Perusing the gorgeous color landscape photography of Charles Cramer now on display at The Ansel Adams Gallery, one is struck by the somewhat perverse notion that "reality" isn''t what it used to be.

Working with highly sophisticated digital scanners, color analyzers and enlargers, Cramer has taken a quantum leap beyond the remarkable detail provided by traditional large-format landscape photography into a realm of hyper-real images full of incredibly rich color, and stunning detail and clarity.

"I''m almost at the stage where it''s frightening, where the only limit is your imagination," says Cramer of the unlimited freedom and control provided by digital printing technology. "Digitally you can get carried away and make colors not of this earth, and the images can be so sharp they can get edgy. I''ve backed down on the sharpening and prefer a more natural look."

Renowned for his earlier landscape work using the complex dye transfer color printmaking process, which uses separate contrast and highlight masks and color separation negatives to yield prints with exceptional color saturation and depth, Cramer says the jump to digital gives comparable quality with much faster and better control.

Starting with 4-by-5 color transparencies, Cramer scans the images employing a "closed loop color management system" that calibrates and fine-tunes the color range and accuracy of the scan to compensate for any inefficiencies in the printer.

Working with a digital enlarger, Cramer then exposes regular photographic paper using red, green and blue lasers. No lenses are used as in traditional printing, and the final image will have almost three times the longevity of traditional color papers.

"To make a good print is not technical, it''s an aesthetic judgment," says Cramer. "You can refine the images a lot more and make multiple variations. I can exaggerate the saturation and contrast of a scene and manipulate the color. Whatever the transparency gives you is not necessarily what''s out there, and in most cases it''s an exaggeration. With the closed loop system, the transparency is the new reality. All I want to do is make a print I like."

Cramer''s current exhibit features both earlier dye transfer prints and the new digital prints, which stimulates some interesting observations about how far the technology has progressed and the nature of photographic "reality." In terms of future uses of digital technology, Cramer says he plans to bridge the old and the new by creating digitally produced negatives that would then be printed with traditional photographic darkroom processes.

"I do miss the darkroom," Cramer laments. "It''s not as romantic sitting in front of a computer pushing buttons."

"From Dye Transfer To Digital--An Evolution In Color Printing" is on display at The Ansel Adams Gallery, the Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. Gallery hours 9am-6pm seven days a week. Through June 15. 375-7215. cw

Art Events

First Murphy House Walkway Dedication. Special Event. The Carmel Heritage Society dedicates a walkway to late Carmel artist Jane Gallatin Powers. The dedication takes place at the top of the walkway on Palou Street (which begins near Monte Verde Street and 4th Avenue). The wine reception following the dedication is held at the First Murphy House and features Powers'' descendants. First Murphy House, Lincoln Street and 6th Avenue, Carmel. 624-4447. Reception: 5/29, Dedication: 2:30pm; reception follows.

Art Listings

Alvarado Gallery Seldom Seen. Exhibit. Paintings by Evelyn M. McCormick of unique Monterey County buildings. In the Monterey Conference Center, #1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. 646-3858. Through: 6/21.

Ansel Adams Gallery From Dye Transfer to Digital--An Evolution in Color Printing. Exhibit. Photographs and prints by Charles Cramer using high-tech digital-imaging techniques. At the Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Dr., Pebble Beach. 375-7215. Through: 6/15.

Back Porch Fabrics Straight from the Right. Exhibit. Quilts created by Regina Liske. 157 Grand Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-4453. Through: 6/24.

Carl Cherry Center Traveling. Exhibit. Twenty-five paintings by Lisa Esherick that explore "real and imagined scenes from journeys." 4th Avenue and Guadalupe Street, Carmel. 624-7491. Through: 6/18.

Carmel Art Association Rip Matteson''s Joy of Life. Exhibit. Oil paintings celebrating the female form by Rip Matteson. Also "Our Four Cartoonists," works by CAA members Eldon Dedini, Bill Bates, Gus Arriola and Rip Matteson, and sculptures by Ken Wiese. Dolores Street, between 5th and 6th avenues, Carmel. 624-6176. Through: 6/2.

Carmel Valley Manor Exhibit. Mixed media by Kenneth McIntosh Daly. 8545 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. 626-4806. Through: 6/30.

Center for Photographic Art Two Views. Exhibit. Father-and-son exhibit featuring photographs by black-and-white photographer Paul Caponigro and his son John Paul Caponigro, who works digitally. In the Sunset Cultural Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. 625-5181. Through: 6/25.

Fireside Lobby Henry Gilpin. Exhibit. Silver gelatin prints by noted photographer Henry Gilpin. At the Highlands Inn, Highway 1, Carmel. 624-3801. Through: 6/15.

Galeria Tonantzin Las Latinas. Works by prominent Latina artists. Also, solo exhibition of paintings by Lucinda Taylor. 115 3rd St., San Juan Bautista. (408) 623-ARTE. Through: 5/30.

Gray''s Art Gallery Just Us. Exhibit. New works by regular exhibitors Sandra Gray, Colleen Lingenfelter, Angelo Buffone, Jimi Claybrooks, Rick Smith and Mona Burk. 1104 Broadway Ave., Suite J, Seaside. 899-1069. Through: 5/29.

Grove Homescapes Spring Flower Art Show. Exhibit. Grove Homescapes presents a two-month tribute to spring with floral arrangements and cut flowers, as well as paintings and photographs that depict flowers. 472 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 656-0864. Through: 5/31.

