The article titled "Beyond Point-and-Shoot" discusses photographer Judy Dater's latest exhibition, "The Gun Next Door," which explores the complex issue of gun ownership in America by answering the question, "what kind of people own guns?" The exhibit highlights Dater's belief in strong gun control while acknowledging why so many people feel the need to own firearms.

Dater, known for her psychologically expressive portraiture, sought to answer the questions of who owns guns and why. She invited gun owners to her studio to sit for portraits while holding their firearms. The resulting series of black-and-white images, exhibited for the first time in Oakland, captures men and women of various backgrounds, challenging stereotypes associated with gun enthusiasts. Among her subjects are a poet, a tech manager, a doctor, a civil rights activist, and even a self-described pacifist.

After being inspired by a painting of a gun, Dater decided to focus on taking pictures of people with guns rather than using gun imagery directly. Dater's approach involved minimal staging, allowing her subjects to wear their own clothes and engaging in conversations during the photoshoots. The resulting images capture the individuals rather than solely focusing on the guns themselves. While Dater struggled to find museum exhibition opportunities due to the subject matter of this particular exhibit, the Oakland gallery hosting her exhibition embraced the series as it aligns with their mission of exploring the human experience, including the complex relationship with gun ownership.