are responsible for making all of the decisions with the project,” explained Riccio by email. “I provide very little guidance beyond the requirements of the project.”
The students worked on every facet of the exhibition: curating, catering, invitations and installation.
“It’s been really hands-on,” said Ashling Boyd, prior to meeting the installer who’d be hanging the show.
But part of being hands-on, according to Boyd, is being hands off.
“He’s done this before,” said the student of Hatton, who has exhibited at the University of Guelph-Humber.
The students and the artist discussed – sometimes debated – points, such as which selections would go in the show.
As for Hatton, he sees this “eclectic” show as an ending. Having already printed some of his work on canvas, he’s been experimenting with a mixture of oil paint with photographs.
Read about an exhibition organized by Guelph-Humber students last fall. And find out more about the university's Business program.
Sean Flinn, Web Communications Specialist, 416-798-1331, ext. 6299, sean.flinn@guelphhumber.ca