some random images from the past week…
stop motion I took a bit ago before a shoot…
Larry’s Service Station:
I frequently have driven past this small little gas station (that no longer sells gas) whenever I head to the Southside. There always seems to be two old men sitting outside. Today, I had a chance to stop and chat a bit. I learned that Larry’s was actually the station where News-Star World employees used to fill up.
Larry’s is owned by Larry, of course, and Larry Jr. also works there as a mechanic. It has been on its 2nd Street location for almost 54 years.
While I was there, I spoke with the customer that was getting his car fixed. He reminicsed about the old days and The News-Star World (he used to have a paper route when he was a kid). He told me that his uncle actually won a Pulitzer Prize. Read about that here.
I enjoyed my visit and I think I started another project by accident.
Ag Expo 2012:
Every time I try to produce serious work, it never fails that I get sent to an Ag Expo… Eat your heart out cities that don’t have kids wearing cowboy hats…
I was just in love with this sky… while at this wreck…
The Green Houses:
I have been intrigued by a particular row of shotgun houses ever since I started working at The News-Star. I see them most days depending on what route I take to the office.
I am not sure if it was the color, the grouping or the activity that always seems to be in front of them that first caught my attention.
I finally stopped there today after months of debate. I met George, a very nice retired man that allowed me to speak with him a bit and eventually bring out a camera, much to the dismay of his neighbor who started yelling and then ran inside his house.
George dismissed him with a wave and a, “Pay him no mind.” Not wanting to wear out my welcome I just snapped a quick image, putting the emphasis on establishing a bond instead of becoming a paparazzi.
I tried to explain why the houses appealed to me, but I think I failed. I asked if he would mind if I returned to document the lives that inhabit the green houses. He seemed a bit thrown by the question but acquiesced.
I understand that is is a bit odd for people to randomly interject themselves into one’s life. The thing is, I am genuinely interested in listening to people’s stories… How can I explain this? The last thing I want to become is someone that is viewed to be using another individual’s life as just another shot for my portfolio.
George’s life is not hard news, yet I am intrigued by people that have lived in one city, one community, one house their whole life. Does art justify this process?
How can I explain this to someone? Especially not even knowing one thing about them before I walk up and introduce myself?
I guess it can also be said that you might never know unless you start somewhere.
Meeting George was a good start. I hope I can share this sentiment to him without sounding crazy.
Had a chance to do a shoot with Lanie the other day. She was a great model, easy to work with and OMG I love the afternoon light in my apartment.
So I had an assignment yesterday to take a photo of something to do with taxis to go along with a story about some new regulations that will potentially put several taxi service around the state out of business. I rode around with Paul Smith, II, for a bit to long and the folks back at the office were getting a bit antsy, even though I made deadline with plenty of time. They ended up running a slightly different shot but here is the one that didn’t run but I liked.
So the other day I suppose I was subconsciously trying to get out of working… I ended up some how managing to jam my finger into my eye and ended up with two corneal abrasions… yeah not fun, good thing they heal fast…
**** Oh the yellow dots on the edges of my eye is a stain they used to see the scratches in the cornea FYI!
Louisiana Delta Ballet Artistic Director Missy Crain invited the former Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet, John Magnus to guest choreograph a dance for the Regional Dance America National Festival in Montreal Canada.
Driskill Mountain:
The weekend roadtrip itch set in, and although I couldn’t go far, a few friends and I decided to go to the highest point in Louisiana (a whopping 535 ft above sea level and a unremarkable 15 minute drive from where I graduated). It started raining a bit, but we didn’t mind, all of us just glad to be outside and not working or doing school. A short hike and a deceitful self timer later heres the view… not much of one, but a good mini-adventure in the fresh air.
So I have been absent for a good little while.
My last three weekends have been extremely busy and things do not look like they are going to let up…
I have been traveling a bit, some work (NOLA), some pleasure (ATL) but all the time #hustling (explanation later).
I feel like I have been constantly in and out of cars, boats and wearing out my shoes.
So here is the deal…. This is a photoset (slideshow… MOM: press the arrow keys on the side of the above images)… that hits on a bit of the things I have been doing lately.
