More than 125 people, including Gov. John deJongh Jr., flocked to the Grand Opening of F- Stop Gallery, the new home of national award-winning photographer Steve Rockstein, who previewed new work and announced plans for fall photography classes.
“Opening F-Stop Gallery in Tillett Gardens is great step for me personally… and hopefully a great leap forward for the entire community of photographers on St. Thomas,” he said. “Now I can expand my teaching and broaden my reach.”
Classes for beginners and intermediate photographers will begin Oct. 11, cost $250 and run for 10-weeks.
“The beginners’ class is designed to help you understand your camera and teach you the basics needed to begin taking great pictures,” Rockstein said. “And the intermediate class is for photographers who have a good working knowledge of the craft but want to have more control over their results.”
“The class is open to everyone from beginner to pro,” he said, “the only requirements are a DSLR camera and a love of photography.”
In addition to some of his well-known work, Rockstein previewed imagery from his current project, “Tattooed Virgins,” the F-Stop Gallery opening last week.
“The Tattoo Project, which consists of intimate portraits of heavily-inked couples, is very exciting… the goal being to reveal something about the relationship that perhaps the couple themselves aren’t even aware of..”
The completed project will hang at F-Stop in March 2012. Other planned exhibits include the early work of Fritz Henle (Nov. 2012) and a student group show in June.
The National Endowment for the Arts, The VI Council on the Arts, The National Association of News Photographers, The Society of News Designers and The International Center of Photography have all honored Rockstein’s work, which has been published and exhibited worldwide.
For more information on photo classes and F-Stop Gallery, e-mail Rockstein at steve@photousvi.com or call 626-0666.
