It’s all about the light

There are photographers who are technicians at heart - focusing their lenses by minuscule increments, fidgeting endlessly with dials and lighting, investing hour upon hour in the darkroom or in front of the computer, tinkering, tinkering, tinkering.

Then there are the creative souls, the ones who love photography for its ability to push artistic boundaries and convey emotion and a refined aesthetic.

It isn't hard to figure out which camp Neil Tepper falls in.

"Photography was born to me when I was a college student at sea," he says. "I was compelled to share what I saw visually. I never liked the darkroom. I just love to shoot."

After more than 35 years behind the lens, Tepper sees photography as a means to convey the experience of light.

"It makes me emotional to think of light," he says with a waver in his voice. "It almost doesn't matter what the subject is. Light is it."

Tepper's works illustrate his perspective. The subjects of his photographs are incidental, sometimes barely decipherable; rather, it's the play of light that characterizes the shots.

Given the emphasis of his photography, Hawaii holds a special allure for Tepper, who lived here for a decade before moving to Atlanta for a stint as creative director at Coca-Cola.

"The quality of light is so amazing there. The clarity and humidity of the air creates total saturation. It's irresistible to photograph in Hawaii," he says.

Tepper left Coca-Cola to work in television in Hollywood, then moved back to assist with the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Today, he teaches, writes and gives lectures about accessing creativity.

But no matter where he's been in the 20 years since he left Hawaii, Tepper's always maintained a connection with the islands. He visits several times a year and house-sits whenever there's opportunity.

"There is not one day that goes by that I don't think about Hawaii," he says. "My heart is in Hawaii."

Happily, Tepper is bustling in Atlanta to sell his house, and come summer, he'll finally become a Hawaii resident again.

But fans of his work won't have to wait until then. The Balcony Gallery is showing Tepper's photography through May 7 in "Water.Leaves.Stone.Sky." Located at 442-A Uluniu St. in Kailua, the gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. Call 263-4434 or e-mail thebalconygallery@yahoo.com.