Genuine Chocolate Flavor

From the Gas Up. One has to admire the organization of the shelf display. Its nice to see single servings of apple sauce. Mmmm gotta love that chocolate flavor too.

Still its Cold

Even though there's no snow, its still cold at night going out and photographing. Does anyone feel like donating a camera to me? I could make good use of a 4x5 or 6x7 format. Really, cause I'm not feeling the connection with the Leica. Sorry, Leica. Its not you, its me. Well, maybe its you. Its just sometimes I want more resolution, but maybe I need to accept the idea of smaller prints, that fit the purview of the Leica? Just the overall impact of a smaller print is something I need to embrace.

Photographing in the 7th Grade

This is from a roll I took when I was about twelve years old and in the 7th grade. I was enrolled in a graphic design type of course, which also included a photography component. My dad took me out with his Olympus OM1 camera. I tried different techniques, such as a slow shutter speed, panning on moving objects, etc. Most were pretty bad, but some were ok. This one I like in particular.

I never got to use the darkroom, during the intro my friend Danny Wood and I were kicked out by the teacher for being disruptive (or just 12 year olds).

Nights

New work from the time after the sun goes down. Its winter, but there is still no snow. Come on already. Night in the snow would really work. You don't always notice, but there is a lot of light from artificial sources. These exposures are longer to capture it, of course, but the landscape and objects appear much illuminated. And I'm doing my best to make use of the 35mm camera.

This photo of an Elvis painting is from a dive bar in Kingsport, TN. I'm not sure of its name. Written on the sign beneath the bit about not talking on phones is a signature that reads "The Pub". It may in fact just be called The Pub. It seems I end up with a lot of photos of Elvis. I guess because I like him and his music, but I think there is more to it than that; its what he represents to many other people as well. I can't express how happy I was to see this painting hanging next to the bathroom. These kind of places make me smile.

As I've been visiting Kingsport to work on a documentary, I've seen this bar several times and always wanted to go in and check it out. Its windowless and sits at the corner of a building in a dilapidated part of town, which much of Kingsport is. The most wonderful thing happened as I walked through the door, the jukebox was playing, and quite loudly I might add, Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight. I felt as if I'd been transported back in time. It suited the atmosphere perfectly. It occured to me that no other song would really be suitable. The song, the windowless, artificial, unnatural light, the patrons all fulfilled their role in creating the perfect scene. The bar served pickled eggs stored in a big glass jar, upon which a sign in marker read: "My eggs are pickled". I'm describing the things I saw, the sounds, because it was truly so joyful. I asked if I could bring my camera in to take a picture of the Elvis painting and the bartender allowed it. There were so many things to photograph, but I was pleased to just have the photo of the painting.

Where a man belongs.

Using a Leica. Still not entirely sure how I feel about it.

Cobra

The second photo I've made this week of discarded beverages in trees. Maybe there's a theme emerging? These just happen to be the two I came across. But Pepsi and Cobra are exceptional icons of the American beverage industry.

Goodbye Bread

This Time in Yellow

The Mamas And Papas - Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Or this one? It may be broken down though. Or maybe it just had a tune-up and is ready to roll? You can't read it, but the sign over the door has the hours and phone number. Underneath it reads," All hours are subject to change w/o notice on owner being ready to leave."

The tone is serious. Its not being cute, just straightforward. They wanted to make it official and put it on the sign.

I can go down the road in this car. Its too red. Too conspicuous. Its too cold for a convertible now anyway. But it does look pretty under the streetlight. This was at night.

Down the Road

Something in the Way: Exhibition Photos

Here are some pics from my MFA Thesis Exhibition now up at the WCU Fine Art Museum. I'll post more soon, so more of the installation is shown.

Lenscratch Halloween

Here's a pic of mine on The 2011 LENSCRATCH Masks, Costumes, and Halloween Exhibition.

Halloween

Something in the Way: MFA Thesis Exhibition

So its finally here, my MFA thesis exhibition! The opening reception is from 4-6:30PM on Thursday, November 3rd. The exhibit will be open Nov. 3-11 at the Fine Art Museum at WCU in Cullowhee, NC. I know its a bit of a drive to make it out, but I hope you, loyal readers, will make the trip. It features 35 large-scale prints and a corresponding book. Also, my friend and fellow MFA graduate, Lauren Whitley, will be having a simultaneous opening in the adjacent gallery. So its a two for one opening. You can't beat that. I'm fortunate and honored to be sharing an opening and gallery space with Lauren, what else can I say? So come out and enjoy the art and dance party.

Born to Lose

Boots, Frying Pans, Head-Scratching and Nail-Biting

Why so many frying pans?

Script

Four signatures scrawled on a wall from decades past. The script is very elegant and illustrative of the care people once took in writing and signing their names. Just look at that "T" in Billy's middle initial.