Internationally acclaimed photographer Ian Ruhter is set to return to his artistic origins this fall with a groundbreaking exhibition titled "The Lake" at Lake Tahoe Community College's Haldan Gallery. The major showcase of contemporary ambrotypes and tintypes will run from October 9 through December 11, 2025, with a public opening reception featuring the artist scheduled for Thursday, October 9, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Ruhter's remarkable photographic journey has deep roots at Lake Tahoe, where his artistic voice first emerged despite early challenges. Diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, he discovered his calling as a young adult while taking a photography class at LTCC. Using nothing more than a pinhole camera crafted from an oatmeal container, Ruhter found a profound connection to his own worldview through the camera's inverted and reversed perspective. "At 26, I finally felt like I was able to speak," Ruhter reflects on that pivotal moment.

This discovery launched him toward international recognition and established his unique artistic path. While the photography world increasingly embraced digital technology, Ruhter deliberately moved in the opposite direction, seeking authenticity through historic photographic processes. His rediscovery and mastery of wet collodion photography, a mid-19th-century technique utilizing glass and metal plates, became the foundation for his groundbreaking work on an unprecedented scale.

Ruhter's most innovative achievement involved transforming a box truck into the world's largest wet plate camera, enabling him to create monumental ambrotypes and tintypes. Some of these extraordinary works measure an impressive 96 by 66 inches, establishing him as a singular and revolutionary figure in contemporary photography. His unique approach and massive-scale works have earned him exhibitions in major cultural centers including New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.

Despite achieving international acclaim and showcasing his work in prestigious venues around the world, Ruhter has long harbored a dream of presenting these monumental pieces where his journey began—at Lake Tahoe itself. "The Lake" exhibition represents the fulfillment of this vision, bringing his artistic journey full circle to the place that first inspired his creative voice.

The comprehensive exhibition will feature an impressive collection of 68 images, including two of the largest wet collodion plates ever created in photographic history. Beyond simply displaying the finished works, the exhibition will also provide visitors with an in-depth exploration of Ruhter's complex and labor-intensive photographic process, offering insight into the technical mastery required for wet collodion photography.

"This exhibition is more than a homecoming," Ruhter explains. "It's about transformation, about finding your voice, and about returning to the place where it all began. For me, the treasure has always been here at the lake." His words reflect both the personal significance of this exhibition and his enduring connection to the Lake Tahoe community that nurtured his artistic development.

The exhibition will be held at the Haldan Gallery, located at Lake Tahoe Community College on One College Drive in South Lake Tahoe, California. The opening reception on Thursday, October 9, from 5 to 8 p.m., will provide the public with an opportunity to meet the artist and gain firsthand insight into his remarkable artistic journey and innovative photographic techniques.