RONALD WATKINS HANGS FIRST PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT UNA

 FLORENCE, Ala. – University of North Alabama custodian Ronald Watkins, of Rogersville, will present the first public exhibition of his photography in the University Relations House beginning Monday, January 9, 2006, and running through March 3.

Entitled Reflections, the exhibition will feature infrared and black-and-white photographs Watkins has shot around Rogersville and east Lauderdale County. 

Watkins, a graduate of Lauderdale County High School, is a U.S. Air Force security police veteran, having been stationed in California, Alaska and Washington and South Korea.  He joined the UNA staff in 1982.

Even though he had taken a graphic arts course at Allen B. Thornton Area Vocational/Technical Center while in high school, Watkins did not seriously begin shooting photos until he was stationed in California. 

Over the years, Watkins has developed an eye for the beauty of nature and the natural landscape.  His infrared photographs are particularly telling of that ability to see what many take for granted and likely do not notice.  Vegetation and sky look very different from normal. Vegetation comes out bright; clear sky comes out dark; clouds stay light.  Blues, browns and dark green in shadow will appear dark in a final print, while reds, whites and greens in sunlight will appear light. 

Watkins’ Reflections exhibition will be on display for the public weekdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., through March 3, 2006, at the UNA Office of University Relations, 116 E. Irvine Avenue, Florence.

The public is also invited to a reception for Watkins and the opening of the exhibit on Wednesday, January 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the University Relations House.  Campus Map