Pennsylvania artists show the latest innovations, styles and trends in contemporary photography in the first installment of the Pennsylvania Photography Biennial at the Silver Eye Center for Photography, South Side.

The biennial's inaugural exhibition, "Keystone.1," features the work of 16 artists who are pushing the medium's boundaries and challenging perspectives. The 16 pieces vary in style -- ranging from traditional photographic genres to abstract, process-oriented work -- as much as it does in subject, touching on political, scientific, race, gender and generational issues.

"This exhibition, on a small scale, shows the wide-ranging plurality of approaches artists have," executive director Ellen Fleurov said. "There is no one way of working with photography or photographic imagery anymore."

Ms. Fleurov chose the exhibit's photographers, all currently working and living in the Keystone State, based on recommendations from more than 40 art and photography professionals in Pennsylvania. She reviewed the nominees and made studio visits before selecting the 16 artists she believed were producing the most innovative and exceptional work.

The biennial's artists range in age from their late 20s to their early 70s.

"From rising photographers whose vision will shape the future of the creative landscape to internationally known figures such as William Larson and Lydia Panas, this exhibition attests to the extraordinary talent living and working across our state," Ms. Fleurov said.

There's somewhat of a geographical imbalance in the artists selected for "Keystone.1." Of the 16 photographers, 12 are from either Philadelphia or an eastern Pennsylvania suburb. Four are from Pittsburgh. Ms. Fleurov, who is originally from Philadelphia, said this reflects Philadelphia's larger pool of accomplished photographers.

"There is great photographic talent in Pittsburgh, and the four artists chosen from here represent some of the very best artists in this area -- not just photographers. But I think it's fair to say that Philadelphia has a much larger photographic community," she said.

Ms. Fleurov also noted that Philadelphia has a long history of universities with strong photography departments whereas Pittsburgh is still without a major BFA program.

Silver Eye decided to launch the Pennsylvania Photography Biennial to create an ongoing exhibition that showcases talent in the state, something she said has never been done in Pittsburgh before.

"I thought this was something that was very important to do," Ms. Fleurov said.

One artist featured in "Keystone.1" is Donald Camp, an accomplished photographer from Meadville who uses casein, a protein found in mammalian milk, and earth pigments to produce his portraiture representations. His monoprint, "Dance/Brenda and Helmut Gottschild (from Dust Shaped Heart series)" (2006), is a dark and striking visual of two men's faces. The photographer brushed and scrubbed his work with the 19th-century materials to reveal certain areas and obscure others.

"You can really feel the hand of this artist," Ms. Fleurov said.

Contrasting Mr. Camp's work in the exhibit is that of Philadelphia photographer Sarah Stolfa's "Glendale TX," a crisp image of a rancher by a fire. Ms. Stolfa's documentary work focuses on human emotions and relationships in sharp, vibrant color that creates feelings of edginess and tension.

"It just goes to show you the incredible array of materials used and approaches of the artists," Ms. Fleurov said.

Another notable photographer from Philadelphia is Edward McHugh. Pittsburgh-area photographers are Lori Hepner, Dylan Vitone, Robert Raczka and Dennis Marsico.

"All of these photographers are highly sophisticated and totally engaged with the issues, the trends and the ideas at work with contemporary photography and contemporary art," Silver Eye's executive director said.

First Published: July 27, 2011, 8:00 a.m.