It starts in New Orleans at the LHSAA State Championships Class 5A…
1. West Monroe Assistant Coach Tony Osborne shares an emotional moment with his son and quarterback Connor Osborne (7) after the Rebels defeated the Carencro Bears. The West Monroe Rebels won the game 20-13 and claimed the title of 5A State Champions at the New Orleans Superdome on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
2. Jerit getting amped up about breakfast at Trolley Stop…
3. Gov. Jindal speaking to New Tech, a special program at Ruston High School.
4. Two bald eagles sit atop a mature cypress tree at Mollicy farms along Shiloh Creek. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy are working together to plant more cypress trees like this one to boost the ecosystem of one of the largest floodplain restoration projects in the nation.
5. Thousands of geese, ducks and other waterfowl take flight at Mollicy farms along Shiloh Creek. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy are working together on one of the largest floodplain restoration projects in the nation.
6. Grambling State University held its fall commencement Friday at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Arena in Grambling. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Stephanie Finley gave the commencement address and Skyla Duncan gave the valedictory statement. Yanick Anagho, Yusuf Anderson and Christina Appleberry all react slightly differently as their class is called to walk across the stage.
7. The Monroe City School Board held its semimonthly meeting on Tuesday night at J.S. Clark Elementary. Fingers were pointed literally and figuratively by board members and the audience. Bishop Rodney McFarland, Sr. holds his head in his hands as Vice President Verbon Muhammad speaks.
8. Emotions run high in the same school board meeting, as both concerned parents and students speak.
9. Louisiana’s First Lady visited CHRISTUS St. Joseph’s Home in Monroe on Thursday and helped decorate the Christmas tree. The performance choir from J.S. Clark Magnet sang a short program, danced and distributed Christmas cards to the residents. Aniya Edwards, a fifth grader, dances with Mrs. Jindal.
10. Louisiana’s First Lady visited CHRISTUS St. Joseph’s Home in Monroe on Thursday and helped decorate the Christmas tree. The performance choir from J.S. Clark Magnet sang a short program, danced and distributed Christmas cards to the residents.
Christmas at ULM
WAC Champs:
I realize I am a tad behind in blogging about the Bulldog’s win over New Mexico State, but not having a computer at home will do that…
I am an alumnus of Louisiana Tech and it was a great moment, [after shooting them for three years while I was in school and all this season for The News-Star], to see them claim the title of WAC Champion.
Louisiana Tech football has provided me with a few interesting moments to document while I was a student there including the secretive coaching change of Derek Dooley.
So last Saturday after getting soaked in the cold annoying rain, wrapping my gear in industrial plastic wrap, and losing a monopod I guess it was worth it…
Go Bulldogs!! Good Luck in San Diego!
Save the ULM Natatorium:
The ULM Nat is in danger of being shut down due to a plethora of problems and needing to be updated.
James Fontenot exercises the University of Louisiana-Monroe Natatorium three times a week.
Christmas Tree (of sorts):
Joe Pepper and his grandson Walt pull a tree through netting at the Pepper Christmas Tree Farm. This particular tree was a Leyland Cypress, a type know for being scentless and great for those that are usually allergic to the classic fir type of Christmas tree.
#OccupyWallStreet:
As soon as I got off the bus in NYC yesterday, I followed tweets about #OWS down to Zuccotti Park, where early that morning police and sanitation workers ejected the protesters and threw away their tents and shelters.
The scene down there is a zoo, so many media outlets, tourists and police. I’m not sure what I feel about the protesters that were there. Some had valid points, but this #occupy push has also attracted a lot of fanatics and well, just crazy people. So much so that I think that they take away a bit from the original intent of the protest.
As I woke up this morning, I checked the news and found out that the police are letting the #OWS folks back into the park, but with no tents, tarps, blankets, etc.
We hiked a bit out at Lake Ontelaunee today. It was fun and saw an alarming amount of canadian geese as we drove to the parking area… alarming if you are scared of canadians or geese… which I am… of geese of course… not canadians.
Having some good times in Pennsylvania with my sis Anne and broself-in-law Nick.
![This gentleman was my seat-mate from Houston to Newark, and did not speak much English… And apart from hauling out my slr, [i tried] but was not able to ask to his picture. The backlight was so cool I could not resist, and thanks to the sneaky…](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54a1c116e4b0f8d712cff04a/1420174803083-899UTO2QJN1IX7UGS9RD/image-asset.png)
This gentleman was my seat-mate from Houston to Newark, and did not speak much English… And apart from hauling out my slr, [i tried] but was not able to ask to his picture. The backlight was so cool I could not resist, and thanks to the sneaky folks at apple I was able to use the up volume button on my earphones to snap a shot without disturbing him further.