Coney Island photographs featured in new exhibit

Neil O. Lawner will display his photographs of Coney Island, N.Y., at the Academy of Music in Spotswood. SPOTSWOOD — A new exhibit at the Academy of Music on Main Street features an artist's colorful, whimsical photographs of Coney Island.

The works are that of Neil O. Lawner, a former East Brunswick orthodontist who is now a college professor.

"Coney Island is an American icon," said Melody Blasenheim, director of the music academy. "These photographs will give kids and adults alike an appreciation of this important, nostalgic place in our region."

Lawner, who has been an avid photographer for 30 years, currently serves as associate professor of orthodontics at NYU College of Dentistry. Before his professorship, he maintained a prominent career as an orthodontist on Brunswick Woods Drive.

"Neil is known for his sense of humor and quick wit," said the gallery's curator, Kevan Lunney. "This is evident in his new photographs in color. He brings you up close to the characters, twirling motion and giggles of a day at the amusement park. He used his warmth, humor and natural ability to connect with people to achieve these intimate portraits of carnival workers. The shots were not staged or arranged; they were captured."

For many years, Lawner's photographs were produced with a large wooden field camera, similar to those used by celebrated American photographers like Ansel Adams and EdwardWeston. During those years, his primary subjects were landscape and architecture.

In 2006, Lawner relocated to New York City, where he began embracing digital imaging, and his work has evolved to encompass images of people in their working, or playing, environment.

"I looked for a project that would allow me to photograph people in a fun-filled, energetic place," Lawner said. "Coney Island is a subject that has fascinated photographers for decades now. It has certainly gone through many changes since its heyday as an upscale seaside resort in the early part of the 20th century. However, it remains the destination for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and tourists on a daily basis."

The show will run through Jan. 5. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.