Through the viewfinder: Father Brown in Winsted

WINSTED, MN – It is obvious to those who know Brown that he has a love of photography.  He enjoys taking pictures of people, events, landscapes, and buildings, and then, sharing his favorite photos with others.

He has been taking pictures since he was in high school, using his mother’s box camera, and then he graduated to more sophisticated equipment in college and after ordination.
At St. Mary’s, Brown has  a studio set up for taking photos of residents, staff, and volunteers. Brown  estimates he has taken at least 400 portraits since coming to St. Mary’s.

(Shown is an evening sunset near Eagle River, WI, near Fr. Eugene Brown’s brother Paul’s cabin.)

His photos can be seen throughout St. Mary’s – some with ladies wearing fancy hats, and the gentlemen all dressed up, others in more casual attire. The photos hang outside the rooms of the residents, giving the hallways a personal touch.
Brown is critical of his own photos, explaining that others might think a portrait is alright because it looks like the  person, but he has a whole list of criteria he uses to judge if a photo is a good one or not.
“I can think of at least 20 different things you should have right and, if they are not, then the picture isn’t as good as it could be,” he said.
One thing he especially likes about today’s digital cameras is the speed at which the photo is ready.
“For many years I did black-and-white developing and printing. I have found it (photography) a thousand times easier today,” Brown said. “I would have to send film into the professional color lab in Minneapolis and the proofs would be back in four days. Then, I would have to call people back to look at the proofs. I also had to pay for the film and the processing.”
Now, Brown shoots a dozen pictures, and allows the subject to choose the one he or she  likes. One-half hour later, he is ready to print the final photo.
Years ago, when Brown was pastor of smaller parishes, he would perform the wedding and take the wedding photos, as well.
He doesn’t do wedding photos anymore, except for family weddings. Besides taking portrait photos for St. Mary’s, he also takes photos for special events at the care center and for the Diocese of New Ulm.
Some of his favorite photos will be on display at his reception at St. Mary’s.
Originally from Montevideo, he is the son of James and Mathilda Brown, and one of their six children.
He has family that is coming to celebrate his anniversary from as far away as New Jersey and Arizona, and he is hoping for good weather.
However, from a friend of his, he learned that a priest, “is in sales, not in management.”