Chris Neumer

Chris Neumer has been working in the photography world since 2003. Based in Riverside, Neumer has shot several national magazine covers, worked with Oscar-winning actors like Billy Bob Thornton as well as A-list talents like Shia Labeouf and Charlie Hunnam. He has shot with the winners of America’s Next Top Model, NBA players and Playboy Playmates (with their clothes on!) and, in 2014, Neumer’s work was featured in GQ.

Riverside at 150: A Photographic Journey

Neumer has long been interested in shooting low light photography. The natural progression of his love was this series of 50 images highlighting the energy and spirit of Riverside on its 150th anniversary. Stealing a page from the way painter Edward Hopper highlighted everyday people in his works, Neumer only recruited local residents and workers as subjects to add an extra layer of realness to the collection of photos. The images in the series are all taken at dusk, allowing the shadows of night to mingle with lighted areas to create a sense of mystery and adventure in even the most mundane of scenes.

In his talk, Neumer will be discussing the origins of the project, how hard it is to shoot moving water with a long shutter speed and why if someone jokingly offers to put on stiletto heels and stand on top of her husband for a photo, you always say “yes.”