Arts & Humanities
HAL GOULD
Hal Gould is a tireless champion for the art of photography. In the mid 1960’s when photographs were not valued as collectibles, he launched a campaign to elevate the medium of photography to a fine art. When he was unable to find a sustainable venue to present photography, Hal opened the Colorado Photographic Arts Center and presented seminal exhibitions by Matthew Brady, Paul Strand, Edward Weston and Phillippe Halsman.
In 1979, Hal founded the Camera Obscura Gallery at the corner of 13th and Bannock Streets in Denver. As the Gallery’s owner and curator, he has brought the works of internationally recognized photographers to Denver for more than 30 years. He has presented such icons of photography as Ansel Adams, Berenice Abbot, Annie Leibovitz, and Sebastiao Salgado. Today the Camera Obscura Gallery represents one of the finest collection of Fine Art Photography between the East and West coasts, and serves as a forum for viewing and learning by patrons from around the world.
A practicing artist for more than 60 years, Hal attended the Art Institute of Chicago where he first studied portraiture and later became passionate about the more modern medium of photography. Hal’s artistic works include portraits, travel images, landscapes, abstractions, and western scenes. His careful consideration of compositional elements, his attention to the right light and best camera angle, and his skillful darkroom techniques contribute to the beauty of his photographs.
Hal has taught classes and given lectures at University of Colorado, Colorado State University and the University of Texas. He has received the prestigious National Service Award from the Professional Photographers of America Association as well as numerous awards from the Rocky Mountain Professional Photographers Association.
Hal grew up on a ranch in New Mexico and left home at the age of sixteen. He served in the Army with General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. Now in his 90th year, Hal Gould is a resilient man who has withstood the elements. He is a mentor to many, including a following of volunteers who help keep the Gallery vibrant with new shows. While he has held many jobs including railroad-tie repairer, boxer, aviator and portrait painter, it is his pursuit of photography that has defined his life.