Business hoping to change observation

Dale and Gail Horn owners of Destiny Photographic Art in Hawthorn Woods

Updated: September 3, 2012 12:47PM

HAWTHORN WOODS — Destiny Photographic Art owners Dale and Gail Horn contend that a photograph of a shoreline captures the actual feeling of the moment in which the picture was taken, whereas a painting provides viewers with an artist’s portrayal of the scene.

A picture has less control, and according to the Hawthorn Woods couple, that’s what makes it beautiful.

“We need to change the culture of how people think,” Dale Horn said. “You can always control what you do when you construct an art piece; but with photography, you have to appreciate what was captured in that particular moment.”

Dale has taken wedding, graduation and special occasion photos professionally for over 25 years; and his business—Dale Horn Photography—is what Gail drew inspiration from last year when birthing the concept for their joint venture: Destiny Photographic Art.

Destiny Photographic Art is different in that it offers vivid images on metal. Printing on metal as opposed to traditional canvas gives their pictures a different kind of color and sharpness that “pops out” at the viewer and looks both contemporary and sophisticated.

“It has more of a texture and vibrance to it, not to mention that that the metal is much more durable than paper.” Gail said.

Their pictures’ subject matter falls into three categories: Urban, nature and beach.

Dale added that the metal brings out a certain clarity in pictures that paper cannot, and that the colors pop more when he enhances the photos’ look in his Photoshop editing program.

Both companies are operated out of the couple’s home’s basement studio in Hawthorn Woods, 42 Park View Lane.

Although Gail had always enjoyed photography, she gave up on the profession when her parents talked her out of pursuing it 28 years ago. She explained that it was destiny when she later met Dale and found out he was a photographer; it was this fate that inspired the name for their joint photography business.

Her metal-based photography efforts went full-throttle last December after experimenting with photographs she took of Chicago’s el trains.

“When we went downtown on Christmas day, I took some shots of the “L” train as a thank you to Dale for taking me downtown,” Gail said. “I was curious as to how would they would look on metal…it was a kind of a ‘what if’ type of thing.”

Gail explained that it was only after she discovered the unique look that metal-on-metal created that she began truly pursuing the photography business with Dale.

Destiny’s contemporary scenic photography is appealing to both commercial businesses and private individuals, as its clientele currently includes home-owners in the area and furniture stores.

Photos are printed on a lightweight metal that lasts up to four times longer than the average photo, and are available in sizes up to 40 inches-by -60. No frame is used, giving the photographs a more contemporary look. Prices start at around $95, and increase with the size of the photo.

Although customer visiting may vary by appointment, their hours typically range from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

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