Greg Nickey is able to capture moments with his camera in a way he never could in any other medium.
Nickey, a 19-year-old from Lutherville, has cerebral palsy, which causes developmental delays and impairs his fine motor dexterity. Yet, he is able to hold the camera still without using a tripod to compose his shots.
“At first I thought it was just luck when he took fabulous pictures, but then I saw he has a different idea of what to address and takes an angle other people wouldn’t think of,” said Fran Nickey, Greg?s mother. “He?ll point his camera up to the sky where others would shoot at ground level.”
More than 50 framed photos by Nickey premiere today at Greeting and Readings in Hunt Valley. The exhibit focuses on nature?s offerings and Baltimore landmarks.
Nickey enjoys shooting in and around Baltimore because he likes “meeting people” and “sharing his art.” “I feel proud,” Nickey said about the moment when he sees the final product. One of his favorite photos is “Smiley,” a picture of a dolphin at the Baltimore Aquarium.
When you look at Nickey?s work, “you see something each time that makes it different,” said Jackie Frent, Transition Instructor at The Harbour School in Owings Mills, where Greg attends. A tiny bee tucked into a daisy is one of “the little things” that he is able to capture.
Nickey?s use of vibrant colors also distinguishes his work, said Frent. In a photo of multicolored gourds, for example, “the way the sun is hitting the bright purples, blues, yellows and oranges ? it?s just gorgeous.” Although it’s difficult for Nickey to absorb certain academic and life skills, “he excelled in photography on his own,” she said. “He can just pick up a camera and be able to take beautiful photos without supervision or someone telling him what to do.”
Photography comes easy to Nickey, but signing his photos is difficult due to cerebral palsy?s affect on his hand muscles. He has 200 publishable prints and three photography awards.
Photos by greg n. at Greetings and Readings
Hunt Valley Towne Centre, 118-AA Shawnee Road, Hunt Valley
» When: Open House ? Saturday, Noon to 4 p.m.
» Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
» Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
» Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
» Cost: Free
More information:
www.greetingsandreadings.com
