By Abigail Vannata, Staff Writer
Newman’s Steckline Gallery this month will feature photography by a familiar face on campus.
Daniel Scott Murphy, who works as the web technology specialist in University Advancement, is the artist behind an exhibit titled “Day for Night,” which opens on Friday and will run through Feb. 27.
Murphy, hired at Newman almost 12 years ago, is the go-to guy for the university’s websites, photography and videos.
“I've always wanted to display my work at the Steckline Gallery,” he said. “I'm putting a lot of work into this exhibit, not just artistically.”
He said a majority of his effort has gone into building his own frames for each of the 18 photographs that will be displayed.
“I worked about eight hours last Sunday running a router for the wooded frames,” he said. “If you are any true artist, you can't afford to purchase custom framing, so you have to learn how to do it yourself.”
The showcase title “Day for Night” references a film technique where scenes are filmed during the day, then altered with lighting and post-production to appear as though they were shot at night. Murphy utilizes this, but for his photography.
“I’ve set out to study that technique through still photographs and motion picture,” he said. “I challenged myself to introduce elements to help sell the day-for-night technique.”
He did this by adding warm light sources to the photos to contrast the dark tones that are often associated with night scenes, as well as adding stars and shaping light sources to look like moonlight. In the end, the daytime picture mimics the nighttime.
Beyond Newman
Murphy’s also has his own business, Daniel Scott Films, which is dedicated to his craft.
“I shoot a lot of music videos and short films and have been amazed that so many top-tier Hollywood directors use day-for-night,” he said. “I really wanted to understand what is capable on a much smaller scale so I can incorporate it into my own work with confidence and understanding.”
Murphy, a native Wichitan and a lover of the local music scene, said that he gets a lot of jobs photographing live music and filming music videos.
“I've had the pleasure of working with so many talented artists over the past few years,” he said.
Emiliy Ritter, assistant professor of digital design, has served as director of the Steckline Gallery since fall 2024. She said the gallery has been here much longer than she has: more than 15 years.
“Dan applied to exhibit his work in the gallery,” she said. “It is typical for artists to apply to show their work in the space.”
Showcase event details
The exhibition opens with an Art for Lunch talk for Newman students from noon to 1 p.m. today in the Steckline Gallery in Newman’s DeMattias Fine Arts Center. Pizza will be provided.
“I'll explain my process for day-for-night photography as well as discuss some of the day-for-night techniques used on a much larger scale and why some directors decide to shoot night scenes during the day,” Murphy said.
A First Friday opening reception will happen from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, free for the public to attend.
“Whether you're interested in the craft or you're a seasoned photographer or filmmaker, you'll walk away with a new appreciation for the day-for-night technique,” Murphy said.
Photo: Courtesy, Daniel Murphy
