SHAMOKIN - Take talent, mix it with being in the right place at the right time and sprinkle in the ability to see what others won't see, and that's the recipe for a good photographer, like Melissa White.
For an example, consider White's "Latching On," which she discussed at the opening exhibit of "Journey Through Nature" at the Northumberland County Council for the Arts Fine Art Gallery Friday.
Walking onto a patio, she saw a mosquito clinging to a vine and she snapped a photograph. The final result shows a unique design on the insect's wings.
"I love vivid colors and vivid details. I'm always getting in personally," the 44-year-old Kulpmont woman said.
The exhibit features not only 33 pieces by White, but also 35 pieces by her mother, Patricia White, who was unable to attend the opening night.
Patricia's primary subjects are nature and wildlife through photographic images. Melissa demonstrates details of nature through photographic processed and digital art manipulation.
Around the room at the gallery, visitors can see photographs of parrots, dogs, birds and flowers.
White said 80 percent of the photographs come from their garden in Kulpmont, and the rest come from their travels.
"I like finding shadows, I like finding faces, and sometimes there are different shapes. I like stopping nature still," she said.
White graduated from Kutztown University in 1990 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design and works as a professional framer at a craft store.
Gallery director Claude Harrington said every piece is beautiful.
"They're all my favorite. I wish I could buy them all," she said.
The gallery is located inside the Northumberland County Arts Center (the former Shamokin High School) at Eighth and Arch streets.
The exhibit runs through March 18. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.