Denver photographer John Bonath is a technical whiz, as the inclusion of his works in an array of national photography magazines makes clear.
With elaborately staged setups and intricate digital manipulations, the former Colorado State University professor likes to leave viewers asking: How did he do that?
A 14-year survey of Bonath’s variously elegant, exotic and unsettling images are on view through April 17 at the Camera Obscura Gallery, 1309 Bannock St.
The photos range from botanical still lifes with erotic overtones (“Blond Bush”) to complex portraits of mud- covered subjects (“The Whisper”) to multipanel images of nesting babies (“The River of Chocolate”) that possess a sci-fi creepiness.
As intriguing as many of Bonath’s images undoubtedly are, their pristine hermeticism and cool proficiency can seem soulless and emotionally elusive. Not helping matters is the exhibition’s jumbled, overcrowded installation.
Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Free. 303-623-4059 or cameraobscuragallery . Kyle MacMillan
