Hundreds of people attended Friday’s reception at Sacramento State’s University Library Gallery for David Hume Kennerly’s exhibit, “Capturing History: David Hume Kennerly”. Those who came to look at the photography included students from Sacramento State, parents with their children, and people who read about Kennerly’s exhibit in The Sacramento Bee.

Kennerly said the gallery did a good job organizing his exhibit.

“I think they did a really nice job considering it all came together really quickly. They got their pictures kind of late from the University of Texas,” he said. “I like the way it looks.”

Cindi Shimkus, junior photography major, said Kennerly is one of her favorite photographers. She said she hung out on campus all day waiting to see Kennerly.

“It’s exciting to see him here. We are very fortunate to have him here today,” Shimkus said.

Cuno Barragan said he saw Kennerly’s article in the Bee, but was also invited to the exhibit by Sally Hitchcock, Phil Hitchcock, University Library Gallery director’s wife.

Barragan wanted to make sure he wouldn’t miss the reception because Kennerly is in town for a short time.

Barragan said he likes the definition and lighting in Kennerly’s photographs.

“I don’t know how he does it, but he seems to get the shadows, the lighting just perfect,” he said. “I just don’t understand how he does it. He’s the right guy at the right place at the right time.”

500 posters of Kennerly’s “Five Presidents” photograph, which features Barack Obama, George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter at the White House to commemorate the inauguration of Obama, were given out for free to the first 500 people who wanted it.

Shimkus, who got one of Kennerly’s posters, said she was going to frame it.

“I can’t wait to frame it. We look at it today and we go ‘uh huh, another picture of the presidents,’ but he was there. He met them. He’s seen them,” she said.

Many people waited in line to get Kennerly’s autograph on their poster.

Kennerly said he liked the fact that some people were going to give the posters to their kids to put in their classrooms.

“I think it’s an important history lesson certainly, to see Barack Obama standing tall among the other presidents. He looks like he belongs there and I think that’s important for people to know,” he said.

Kennerly said the impression he would like to leave with his work is for people to have a better understanding of history and the people he has photographed.

“The whole idea of my kind of photography is to create awareness of what’s going on in the world and who are the people that are running it,” he said.

David Hume Kennerly’s photos are on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday on March 13 to June 27 at the University Library Gallery.

Christina Li can be reached at [email protected]