Just in time for D.C.'s hot, humid weather, Randall Scott Gallery presents photographs by Sarah Wilmer, who's work offers a cool, dewy refuge from the heat and humidity found on the city's streets.

Wilmer's work consists of ethereal photographs of mystical characters that transport you to another time and place. To say they are fantastical storybook settings would be stating the obvious, but they are clearly enchanted. Her photographs consist of vivid greens and blues that highlight the dark, dank, moist forests found throughout her photographs. She captures amazing colors by photographing her subjects at dusk or dawn in heavily wooded areas. She then perfects the color by tweaking it further to get it just right.

In Untitled (Black Cat) (pictured above), the contrasting colors of the deep blue aqua sky and the vibrant yellow of the flowers make this piece vibrate with hyper realism. It is very crisp and the focus so sharp you can almost make out every single blade of grass in the photograph. Anticipation of the oncoming night is palpable as a pair of yellow eyes peer out from behind a rock. The cat patiently awaits the witching hour.

Wilmer creates these worlds by starting with a general idea of images, subjects and people that she wants to work with. She sometimes sketches her ideas first but often lets herself be responsive to the photographic environment of the shoot once she gets there. Props are sometimes used to tell a story and complete a narrative. After she processes her film she employs color, density and printing to see her ideas come to fruition.

Inspired by late 16th and 17th century Dutch painting as well as the more modern medium of film, Wilmer's photographs incorporate her influences well. Wilmer said that she grew up watching films and only learned about photography after moving away from Missouri. In Untitled (Vella) the film influence is most apparent. The photograph is of a tight, up close shot of an old gnome character complete with pointy hat. Attention is squarely on the gnome's face, which is in sharp focus. The forested background is blurry, drawing further attention to the gnome, giving the whole piece the feel of a still shot from a movie.

She said her favorite piece in the show is Untitled (Fliers and Fox) (pictured right), explaining that it "felt very fresh and new and exciting." The piece stands out from the others in the show mainly because of its quirky imagery. Her photographs are dark and serious and are all enveloped in an air of mystery. Fliers and Fox, while seemingly shot at night, evokes a silly whimsy as two flying cats hunt a very calm fox.

Images courtesy of the gallery.

Sarah Wilmer's photographs are on view now until July 5. Randall Scott Gallery is located at 1326 14th Street NW and is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.