There is a narrow distance, literally and figuratively, between the photographer and his or her subject,  a distance explored in the exhibition, This Narrow Distance: Photographs by Stephen DiRado, Keiko Hiromi, Hank Hauptmann, Linsey Camilli, Robert M. Johnson, and Sarah Bilotta opening Jan. 17 at the Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road.  The exhibition runs at the Craft Center through Feb. .  An opening night celebration is planned from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, and is open free to the public.

Curated by Louie Despres, a Worcester-based photographer and 2012 Worcester Arts Council Fellowship winner, This Narrow Distance unites six photographers who share deeply personal connections toward their subjects.  “Utilizing their cameras with great lyricism,” writes Despres in his curator’s statement, “they capture the drama or solace within individuals that model in a studio, reside on the city streets, summer beach or suburbs.”

 After being selected Best in Show at the Worcester Center for Crafts’ Center Yourself exhibition in 2011, Despres was asked to curate an exhibition for the Krikorian Gallery of the Craft Center that focused on portrait photographers.  Despres set out to give exposure to photographers from the Central New England area whose common goal is to celebrate humanity through portrait photography.

The photographers chosen employ different perspectives and photographic techniques making the exhibition a lively conversation between approaches.

An artists’ talk by Sarah Bilotta and Hank Hauptmann will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in the gallery.  Krikorian Gallery hours are 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information, call (508) 753-8183 or visit WorcesterCraftCenter.org.