FROZEN in time

When Mo Devlin picks up a camera, something magical happens.

Although he is internationally known for his photographs of tropical fish and has been published in numerous magazines, including National Geographic, the former Tamaqua man has also captured ethereal images of flowers, suspended in ice.

He will be featured in a new exhibit at the MacDonald Gallery at Misericordia University, "Morrell Devlin: Photography Frozen Flowers," from Jan. 24 through March 7.

Devlin's passion began back at Tamaqua Area High School, when the school had just introduced a media program. The teacher was George Taylor, a Times News employee and editor of the Bethlehem Press.

"He encouraged me to pursue it further," says Devlin. "This kick-started not only my passion for photography, but also a career path."

Devlin credits his father with furthering his interest as well.

"On a technical level, he introduced me to macrophotography. He used a piece of equipment called a focusing rail. It allows you to focus on very small items while keeping the camera very steady. I was fascinated.

"When you look at something in macro, it often transcends the actual item. Macro is a different world. It can be a bit more challenging at times, but I enjoyed it and stuck with it," says Devlin.

His father showed him something else: Passion.

"He would spend a couple hours standing in front of the tripod taking hundreds of photos. I asked him why he took so many. He told me because the next shot is going to be better. And he had me convinced it would."

After graduating in 1973, Devlin joined the Army where he worked in American Forces Radio and Television.

He was initially assigned to a hospital in Frankfurt, Germany, working with their local military newspaper.

He had a friend who worked in the forensics lab, and when the hospital stopped publishing the newspaper, Devlin "worked some angles" and was assigned to the lab.

"We shot all kinds of stuff: Autopsies one day, an award ceremony the next, and be out in the field photographing military exercises a week later."

Shooting autopsies helped Devlin hone the skills he uses now when capturing the brilliance of a betta fish or the trail of tiny bubbles from an iced posy.

"My boss at the hospital used to drill it in that you had to get details to get the photo right the first time. So attention to detail led to a better knowledge of camera basics. Knowing that, I can use the camera to its full potential. The experience gave me the ability to bring out the true beauty of the ice flower."

In Devlin's photographs, it seems as if he has not only frozen flowers, but time. The process of freezing is evident, from the frosted tips of a rose to the "trailers," lines of oxygen that form as it is squeezed from the petals. There is a fluidity and motion, that belies the fact that the photograph is just a moment in time.

The resulting beauty, however, has a very scientific explanation.

"As water cools from room temperature toward freezing, the molecules in the water will slow down, making the liquid denser. At about 39 degrees, the water is very dense and will continue to squeeze the organic material, causing the oxygen to form along the surface," says Devlin.

"As it continues to head toward freezing, the ice expands, dragging those little bubbles along a path, creating trailers."

Devlin has close to 100 different containers, from an ounce to a gallon, in all shapes and sizes. He has even used ice cube trays, a Chinese food takeout box, and plastic bags. He says the different size and shape of the containers will give different effects.

"I can predict similar results with each, but the plant really makes the difference. Plants like poinsettias, begonias, cactus, and anything with either a lot of water or sap don't freeze clean. When they get 'squeezed,' the impurities are pressed to the surface."

On the other hand, he says daisies, roses, and lilacs, with long sticky stems, freeze well.

"I've also frozen dried flowers, which give an entirely different effect."

Naturally, trying to photograph something that has a potentially short shelf life has its challenges, as does removing the ice-encased flowers from their containers.

"It's no secret what happens to ice if you hit it with warm water," says Devlin. "It will crack. I've sometimes used this as a way of giving the ice more personality, but really, the goal is to get it out clean. I do this by first allowing room temperature to start. Sometimes I will finish up with some tepid water, or even my trusty chef's torch."

Devlin shoots in his garage, which around this time of year is about 40 degrees. Depending on the size of the container, the ice melts in different ways.

"Even as it's thawing, it will continue to reveal opportunities. I shoot from all angles of the ice, turning it over, even putting it on edge. I never lose. In fact, I gain more time. My freezer contains a couple dozen pieces that I liked and take out occasionally to selectively melt for more photos."

When he's done with a piece, he pretty much "breaks the mold."

"I take them outside and smash them on the ground," Devlin says. "Sometimes I examine the broken pieces for any missed opportunity until I let them melt away."

While Devlin's frozen flowers are nothing short of exquisite, he is better known for photographs of tropical fish, and has taken thousands of photos over the past 30 years.

"Both of my passions revolve around water," Devlin says. "Water for fish; ice for my flowers."

Devlin currently lives in Dallas with his wife, Lisa. He has three children and five grandchildren.

The first of seven children, Devlin still has family in the area, including his mother, Mary Schock, who lives in Tuscarora.

"My mom is 83 and amazing. She still loves bragging about her kids. I asked her one time if she thought my photos would make me famous. I was joking. She was not. She said, 'Of course they will. You're my son.'"

IF YOU GO:

The Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia will also present the works of Joan Miró in the exhibit "Fantastic Universe: Fusing Fantasy and Reality."

An opening reception for both exhibits will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 24. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Misericordia University is located at 301 Lake St. in Dallas.

For directions or for more information, visit www.misericordia.edu/art.

To see more of Devlin's work with tropical fish, go to www.aquamojo.com.

In addition to the exhibit at Misericordia, which will feature 17 images, all of which will be for sale, you can see more of Devlin's frozen flowers at http://modevlin.zenfolio.com/.