Her image is in photography

DINGMAN — The acrid odor of darkroom chemicals is not part of photographer Leah Conti’s world any more. Conti went from a film camera to using a digital camera to capture her artistic images. As she got a little older and life began to slow down, she thought it would be a good time to find a hobby. Her grandmother had left her some albums filled with photos of family and friends and this inspired her to learn about photography. Conti has been taking photographs for more than 10 years. She graduated from the New York Institute of Photography and has sinced earned additional photographic credits at Sussex Community College. “I began to buy darkroom equipment when I graduated but when I discovered digital, I changed my direction,” said Conti. When asked what she likes to photograph, she revealed, “Windows and doors as well as people. I don’t know why but people like to buy photos of these things.” Like most of us, Conti keeps photo albums. She showed the Courier several filled with her images. Her prints are on display in the Golden Fish Gallery on Broad Street in Milford where she has been selling for a few years. E-bay is another place where she markets her work. Conti has been featured in Connections magazine, the Pocono Record, and has won “The Catch A Bear” Photo Contest in 2005 and 2007 at the Black Bear Film Festival in Milford. She also sells Black Bear memorabilia items such as bear mugs, bear pins, bear magnets, and bear clocks. “I am a hobbyist with a little bit of selling thrown in,” Conti responded when asked to describe herself in the world of photography. Her artistic images are interesting and well thought out, which places her a good distance above a “hobbyist.” She went on to say, “My inventory of photographs grows but I’ll still have to keep my day job at least for a while.” Conti has several of her favorite framed photographs hung on the walls around her home. She also had a few boxes of matted photographs which she sells at craft fairs and other venues. “My perfect dream would be to become a National Geographic photographer, travel the world taking photographs and getting paid for it,” she mused as she looked in the air with a dreamy expression on her face. Until she reaches that level of notoriety, those who would like to contact Conti may call the Golden Fish Gallery in Milford at 296-0413; messags will be forwarded to her.