When the Enquirer introduced readers last year to “visionary” Stuart Fabe, it was to celebrate his extraordinary camera and optical device collection. During the interview, which ran Aug. 26, 2000, he mentioned he also enjoyed taking pictures. By Aug. 26, 2001, he had already developed his first gallery exhibit and is planning a second.

        “When you did the initial article,” Mr. Fabe says, “it set off a whole new phase to my life.”

Stuart Fabe shows off his collection of antique cameras. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Although he was on vacation when the story ran, he returned to find a message on his voice mail from RoHo Photo Gallery owner Michael Skaggs.

        “When I read the story, I wanted to feature some of the cameras in an exhibit here,” Mr. Skaggs says.

        The two men met and discussed the exhibit, but Mr. Skaggs was more impressed by some of the framed photographs displayed in Mr. Fabe's home. As soon as Mr. Fabe admitted he had taken the pictures, the proposed exhibit changed from cameras to an exhibit featuring more than 30 images of Cincinnati and several American landscapes.

        The initial exhibit last November was very successful, and an open-shutter star was born. “Doing my first show galvanized my real interest in being a serious photographer,” Mr. Fabe says. “I've been doing a tremendous amount of work since then,” including a portrait series of notable Cincinnatians.

        The exhibit, called The Three Eyes: Individuals/Ireland/Infrared, opens Nov. 30. It features dramatic scenes from Ireland and black and white portraits of Ed and Carol Rigaud, Erich Kunzel, Cathryn Hilker, Rabbi Lewis Kamrass and Mr. Fabe's famous artist dad, Robert.

        Also in the show are more pieces from his camera collection, including a French wetplate-era camera with a Darlot brass lens, circa 1870.

        “It's all been transformational for me,” Mr. Fabe says. “And it all started from that initial article. It helped give me the self-confidence to present my art in a serious way. I plan to continue taking pictures for the rest of my life.”

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