Introduction

Born and raised in Toronto, Simeon Posen is a landscape and architectural photographer with works spanning over four decades. His studies in architecture and stage design contribute to the unique perspective evident in his black and white photographs – namely, illuminating the intricacies of the parts to express the structure of the whole, whether created by nature or by man.

Posen’s technique, style and composition are also influenced by such photographers as Marie Cosindas, Wynn Bullock and Brett Weston and Ansel Adams with whom he studied in California.

Receiving both federal and provincial grants, Posen has conducted extensive photographic studies of the architecture of France, Austria, Iran and Greece; as well as broadly documenting the Ontario landscape.

Today, Posen continues his exploration of photographic art through blending new and old technology, frequently exhibiting while continuing his professional career in architecture.
Technique

Posen utilizes 8x10 and mid-size negative formats to express the beauty of natural form. He prefers the subtlety of ‘black and white’, maximizing the use of digital technology interwoven with more traditional methods. He uses ‘Pyro’ for negative development, a formula favoured by Adams and Weston, and continues to print on silver fibre-based papers.

Simeon Posen brings an added dimension of brilliance to his works by carefully selecting the conditions of light and weather for the subject chosen. His exposures can require up to 30 minutes. This study and patience bring an intensity yet subtlety to his nature studies.


Chronological Biography

May 2007 Photographic exhibitions at Gallery Arcturus and ACA Gallery for the month of Toronto's Contact photo exhibition event
May 2006 Photographic exhibition at Gallery Arcturus for the month of Toronto's Contact photo exhibition event
May 2004 Photography of Architecture in Vienna
July 2003 Photography of Landscape on Vancouver Island
June 2002 Photographic exhibition at the Liss Gallery
June 2002 Photography of Landscape on Grand Manan Island New Brunswick
May 2002 Photographic exhibition at Gallery Arcturus for the month of Toronto's Contact photo exhibition event
July 2000 Photographs accepted for Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition - City Hall
June 2000 Solo photographic exhibition in Port Dover Ont. through the Lynwood Arts Centre (Simcoe Ont.)
April 2000 Photographic Award for “Ideas and Presentation” presented by the Ontario Association of Architects
September 1999 Represented by the Tatar Alexander Gallery
June 1999 Commenced developing B&W negatives in Pyro
December 1997 Photographic exhibition at the Jane Corkin Gallery
November 1996 Solo photographic exhibition at the Gallery Arcturus
November 1995 Solo photographic exhibition at the Aurora Public Library
April 1995 Received Ontario Arts Council Grant for exhibition assistance
January 1994 Commenced enlarging 8" X 10" negatives to 16" X 20" prints
May 1993 The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography acquires five photographs for their collection
June 1992 Instructed a workshop on landscape photography for Toronto Image Works
1974 to Present Photography of landscape and architecture in Southern Ontario
January 1991 Commenced enlarging 8" X 10" negatives to 11" X 14" prints
September 1989 Represented by the Jane Corkin Gallery, Toronto
January 1986 Stage Design - "Caesar" at the Toronto Workshop Productions
November 1985 Stage Design - "Caucasian Chalk Circle" at Adelaide Court Theatre, Toronto
October 1984 Solo photographic exhibition at Erindale College, Mississauga
April 1983 Part of a four photographer exhibition at the Magic Image Gallery, Pickering Village
November 1981 Part of five photographer exhibition at the Burton Gallery, Toronto
November 1979 Stage Design - "Can You See Me Yet?" at Alumnae theatre, Toronto
October 1979 Part of two photographer exhibition at ACT Gallery, Toronto
August 1977 Solo photographic exhibition at the Robertson Gallery, Ottawa
July 1977 Exhibited in “Exposure” at the AGO
March 1977 One man photographic exhibition at Gallery Scollard, Toronto
February 1976 Received Canada Council Grant for travel and photography of Architecture in Iran and Greece
December 1975 Guest Lecturer at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute on Architectural Photography
June 1975 Commenced working with an 8" X 10" camera and negatives
June 1975 Graduated with a B.Arch. from Carleton University
June 1974 Received Canada Council Grant for travel and photography of Architecture in France and Spain
June 1974 Received Teron Scholarship for highest grade point average at the School of Architecture
September 1973 Entered Carleton University School of Architecture Fourth Level
January 1972 Attended a winter workshop of Ansel Adams in Yosemite California - Receiving instruction from Ansel Adams, Marie Cosindas, Wynn Bullock and Brett Weston
March 1970
to 1973		 Attended Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Wisconsin and Arizona
June 1966
to 1969		 Worked in small theatrical productions in Toronto, sets, lighting etc

September 1965
to February 1966		 Attended the National Theatre School in Montreal, Stage Design Department

September 1963
to 1965		 Attended University of Toronto School of Architecture - Completed 2 years