Ladders and Windows

• Photographer
  Gary Cotton
• Photo Date
  2021

This is a digital photo manipulation of portions of an adobe dwelling in the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico, in the Southwestern United States. The Acoma people are descendants of the original indigenous people of the American Southwest, who settled here during the 13th century. Their dwellings are primitive in many ways with no electricity or running water. They are small buildings even though two stories high, with outdoor ladders as the only way for them to access the upper floor. I wanted to show the juxtaposition of the ladders and the windows and that is the view presented here.

• Biography
  My professional background is in university administration. I am an amateur photographer whose interests are primarily in digital abstract and experimental photography. I also enjoy more traditional travel-related photography focused mainly in the areas of architecture, nature and landscapes. Some of my early photography accompanied the pages of an online literary magazine. I am also the author of two published mystery novels, one for which I designed the cover art.
• Awards
  RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:: In August of 2023, I received three awards for my entries to the Prix De La Photographie Paris (Px3): two Honorable Mentions (1) AI-Generated Images; and (3) a Bronze Award for Third Place in the Special Effects category - Abstract Manhattan NY Cityscape Also in August of 2023, two of my photos entered in the International Photography Awards contest were named "Official Selections" for the final round of jury voting In September of 2023, I received an Honorable Mention award from the International Photography Awards for my Architecture - Historic category entry. In October 2023, I received a certificate for Artistic Excellence for my entries to the Art Room Gallery’s “Waters” Exhibition. In December of 2023, I received a certificate for art achievement in the Art Room Gallery's "Still Life" exhibition. In December of 2023, I won three awards at the Budapest International Photo Awards (BIFA). These included a Bronze Award for winning the sub-category of Architecture-Industrial with my series on Shipping Crane as Abstract Art. I also received two Honorable Mention awards at BIFA for my photos in the AI-generated images category. PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I was named a finalist in the Abstract and Experimental Categories at the Siena Creative Photography Awards, May, 2022. I was awarded Special Recognition for Artistic Achievement by the Blue Blood Art Gallery in Prague, September, 2022. In November of 2022, I received Honorable Mentions at the Budapest International Foto Awards (Bifa) in Architecture and Fine Art. In December of 2022, my Back Street Venice photo was chosen by the International World Photography Awards as a winner in Art Photography. In March of 2023, I was named a Semi-finalist in the 14th Annual TASTE Photography Awards, Commercial category. In addition, I have frequently exhibited photos in online galleries including: Art Room Gallery, Artist Space Gallery, and the Grey Cube Gallery.