With his youth and intelligence—not to mention leisure, it’s not surprising that photographer Jose Campos III should be dealing not just with images but also concepts, as he does in his latest exhibit, which he entitles "Balance Within."

"Balance, since the work involves concept of balance and dichotomy," he explains. "Within, since what I’ve come up with is a body of work that is internalized."

Presented in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy, the solo exhibit is set to open at Hiraya Gallery on January 19. It consists of color photographs, printed on special paper, that are distinctly marked by a straight line drawn vertically across their surface. Obviously, the line isn’t there merely for effect—for instance, to achieve symmetry in composition, in which case it cannot but be distractive at best—since more often than not, it is placed off-center, either to the left or to the right. Shot outside the country, the photographs themselves are mostly of ordinary people, scenes, and objects in nature, perhaps the better for Campos to illustrate the concept behind the line, on which he virtually rhapsodizes, thus:

"The line pertains to human interactions and assumptions with color relating to their lives. Its opacity refers to the line being unconsciously lingering, with a feeling of mystery as well as unsureness. The line is present in the work but also hiding in it.

"If the line is colored from the scene, the element in the scene are integral to it. If the line is not from the scene, I am attempting to discuss a scenario.

"Drawing a line across the floor creates a divide between two people. Drawing a line through a person creates internal turmoil, a questioning of what is happening in the image itself."

Even before he is done with "Balance Within," Campos—who describes his style in photography as "brash but subdued," appears to be already exploring future "scenarios" with the line, specifically "concepts of balance from different angles," saying:

"I would like to continue to explore my relation to the lines that cross my life."

The projected exploration may affirm for him the symbolism inherent in his concept, at the same time that it eliminates the hint in it of any attendant conceit.