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Duane Cramer: Elegant Tour Travels
by: Herndon L. Davis
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He went from corporate to charismatic with the click of a lens and then took a flying leap off the bridge of indecision when he left his job to pursue his
passion of photography. Today he travels the world capturing visions of beauty, pain, as well as history. His name is Duane Cramer, a highly recognized
and extremely civic minded individual whose work is currently touring the country.
The exhibition is appropriately titled the Elegant Tour as it contains carefully selected photographic pieces which engage the human eye in an array of visual
styles, methods and techniques which each uniquely exude, radiate, and eventually define the human understanding of elegance. Cramer especially believes
in articulating the beauty of human diversity and in turn conveys many appreciative messages through his images.
He reveals that “there are so many messages that need to be conveyed and that I want to communicate. I know that I can’t do it all -- unfortunately. I do
like to show the incredible diversity and beauty of human kind in its varied forms – that is probably the most intrinsic and essential aspect of my body of
work. As it relates to nudes - I believe that the human body in all different shapes, sizes and colors is beautiful and should be honored whether young or
old.”
In fact his photographs are often noted for their simplicity, style, and character as each image uncovers a unique aspect of the subject that is far beyond
what one might initially expect. Hailing from a long line of pianists, fine art painters, and actors, creativity rushes through his veins. In fact his introduction
into the arts came at an early age by a wise mentor.

“My grandfather was the one who got me specifically
fascinated by photography. He had an extensive collection
of family photographs dating back to the 1800's which I
now have in my possession. I am still mesmerized by them
and have invested a great deal of time restoring and
reproducing them” he explains.
Later on Duane’s father bought him a 35 millimeter camera
when he was a teenager; instantly he became the shutterbug
of the family. Today Cramer has photographed an array of
politicians, models, celebrities and common folk alike while
having his work published both domestically and abroad.
“I have spent the past thirty years developing my style and
look… I also believe that my art needs to evolve – like life
itself. I want to stay open to new ideas and to new
directions my work wants me to take. Experimenting with
different types of film and shooting in varied settings is part
of that process and I am curious to see where it takes me
next.”
Duane’s work has also allowed him the unique opportunity
to visit a wide array of locales as he fondly remembers a
sentimental trip to Kenya where he visited the Maasai village.
He recalls that “one arresting image that I captured is of 4
generations of women from the same family together! To
view a Great Grandmother with her daughter and their
daughters was a moving and emotional experience.
I was privileged to meet these incredible people. Because of
this I feel it is my obligation to share these with others who
might never have the experience to go to Africa firsthand. I
am in the process of printing some of those photographs
now and sorting through how best to showcase them” he
passionately explains.
So what exactly motivates Duane’s photography? He shares
that a key motivator and inspiration of his work lies in the
realization that his work potentially could last forever,
adding that “photographs can educate, entertain and evoke
all kinds of visceral responses from those that view the
images. Through my lens I can capture important moments
and share them with others.”
Duane Cramer’s Photography has appeared in publications internationally including Harper's Bazaar, Oggi (Italy), Il Donna (Italy), (not only) Blue (Australia), the Advocate. His subject matter extends from portraiture and fashion to architecture and journalism. Cramer has photographed African American luminaries diverse as Jessye Norman, Toni Morrison, Bill T. Jones, Angela Bassett and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
Political figures include Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Ron Dellums, Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen, and San Francisco Mayor’s Willie L. Brown and Gavin Newsom. Other notable personalities captured by Cramer’s lens include Helena Christiansen, Brooke Shields, and Maria Grazia Cucinotta (Il Postino).
Notable Gay and Lesbian personalities photographed include RuPaul, Reichen, Ari Gold, Billy Porter, Michelle Wolff, Keith Boykin and the cast members of the new LOGO TV Series Noah’s Arc. He is particularly noted for his male nudes – images at once sensitive, thoughtful and erotic. Galleries of Cramer’s works have been published in nearly 20 issues of (not only) Blue Magazine since 2000.
Profiles on Cramer have been published in The Advocate, ARISE Magazine, (not only) Blue (Australia), Maenner Aktuel (Germany), Venus Magazine, The Bay Area Reporter, The Spectrum Newspaper, The Bay Times Newspaper, The San Francisco Chronicle (2001 and 2005), The San Francisco Examiner (2000), Frontiers Newsmagazine (2001, 2002, 2003), XY Magazine, HX New York, OUT Magazine (Dec 2003 and Dec 2005) and Gloss Magazine, GUS (Europe). Cramer appeared in a VH1 Documentary ‘Totally Gayer’ (March of 2004) and the German TV show Wahre Liebe.
Duane resides in San Francisco. When he is not working he is an active member of the community. Cramer currently serves as the Vice President of Frameline (producers of the Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival in San Francisco). Past Board of Director member affiliations include the San Francisco GLBT Community Center, The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, and for the Millennium March on Washington which he served as Co-chair. He is an active volunteer with the Black AIDS Institute. Duane’s father Joe J. Cramer, Jr. PhD died of AIDS related complications in 1986.
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ELEGANT is a traveling USA exhibition of Duane Cramer’s photographic work which includes
black and white images of male and female nudes, architectural elements from around the globe
and some recognizable international personalities. All of the photographs displayed are limited
edition 16”X20” silver gelatin prints that have been selenium toned. All prints are signed verso in
pencil by Duane and most pieces are available for purchase.
The tour begins this weekend!!!

ELEGANT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Hotel Allegro Chicago
July 13-16, 2006
171 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL
Gallery Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
Previews: Thursday, July 13, 2006 / 5:00 – 8:
00 p.m.
Opening Night Party: Friday, July 14, 2006 / 6:
00 – 9:00 p.m.
Event website: www.duanecramer.com , www.
allegrochicago.com
ELEGANT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Hotel Solamar San Diego
July 27 th - 31 st , 2006
435 6 th Avenue
San Diego, CA
Gallery Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
Previews: Thursday, July 27, 2006 / 5:00 – 8:
00 p.m.
Opening Night Party: Friday, July 28, 2006 / 6:
00 – 10:00 p.m.
Event website: www.duanecramer.com, www.
hotelsolamar.com
ELEGANT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Hotel Monaco Seattle
August 31 st - September 3 rd , 2006
1101 4 th Avenue
Seattle, WA
Gallery Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Previews: Thursday, August 31, 2006 / 5:00 –
8:00 p.m.
Opening Night Party: Friday, September 1,
2006 / 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Event website: www.duanecramer.com, http:
//www.monaco-seattle.com/
San Francisco, CA – TBD
Washington, D.C. - TBD
Miami, FL - TBD

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Copyrighted 2006
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be
reached directly at http://herndondavis.com
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