Thorold photographer brings natural style to Rose City’s art wall

Barry Smith finds beauty everywhere he goes.

The Thorold man, who was born in Scotland and raised in Niagara, has a knack for capturing unique images with his camera lens whether it’s on a trip somewhere, or in his own backyard.

“I always look for things that are unique—something that’s never been seen before,” Smith said.

One such example is a photograph he snapped of a tree trunk filled with hundreds of nails. It was something he had never seen before.

“I was driving and stopped at a red light when I noticed it,” Smith explained, and pulled off to the side of the road.

Another example is a photograph he took when he saw a rubber band lying on the ground in a parking lot.

“Being a music guy, I had to take a picture because the rubber band was in the shape of a treble clef.”

Smith captures a variety of images—everything from landscapes to architecture, some nature shots and things he finds in unusual spaces across Niagara. He prints his images on canvas, which makes them appear more like a painting rather than a photograph.

He only prints about 10 copies of each image, making his work limited.

“So when you buy a photograph, you’re getting a Barry Smith photo that’s unique,” he said, and added that if art enthusiasts are looking for something specific, Smith is happy to help them capture images they are looking for.

Photography lovers can check out his work on display in the Rose City this month. Smith is the latest artist to be featured at the Welland Wall of Art at Welland Civic Square.

With no formal training, Smith picked up all his skills through a lot of trial and error.

When asked to describe his style, Smith said it’s simple.

“I love natural lighting. The majority of my photos are outside and I love to use the natural light that’s there,” he said.

Smith loves selling his work, and said he appreciates when people who purchase his work send him pictures of his work hanging in their new homes.

“I like to see pictures of my work hanging in peoples’ homes and the artwork and other things that hang around it,” he said.

Smith is a member of the St. Catharines Art Association, Niagara Artists Centre and Hamilton Arts Council. He won a Reader’s Choice Award last year and is a contributing photographer to Reveal Magazine with two covers to show for it.

For more information about Smith’s work visit www.barrysmithphotography.ca.