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Barrington photographer captures interest in preservation
Barrington resident Robert McGinley, photographed riding Wesley, has had a passion for photography since he was a teenager at Barrington High School. | Photo Courtesy of Robert McGinley
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Updated: December 18, 2012 2:58PM
BARRINGTON — Barrington resident Robert McGinley has had a passion for photography since he was a teenager at Barrington High School. Over the years, McGinley’s photography has shifted focus from architectural photography to landscape photography using natural lighting as a key highlight in many of his pieces. McGinley’s photography eventually led him to write and direct feature films. McGinley credits his family’s farm in Barrington Hills as his inspiration to take on land preservation projects. Most recently, McGinley’s book of photography, “Magic Hour,” was featured at La Citadelle Gallery in South Barrington’s Arboretum. McGinley divides his time between Barrington and Los Angeles, where his family resides.
Q: How long have you lived in Barrington?
A: I’ve lived here on and off since childhood.
Q: What about Barrington makes you proud?
A: I think what’s desirable is having access to a unique community and an amazing place for photography. I find rural landscapes so interesting.
Q: What is your favorite community event?
A: The Callaway Cup. I’m an annual attendee.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant or entertainment venue in town?
A: My favorite place I haven’t been to yet is the ACE Hardware.
Q: If you were mayor for the day, what would you do?
A: I would get some of the best architectural minds available and make the corner of Lake-Cook and Route 59 something we can be proud of.
Q: What has changed in Barrington since you moved here?
A: We have more traffic. We never used to have traffic jams.
Q: What inspired you to go into photography?
A: I started at Barrington High School taking a photography class. I started shooting for a school newspaper. I started to be attracted to the more abstract use of a camera.
Q: What got you interested in photography?
A: I’ve always been interested in the way the light changes. I’ve always kind of imagined this running dream where you try to catch the horizon, where the land and the sky meet.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: Just to keep doing photography and be able to attract an audience. I’d like to be in other platforms than a gallery. Like expanding into cards or calendars. I’d like to do something on a billboard scale.
Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest achievement?
A: When it comes to photography, the most important thing I was able to execute is the easement conservation of Horizon Farms (his family’s farm in Barrington Hills). We’re going to preserve habitat and wildlife.
Q: What are you reading?
A: I’m reading a book called “Four Fathers.” It’s written by a Barrington High School graduate.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Chasing Ice.” It’s about a photographer who is documenting the receding ice in the Antarctic.
Q: What’s on your iPod?
A: I like lots of trance and electronica.
Q: What’s your favorite vacation destination?
A: Probably Utah.
Q: Are you a summer or winter person?
A: I like both, but I like winter sports.
Q:What is your favorite Chicago sports team?
A: The Bears.
