Photographer's iPhone diary on display in Villa Park

Chicago-based photographer Paul Elledge will open a free exhibit of his work, "iPhone Once A Day, Everyday," this month in Villa Park.

With the exhibit created solely on his iPhone, Elledge established rules for his project that requires he shoot only black and white photographs, in a vertical orientation, every day, edited using only his iPhone's app network, and posted as a mobile upload.

Some of the more than 3,000 photos he's taken since Jan. 1, 2009, will be on display from May 12 through July 1 at the Park Art Center, 9 E. Park Blvd.

An opening reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m. May 12. Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Elledge has posted an image from his iPhone to his www.iphoneonceaday.com website, Facebook and Tumblr every day since the start of 2009. The result is a visual diary of his life and the exhibit allows viewers to understand the thinking behind the project.

"I am not a writer, thus I have chosen the camera as a tool to create a pictorial diary," Elledge said. "I photograph every day to capture an image that mirrors an emotion, an experience, or a feeling that illustrates my state of mind for that day."

Elledge has held solo exhibitions at a variety of galleries across Chicago, as well as numerous national and international group exhibits, including at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. His clients range from Warner Bros. Records to Leo Burnett USA, and numerous celebrities.

"It is our privilege to display the beauty and power within Paul Elledge's pictorial diary," said Wendee Goles, co-curator. "With the touch of a button, Paul is able to share his understanding of our connected culture by utilizing his iPhone camera tools and his incredible talent. He is absolutely clever and creative in joining the viewer to both the physical and mobile tech world. This exhibit is unique; a must see."

For details, call (630) 501-1455 or visit parkartcenter.org.