Retired Windsor news photographer's exhibition offers striking images

Note to readers: This article contains a graphic image of a medical operation.

Taking a close-up picture of brain surgery was certainly a memorable career moment for Nick Brancaccio but it was also just another day at workfor the retired Windsor Star news photographer.

"It was kind of unique at the time. The patient was awake," Brancaccio recalled.

In order for media to have access to an operating room at what was then Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital, some unique measures were needed, like Brancaccio gowning up."I had to swab down all of my photo equipment," Brancaccio said.

"The number one thing I think of is that I was doing a job... Our job was to bring the news to our readers and viewers."

The striking picture of the operation in progress is just one of dozens ofimages that were hand-picked by Brancaccio for his career retrospective exhibition at the Chimczuk Museum.

Opening Sept. 14, the installation features 50 enlarged photo prints, plus more in a digital slide show.

A wide range of subject matter is represented, with selections drawn from across Brancaccio's 41 years as afrontline photojournalist for the Star.

"I was known to chase a lot of scanner calls," Brancaccio said. "Police, fire, boating mishaps... Although I've done pretty well everything. You name it entertainment, sports, feature, and just daily happenings on the street."

Attendees will see emergency responders at work: Firefighters dealing with massive flames. Police officers making an arrest. Collision victims being rescued from wrecked vehicles.

There are dynamic shots of sports action, legendary artists and entertainers, notable politicians andcharming scenes at community gatherings. Some of the selections Brancacciosays he wants to keep a surprise for in-person attendees.

"There's no AI here. These are all real photos photos taken here in Windsor from a variety of events," Brancaccio says. "There's some tragedy. There's also some challenges, and there's some great triumphs, too."

"It represents a good portion of what I took over the years... Just the sheer vastness of all the work It'sbeautiful to share it."

Craig Capacchione, the exhibitions coordinator with Museum Windsor, arranged the installation to include "artifacts and ephemera" from Brancaccio's day-to-day working life: Cameras and photography equipment, press badges, and newspaper front pages dating back to 1981.

"We got a broad spectrum of what's happening in Windsor, and I'm sure a lot of people will come in and see some images that they might recognize from their past here on the walls," Capacchione said.

Some parts of the installation are sure to leave an impression, and attendees will be warned about graphic images,Capacchionesays.

Brancaccio's photo exhibit, entitled Windsor in Focus, runs at the Chimczuk Museum (401 Riverside Dr. West) until March 2025. The opening ceremony takes place Saturday at 1 p.m., with free admission.