december 2nd...

Just in case you missed my post yesterday: Holga, inflatables, Christmas, film. Okay, carry on.

december 1st...the countdown begins!

Things I love: my Holga medium format camera, shooting film, Christmas time, and those big overblown inflatable figures that can typically be found in front of car lots. Well, let's combine all those things in one image and call it done.

enter livingston parish

I picked up the last official roll of film that was devoted to the Livingston project today from the lab. As I held the negatives up to the light in the foyer anticipating what I'd seen, Steven, the guy I've been handing film to and picking film up from for years at Barron Photografix said, "You're the last of the medium format shooters." I laughed to myself thinking that I, oh me of so little, can't be the last. In fact I know I'm not the last by just flipping through a couple of photography magazines you will find another shooter or two still using film, but maybe rare is a more accurate statement. Many of the images are shot digitally, but after I got deep into the project and had a bit more of an idea of the direction I was headed, it was film all the way. Anyway, these two shots aren't my favorites, so who knows if they'll make into the book or not, but I thought they'd be a good send off image to commemorate the end of a personal project that took me so far into the woods, the eyes, and the beauty that south Louisiana is. Even though the image making process is over, I still look forward toward the next step, knowing the final chapter will only be closed after the book hits the shelves. Who knows then what other stories may be told after mine is done. I'd rather think of my story just as one of many others-like a puzzle piece fitting in with the rest of what makes the parish the place that it is, the people that live there, and the feeling of home.

posted

There aren't many billboards down the back roads of rural south Louisiana. What there is a lot of are posted signs. Most everywhere people are marking off their territory and their land to let you know these woods are not to be trespassed upon, hunted within, or explored throughout, for any means necessary. The problem with the message they send out is that no one listens to them. And that old adage about being "prosecuted on site"-in Livingston Parish you'll more likely be invited in for a pot of coffee. Reasons why I love the place.

down south

My personal project focusing on Livingston Parish is slowly dying down. Over the past seven years I've brought my camera gear along on all the trips back home for holidays, birthdays, weddings, getaways, to wake up early in the morning and hit the road, camera in the passenger seat beside me, and whatever I found along the way. Often the road would bring me old buildings, old churches. Some pictures were planned, shots of my old school, shots of my grandparents, and I had a blast capturing every image. Knocking on doors, meeting the folks whose property I was traipsing around, visiting with those whose old broken down car interested me. A lot of times they didn't understand it, but still kind enough to let me do my thing. This image is not the last image I took, but the journey is nearing its end. This spring I plan to drive back and capture a few more portraits that I lack in telling the story of the place I grew up. And after that, a new one begins as I write and piece together images and stories and search for a publisher who's willing to help me make my book a reality. I hope everyone has enjoyed these images as much as I've enjoyed getting out there and making them, and when the book is complete my true goal is to have told a story about Louisiana that doesn't come from the department of tourism. Louisiana isn't just New Orleans. Louisiana isn't just fishing and hunting. Louisiana is a sort of diamond in the rough, and to find it, all one has to do is drive a few miles down the road and knock on a door or two, have a cup of coffee, and sit out on the porch.

morning reflection

Sorry for the long absence. My computer contracted an awesome virus and I've been fighting with it's aftereffects, even after having it scanned and fixed. I've been trying to post a new blog since this weekend, but it was blocking me from even viewing the blogger homepage. Anyway, today I'm posting a very interesting shot taken with the best camera on Earth-the Holga. This was taken early once cold morning at my mother in laws house. The actual image was a bit underexposed, as I new it would be, but I put it under in photoshop and was able to bring it back to life. Enjoy, more to come (finally)...

scenes from texas II

Quickie: wildflowers down the street, shot with the Hola, awesome.

scenes from texas

More shots from the Holga! Don't even remember where I took this at, that's how long film sits in my Holga sometimes.

creepy burgers

Clown Burgers off of Haltom Road may want to update their sign. This is the freakiest clown I've ever seen, he definitely is not selling me burgers...he's selling me nightmares. Shot with the Holga.

the livingston parish fair

One thing I've been trying to capture since I began my ongoing project focused on Livingston Parish is the fair. Growing up the fair played a big part of my life, being the place I hung out with friends, learned lessons about winning and losing and giving it my best, getting into trouble, getting out of it, and so much more. A lot of memories come from being at the fair and visiting it again, years later, was almost surreal because not a lot has changed. In fact, mostly nothing has except the faces of those that attend. Anyway, prepare for the greatness that is the Livingston Parish Fair captured with none other than my Holga. This post is also dedicated to my best friend Rocky, who was there with me every step I took here, I'm sure you'll find these photos all too familiar.

independence day

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I made a photograph calendar that was entirely taken with the Holga. For a festive post I dug up those old photographs that I used for the month of July and have decided to post them here. I didn't have this blog at the time, so they'll be new to some of you, but just a little reminder for those of you that have seen my work for a while. I hope everyone had a good holiday and were able to blow something up.

quickie

Quick post. Happy Fourth everyone!!

mineral wells-meet holga

Not too long ago I posted some great images taken in a little town called Mineral Wells. On that day I took my Holga along with me and photographed a piece or two of the town with it. Here are those images, untouched, right out of the camera; a town interpreted onto film the only way a Holga can. I love that camera...I do.

downtown

Quick post: Just got some Holga prints back from the lab. This shot I took in downtown Fort Worth. Sweet.

bayou state

Sorry about the lack in updates in this: my little part of the blogosphere, but quite honestly I just haven't been shooting much lately. Been too busy working for The Man. Today, though, I embark on another trip to the great state of Louisiana for a bridal shoot. Maybe you'll see some more from the Louisiana Project as well. We'll just have to wait and see what I find. This image will carry me through the weekend, I'll post something at the beginning of next week!