The work of local photographer and Arlington resident Ken Brotherton is on display on the second floor at Central Library for the month of August. 

How did Ken start taking photos?

I am a long time resident of Arlington, VA, whose passion for photography started in 1981. While walking down a hallway in my college dorm, I passed a room where I heard two people talking, and smelled an odd odor wafting under door. For some reason, I knocked on the door, curious to know what was on the other side. When the door opened, I got a full breath of photographic chemicals, and met two students who’d been allowed to set up a small darkroom in an unused janitor’s closet. They invited me in to see what they were doing.

Twenty-nine years later, the excitement of my first experience with photography is still there. However, coming from a film generation, my adaptation to digital photography has been slow and gradual.

Botherton’s photo ‘Merridan Park, DC,’ was awarded the Grand Prize for B&W; photography at last year’s Arlington County Fair. About the series on display, Ken says:

The images shown here have all been shot within the last year and represent my first effort at producing a cohesive series of photographs of Washington, DC landmarks using digital photography. My approach was simple. Keep a camera with me. Be at the right place at the right time, and try to capture the image in the most honest and impactful way I can.

I limit software to basic exposure adjustments and dust removal. For me, the ideal image is straight forward and closest to the truth, or as I like to call it, “the beauty of reality.”

20% of all art sales go to the Friends of the Library. For pricing information, contact the artist. 

Visit our Art Exhibit page to find out more about showing art at the Arlington Public Library.