By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The colors of Harry Trescher's flowers and scenes seem too brillant – they are vivid red, blue and purple.
A collection of Trescher's photography will be displayed in the Clark Gallery at Fernwood Nature Center in Niles, beginning Sunday and running through May 29. A reception for Spectrum: A Celebration of Color, will be held Sunday in the Clark Gallery from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
The camera became Trescher's tool for his art, ever since he learned to develop x-rays in Virginia many years ago.
"I got the bug," he said, getting into photography through the "back door policy" after working at an Army hospital and experimenting with developing and printing.
He continues to develop his film and make his own prints, although he has come a long way since he learned the crude process. His camera also, is no longer a 616 Ansco.
He always carries a little Olympus with him, but switched from Minolta to Canon for the majority of his work.
As to all those using their cell phone to take pictures, he wouldn't really compare with his work.
"A photo goes further than a click, to be an eye-pleasing piece of art work," he said.
Photography courses, including learning composition and photo retouching, have been scattered at times during his life, beginning with his taking advantage of the G.I. Bill. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1947.
Enlisting in the Navy Reserves in 1949, Trescher met his wife Evelyn "Evie" a week later and they married in 1950, when he was activated to duty for the Korean War and served as a naval photographer.
While back in his hometown of Chicago, he took a position selling vaccuumn cleaners.
He saw an ad looking for a photographer for the Niles Daily Star, which brought him to Michigan.
The couple had two children at the time and they were glad to get out of the city. They moved to Buchanan in 1953, eventually building a home in Niles.
Back then, photos weren't e-mail to the paper. Film needed to be developed and images were burned on a plastic plate.
Twins came next, but unfortunately Evie developed a kidney disease which would affect her until her death in September of 2003.
Leaving the Star after a few years, Trescher went across the street to becoming an Allstate insurance agent for 32 years, retiring in 1988.
"My daughter is a better photographer than I am. Her work has hung at Epcot. She has won all the awards she can and is now used as a judge," he said.
While the father concentrates on nature and scenes when he travels, the daughter has people as her subjects. Karen (Ron) Rubin, is a professional photographer in Denver, Colo.
They are the parents of two of Trescher's five grandchildren.
Another daughter, Gail (Terry) Lovelady has two sons and live in Buchanan. Michele and Rick Marcinek, have a daughter and lives in Paw Paw. The other twin, Michael and his wife Betsy, live in St. Joseph.
His work now spills out of the dark room into what was once a bedroom and into closets. He does the majority of his own printing.
Should some of his framed work sell at the Fernwood show, maybe some space will be reclaimed.
Previously, Trescher's photos have been on display at the Niles Library, Dowagiac Art Association Gallery and at the Riverfront Cafe.
"It's a lot of work. I don't do my own framing," he added. "It's enough to do processing. There is a certain amount of artistic elements, taking out areas and also the composition."
"His unique perspective, artistic eye, love of nature, and historical connection with Southwest Lower Michigan is evident in his stunning images. Additionally, his travels have expanded his portfolio to include national and international subjects," is how Fernwood is advertising the show.
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles.