YOUNGSVILLE, NY — Domesticities will hold the opening of a new show, “Two Friends and their Photographs” on Saturday, April 12. Nyssa Calkin and Brad Walrod are friends who share a passion for photography, using the lens to explore subjects they care deeply about.

Calkin received her first 35mm SLR just as film began to ebb, and was delighted to be able to “experience the joy of the darkroom.” While working in animal care and dog training, she trained her photographer’s eye to the mannerisms of canines and equines. Her photographs honed her skills while helping to find the animals new homes. Pet photography was a logical outcome.

Walrod says that his two main goals are to stay out of the way while capturing the beauty of nature and to hold the camera steady almost half the time. While culling photos for this show, he saw natural pairings emerge: some of complementary images, some with juxtapositions to explore. He believes that it’s probably a good thing that more square frames and mattes aren’t readily available, otherwise all his photos would be shown that way. He says he’s not at all interested in exploring what that says about him.

Meet both photographers at the opening reception from 2 to 5 p.m. at Domesticities, 4055 State Route 52. For more information call 845/482-3333 or visit www.thecuttinggarden.org/Events.html. To see more of Calkin’s work, visit www.diamondcutimages.com.