Yorktown Photographer Displays Three Photographs at ArtsWestchester Exhibit

Yorktown photographer David Rocco's work is on display at ArtsWestchester in White Plains. He is featured in the new exhibition, Hurricane Sandy: Through the Lens of Local Photographers, which will remain on view through April 27. 

The exhibit examines the recent storm through photographs and writings of more than 50 amateur and professional photographers. Proceeds from the suggested donations to view the exhibit will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Westchester. 

"My love or interest in photography is the ability to record important moments in my travels," Rocco told Patch. "They may not be all important or exciting photos, but you have to shoot away just in case that moment happens to present itself."

Three of Rocco's five submissions were chosen to be displayed at the exhibit. 

One image was of a outdoor deck on Staten Island that floated away from its home to a marshland a few blocks away, with a barbecue grill and deck furniture still in place on the deck. The other image was a street in Belle Harbor Rockaway where an out of control fire spread from house to house on one side of the street then shot across the street to burn down additional homes.  

"All told, this street lost about 16 beautiful homes and one restaurant," Rocco said. "It wasn’t as bad as the Breezy Point situation where over 100 tightly situated buildings burned to the ground."

That same street was the scene of the Flight 587 plane crash in November 2001 where nearly 300 people perished including five residents from this same neighborhood, Rocco said.

"The problem I was told by residents of both neighborhoods was that the surge from the Atlantic Ocean was at least five feet or higher, preventing the fire department getting there to battle the fires," he said.

About his "Coney Island" photograph (attached to this article), which is also exhibited, Rocco said the first object that caught his attention was the former parachute steel structure in the back of the image. 

"I thought the sun setting in the western sky could make a nice shot, but what really caught my attention was the people walking on one of the most famous beaches in this country, observing and sifting through all the debris Hurricane Sandy left in her wake," he said.

Rocco's philosophy, regarding life in general and photography, he said, is "Sometimes it’s better to be lucky, than good!" He said, he might not be an expert on camera technology, but he believes he has a gift for seeing things differently from others. 

Once Rocco, whose background was in construction and carpentry, retired from his job in 2001 because of a disabling injury, he wanted to stay busy and get involved as a volunteer with area not-for-profit organizations with emphasis on historic preservation, he said. 

He has served on the Walkway's Board of Directors, member of the Yorktown Community Dog Park, Treasurer of the Friends of FDR State Park and more. He has also done property management, public outreach, lobbying and grant writing.

Below is David Rocco's Artist Statement: 

David Rocco has served as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Board Member, Advisory Board Member, Treasurer, project manager, property management, public outreach, lobbyist and grant writer for many cultural and environmental initiatives in the Hudson Valley. He played a seminal role in the successful development of the Walkway Over the Hudson. Other projects that have benefited from his expertise include the Mt. Beacon Fire Tower, the Beacon Sloop Club’s “Woody Guthrie” and the Yorktown Depot in Yorktown Heights, NY. An active political lobbyist, he is well known for advocating effectively with government agencies and federal and state officials at all levels.

He is currently participating in the Hudson Valley’s Patterns for Progress “Fellows” program in Newburgh, NY. Hudson Valley Patterns for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organization whose mission is to promote regional, balanced and sustainable solutions that enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley. Scenic photography of the Hudson Valley has been a passion for Mr. Rocco for the past 15 years. Some of Mr. Rocco’s collection of photographs have been published in a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, annual reports, promotional packages, calendars and websites.

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