The results of a year's worth of photos of Otsego Lake will be unveiled Friday in "Otsego Lake Past and Present: The Photographs of Richard S. Duncan."

The Farmers' Museum, which commissioned the photos for the book, will officially release the new volume during a book signing and celebration of the recently expanded exhibit, "Mysteries of the Lake: Otsego Lake...Past and Present" which also features Duncan's photography.

The photographs taken in 2003 and 2004 by Duncan provide a contemporary record of Otsego Lake. The book also includes historic lake photos from the New York State Historical Association's collection.

Duncan said one of the things he enjoyed about the process was having a year "to concentrate on one thing and not have to worry about making a living."

"It allowed me to develop as an artist without being constantly interrupted," he said. "What's been important in the project is that quality is foremost. It's a dream situation."

The concept for the book was developed by Duncan while he was working for two summers as the caretaker for the village's Fairy Springs park.

"That's when I came up with the idea, but I was too busy working and didn't have time to take pictures," he said.

Duncan said he took thousands of photos that cover all four seasons on the lake. Most were taken from land, but toward the end of the year, he took many shots from the water in a kayak.

The photographer said he doesn't have a favorite location on the lake, but is partial to the east side - "the wild side."

Meeting people around the lake while taking photos was one of the high points of the project for Duncan.

"So many people generously allowed me to walk across their property to get great views of the lake," he said, adding that he learned a lot of lake history from the stories he was told.

The selection process was a team effort involving NYSHA's chief curator Paul D'Ambrosio and Jane Clark.

"Richard Duncan's photographs are extraordinary and capture the beauty and tranquility of the lake," said Clark. "The historic photographs and illustrations from the mid-nineteenth century also included in the book remind us of the importance of conservation and preservation as visitors today can view the breathtaking majesty of the lake as those who were here two hundred years ago did."

"The book takes the reader on a fascinating journey to each of the principal sites around the lake, and reveals the beauty, history and mystery of one of America's most picturesque landscapes," said D'Ambrosio.

Almost all of the images were shot on film using a medium format Hasselblad camera. Duncan said he will never abandon film, but has had to teach himself digital photography and is now in the process of setting up a digital darkroom.

"You have to stay flexible and stay with the times," he said.

This was the first time Duncan has been involved in the printing process and he said it was a "fascinating experience."

Duncan was born in Catskill, New York. He attended Manlius Military School, Rhode Island School of Design, and was an apprentice to French painter Jacques Fabert. He also attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. His work has appeared in a number of books, here and abroad. Duncan's work is in many private collections and he has had several exhibits around the country.

Photographing the lake could be a lifetime project, according to Duncan.

"I feel like I only scratched the surface," he said.

Next summer there will be a show of Duncan's photographs at the Fenimore Art Museum and in the meantime, he is working on another book. The next one will be a book of Cooperstown photographs. Duncan said he is not sure if will include a mix of old and new photos because the design has not yet been finalized.

Otsego Lake Past and Present will be available beginning July 8 at The Farmers' Museum Shop and online at www.farmersmuseum.org. The book costs $39.95.