Hartnell Seminar Gallery Aerial Views: Interpretations in Stoneware. Exhibit. "Geometric and organic shapes in clay interconnected to give the impression of cityscapes and landscapes" by Alexandra Thompson. Visual Arts Building, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6791. Through: 5/28.

Martin LaBorde Gallery Sac (asa-ki-waki). Exhibit. Wood sculpture by James Wolfenden. 6th Avenue, between Lincoln and Dolores streets, Carmel. 620-1150. Through: 5/30.

Monterey Museum of Art--Civic Center Art Ambassador Youth Program; through 5/31. 559 Pacific St., Monterey. 372-5477.

Monterey Museum of Art--La Mirada Colorful Expressions. Exhibit. Landscape paintings by Andr‚s Morillo, including scenes of the Monterey area. Also "An Intimate View: Photographs by David J. Gubernick," nature photographs. 720 Via Mirada, Monterey. 372-3689. Through: 6/27.

Monterey Peninsula Airport Main Streets of Monterey County and Footprints of History. Exhibit. Antique photographs, personal recollections and memorabilia chronicling the history and transformation of local main streets. 200 Fred Kane Dr., Monterey. 624-7910. Through: 9/30.

MPC Art Dept. Gallery Breaking Ground. Exhibit. Ceramic, sculpture and stone carving by Monterey Peninsula College students. At Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 646-4000. Through: 5/28.

National Steinbeck Center Ruckus Rodeo. Exhibit. A walk-through, sculpto-pictorama "which brings to life the excitement of a modern rodeo." Created by Red Grooms, the exhibit fills the entire gallery space with sculptures and paintings. 1 Main St., Salinas. 796-3833. Through: 7/18.

Pacific Grove Art Center Intact and Upright. Exhibit. Paintings by Kent Alexander; A View of Life, paintings by Barbara Reding; BioMorphs 3D, photographs by Steve Aubrey; woodcuts by Andrea Rich. 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-2208. Through: 6/18.

Pajaro Valley Gallery Surf''s Up! Exhibit. Works by local surfers/artists. 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. 722-3062. Through: 6/12.

Peninsula Potters Back to Basics. Exhibit. Original handmade, functional pottery by local collective. 2078 Sunset Dr., Pacific Grove. 372-8867. Through: 6/30.

PG Museum of Natural History Out of the Tidepools. Exhibit. Works, including never-before published photographs and letters, that chronicle the real-life Ed "Doc" Ricketts. 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. 648-3116. Through: 6/30.

PG Museum of Natural History Landforms. Exhibit. Photographs by Joe Hertzbach that "define his vision of the world: intricate textures, shapes, and shades." 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. 648-3116. Through: 7/4.

Searle Art Supplies Exhibit. Alternative processing and mixed-media photography by Jenny Ruley. 639 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. 373-0126. Through: 5/29.

Seaside City Hall Opening Reception. Works in many media by Elizabeth Palmer''s Class of Contemporary Senior Artists and The Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild. 440 Harcourt St., Seaside. 899-6270. Through: 5/28.

Vest Pocket Gallery One of a Kind. Exhibit. Floral collages made by Carmen DiPietro from freeze-dried flowers and foliage. In the Forest Hill Manor, 551 Gibson St., Pacific Grove. 657-5200. Through: 5/31.

Weston Gallery Exhibit. Works by contemporary photographers including Paul Kozal, Rod Dresser, Tom Hawkins, Tom Baril and others. 6th Avenue, between Dolores and Lincoln streets, Carmel. 624-4453. Through: 5/30.

Zantman Galleries Opening Reception. Recent works in oil by Ted Goerschner. 6th Avenue and Mission Street, Carmel. 624-8314. Through: 6/11.

Theater

Opening

Master Class Preview: Friday, 7:30pm; Opening: Saturday, buffet at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. Drama. This Tony Award-winning play--really a series of vignettes--by Terrence McNally is subtitled "A Love Letter to Maria Callas," and stars New York City actress Tamir. Master Class is, for most purposes, a one-woman show loosely based on the larger-than-life opera diva Maria Callas. Sid Cato directs. Opening night is a benefit for the Monterey Opera Association, and includes a pre-show buffet dinner. Golden Bough Theater, Monte Verde Street, between 8th and 9th avenues, Carmel. Call for ticket prices. Opening reception: 372-2721; other nights: 622-0100. Through: 7/11.

Closings

Broadway Bound Thursday, 7pm; Friday & Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. Comedy. The third and last play of Neil Simon''s autobiographical trilogy, Broadway Bound continues where Biloxi Blues left off, with Eugene (James Affinito) and his brother Stanley (Henry Guevara) tackling their family''s break-up and their first forays into the world of professional comedy writing. Peter deBono directs several returning cast members from an earlier MPC production, in a play that typifies Simon''s warm, gently humorous style. $3/general, free to students with ID. Monterey Peninsula College Main Stage, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 646-4213. Through: 5/30.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Melodrama. The Troupers of the Gold Coast tackle this favorite 19th-century figure of pride and madness, immortalized in the Robert Louis Stevenson novel and put into theatrical form by Luella Forpaugh and George Fish. Kevin Hanstick plays the title role, the doctor with dual personalities whose scientific experiments lead him to the dark side of his own soul. Bring the kids--all First Theater shows are geared for the entire family. An olio revue follows, as usual. California''s First Theater, Scott and Pacific streets, Monterey. $10/General; $5/Children; $8/Seniors. 375-4916. Through: 5/31.

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