Princeton photographer Lionel Goodman will exhibit 17 pre-pandemic images in a one-person show in the gallery at the Plainsboro Public Library September 1 through October 27.

The photos in “Life Before the Pandemic: Will It Return?” depict scenes that were  commonplace before  the arrival of COVID-19, but can no longer take place.  For instance, three unrelated men sit hip to hip on a park bench.

Goodman is emeritus professor of physical chemistry at Rutgers University and took up photography  after his retirement in 2003. As an academic research scientist, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship for his work using laser spectroscopy to investigate molecular structure.  He sees definite parallels between his scientific work and his current photographic pursuits, both of which require meticulous attention to detail as well as a heightened “sense of creativity.” 

In 2018, Goodman  showed  “Uncommon Faces,” a collection of portraits, at the Plainsboro Public Library gallery. He has received several prizes for his people-oriented photography, notably  from the Perkins Art Center, the Mercer County Arts Council, and New York City’s Salmagundi Club. He was awarded First in Show at the Grounds For Sculpture Photography Expositions in 2009 and 2010. His photograph About to Depart is in the Johnson & Johnson Museum’s  permanent  collection, and he served as program chair of the Princeton Photography Club for four years.

The Plainsboro Public Library is located at 9 Van Doren  Street, Plainsboro. For more information, call (609) 275-2897.